It will be a ‘powerful live experience, presenting a newly conceived show in 2026’
Tricky performs during day 2 of the BBC 6 Music Festival onstage at Motion on February 13, 2016 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Ollie Millington/Redferns)(Image: Ollie Millington/Redferns)
One of Bristol’s most famous music artists is set to be the first of the homegrown talent from the 1990s to play at the new Bristol Beacon venue, almost 30 years after he cancelled a show there at the last minute.
Tricky is due to play a show at the Bristol Beacon – formerly the Colston Hall – on Sunday, May 17, as part of a European tour, and the venue has already sold out.
The artist from Knowle West will be joined by special guest vocalist Marta Zlakowska for the Sunday evening show, which promises as a ‘bold reimagining of his catalogue’.
Tricky came to prominence initially as a member of Bristol rap group Fresh 4, and also as part of Massive Attack – he collaborated with them on their first album back in 1991 before establishing himself as a solo artist with his debut album Maxinquaye in 1995.
He has kept recording and performing around the world ever since, including notably with the 2008 album Knowle West Boy, and last October released a joint album with Marta Zlakowska called Out the Way.
It will be Tricky’s first appearance at the newly refurbished and renamed Bristol Beacon. While Massive Attack pledged never to play at Bristol’s biggest concert venue while it was named after the notorious Bristol slave trader Edward Colston, Tricky never joined that boycott.
Back in 1998, with the success of his fourth album Angels with Dirty Faces, he had been due to play at the Colston Hall, in what would have been his first big solo show in Bristol.
But in the last week of August that year, he cancelled his UK dates and the European tour after contracting a serious infection – including a scheduled gig at the Colston Hall on October 1..
“It’s a shame,” Tricky said at the time. “I was looking forward to playing my music to the fans in Europe. In particular, playing Bristol for the first time in my life was something I really wanted to do. As soon as I’m feeling better, I plan to be back on the road,” he added.
Now, Tricky is returning, 28 years on, to a sell-out show at the rebuilt venue.
Tricky at the start of a parade of fans from Bristol City and Willem II(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
“Renowned as one of the most innovative and influential artists of the past few decades, Tricky returns to the stage for a powerful live experience, presenting a newly conceived show in 2026,” said a spokesperson for the Bristol Beacon.
“Featuring a striking visual design this performance offers a bold reimagining of his catalogue while showcasing his continued evolution as an artist. Tricky will be joined by special guest vocalist Marta Zlakowska.
“From his groundbreaking debut to his work with Massive Attack and other influential collaborations (PJ Harvey, Björk), Tricky has consistently challenged convention and expanded the boundaries of contemporary music. His artistry has earned admiration across generations, with David Bowie himself counted amongst his fans, praising Tricky’s singular vision and fearless creativity,” she added.