live | music

thievery corporation | live in milan

FEBRUARY 19, 2017
 

words & images by:  julia ahtijainen

‘Be Careful What You Wish For…’ the moment Shana Halligan sang these words, she had the crowd, one being, one organism - as if that one creature had been waiting six years for her return to the design and fashion capital of the world - Milan.

It was the first line from veteran group Thievery Corporation’s new song, “Love Has No Heart,” an enchanting tune from their freshly released album, The Temple of I & I.  It’s an enchanting compilation, powerful and forward thinking. And judging from the Milan show, it could very well redefine the entire genre of live performance.

The long-awaited follow up to 2014’s Saudade, the new collection’s 15 tracks are inspired by the music and culture of Jamaica, where the band spent much of 2015.

“On the musical map, Jamaica is an entire continent,” the band’s Eric Hilton explained in a statement. “Frankly, we could have spent a year there, soaking up the vibes in the air and the strength and resilience resonating from the people. And for us, the only way to connect with this rich source of inspiration was to work in that environment — to feel the pulse of the place.”

Thievery Corporation was founded in 1995 by Hilton and Rob Garza who - with supporting artists and sounds - amplified dub, reggae, traditional Indian, acid jazz, hip-hop, bossa nova, Middle-Eastern and Brazilian fusions. The band is revered for making each compilation stand out, for simplifying an entirely global approach. It’s no easy feat, avoiding the thin line between genius and that dreaded genre of “World Music.” In its tenure, Thievery Corporation have featured lyrics in Hindi, Romanian, Persian, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian and English, have spoken out politically, and have directly supported human rights and hunger programs. They embrace the global - musically and socially.

No better moment than now to come out with a new statement album. In 2017, Thievery Corporation has blessed the crowd with a good thought and sound.

Back on stage, Halligan followed up and maintained energy with cult classics like “Lebanese Blond” and “The Richest Man In Babylon.” The crowd howled the band back on stage over and over - four times in a row.

The Temple of I & I Tracklist:
01. Thief Rockers (feat. Zee)
02. Letter to the Editor (feat. Racquel Jones)
03. Strike the Root (feat. Notch)
04. Ghetto Matrix (feat. Mr. Lif)
05. True Sons of Zion (feat. Notch)
06. The Temple of I & I
07. Time + Space (feat. Lou Lou Ghelichkhani)
08. Love Has No Heart (feat. Shana Halligan)
09. Lose to Find (feat. Elin Melgarejo)
10. Let the Chalice Blaze
11. Weapons of Distraction (feat. Notch)
12. Road Block (feat. Racquel Jones)
13. Fight to Survive (feat. Mr. Lif)
14. Babylon Falling (feat. Puma)
15. Drop Your Guns (feat. Notch)

Thievery Corporation 2017 Tour Dates:
02/20 – Basel, CH @ Kaserne Basel
02/24 – Berlin, DE @ Astra
02/25 – Prague, CZ @ Roxy
02/26 – Vienna, AT @ Konzerthaus
02/28 – Frankfurt, DE @ Batschkapp
03/01 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
03/02 – Luxembourg, LU @ Dan Atelier
03/04 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique
03/05 – London, UK @ The Roundhouse