It doesn’t take a prophetic gift to predict that Beth Gibbons’ first solo album “Lives Outgrown” will be high on this year’s best lists. The Portishead singer’s songs are too impressive and delicately flowing.
Gibbons also presented them live at a few select concerts this year. This also included an appearance in the historic Richelieu building of the French National Library. The “gentle, psychedelic-pastoral explosion,” as the record was described, finds a wonderful echo here.
Songs like “Floating On A Moment” or “Lost Changes” have a similar melancholy to many of Portishead. However, freed from any bitterness. Instead, they carry a mysterious hope within them. The Brit talks about her family, about deep connections to other people and the possibility of being able to change after deep crises.
Live, Beth Gibbons is accompanied by James Ford (produced the album) on drums, jazz bassist Tom Herbert, keyboardist Jason Hazeley, guitarist Eoin Rooney, two violinists and Howard Jacobs on various instruments, including a singing saw. An ensemble that brilliantly brings the sublime nature of Gibbons’ night pieces to life.
The concert runs under the arte series “Passengers” and can be seen on arte on Friday (December 6th) at 11:30 p.m. The gig is also available in the arte media library until November 4th, 2026.