Massive Attack v Adam Curtis

Adam Curtis’s film drew together threads connecting Russian punk, Jane Fonda in full aerobic flight and the legacy of pop art to illuminate the rise of the managed state; Massive Attack’s live performance provided the emotional weight. Surrounded by screens, audiences of 2,000 a night discovered that buried optimism plus bone-shaking bass made for an awesome intellectual and visceral experience. Massive Attack v Adam Curtis was staged in Mayfield Depot, a former railway station unused since 1986.

‘The marriage of the two… is inspired… It’s a Requiem Mass of sorts. This is a truly pan-sensory and exhausting experience’ The Financial Times


Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Ruhrtriennale International Festival of the Arts and Park Avenue Armory. Produced by Manchester International Festival. In partnership with the BBC. Supported by MIF Commissioning Circle.

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