Late Night Orchestra Does Massive Attack

Hey PopRockers! We’ve ticked off another gig—and it was a standout. We saw a 12-piece orchestra at The Astor. This wasn’t your standard ensemble; it grooved hard and featured four ARIA winners who owned the stage.

The Late Night Orchestra is touring Australia with a tribute to trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack. You’ll know them from Teardrop and Unfinished Symphony. If you’re into dubstep or electronic music, Massive Attack laid the groundwork.

Before the show, meet the performers:

• Adrian Eagle: Adrian Eagle brings quiet swagger and sharp talent. He’s worked with 360, Rihanna, and The Hilltop Hoods, winning Best Urban Album at the 2019 ARIAs for Clark Griswald. His stage presence was bold and commanding.
• Thndo: Thndo, born in Zimbabwe, is known for her powerful voice. She won the 2019 Breakthrough Artist ARIA and earns standing ovations at every festival—The Astor included.
• Thandi Phoenix: Thandi Phoenix is a force in dance-pop. She’s collaborated with Sigma and Rudimental and broke out with her 2019 debut EP. She’s played the NRL Grand Final and Fire Fight Australia for 75,000 fans.
• Katie Noonan: Katie Noonan moves across pop, rock, dance, opera, and jazz. She won Best Independent Jazz Album or EP, proving her versatility. The Astor stage shone brighter with her on it.

Now that you’ve met the players, let’s get to the show.

The Opening

Once the audience settled and the murmurs faded, a robotic voice echoed from the dark, welcoming everyone to the show. From our balcony seat, we had a clear view of the stage—except for the front row. If the conductor with the voice changer was tucked just below, we missed them.

A haunting violin and piano melody opened the show. Siren-like in its pull, it captured attention instantly. As the kick drum locked in the rhythm, the audience leaned in. The arrangement revealed meticulous preparation, crafted as a perfect teaser for what lay ahead.

Katie Noonan stepped onto the stage to perform Better Things from Massive Attack’s 1994 album Protection. Piano and violin layered over an electric guitar riff gave the track a groove that had fingers tapping across the theatre.

From her first note, Katie proved why her fan base runs deep. Her soft voice carries weight, and she controls it with precision. Respecting Tracey Thorn’s original, she added her own stamp—every note deliberate, every phrase clear.

Thndo followed, shifting the energy. Her rendition of Safe From Harm from the 1991 album Blue Lines brought raw power. Comparing her version to the original is difficult—each delivers impact in its own way.

Drums & Keys

With drums driving the rhythm, keys shimmering, and guitar barely whispering, Thndo stormed the mic. She matched the original’s tone but added her own edge. While the 1991 version leans into softness, even on the chorus, Thndo mirrored that restraint—until the chorus hit. Then she was emphatic. Her message was clear: hurt what’s hers, and she’ll retaliate. It wasn’t aggression—it was a statement of fact.

Adrian Eagle arrived next, offering a contrast. The previous performers brought vocal force; Adrian brought charisma. From the first note, he engaged the crowd.

His take on One Love—also from Blue Lines—delivered classic trip-hop: electronic textures with a hip-hop groove. Swaggering across the stage, arm raised, he guided the crowd to sway along. The hook was catchy, and the audience sang until the final beat.

Thandi Phoenix closed the first section with Sly from Protection. Her performance was a highlight—she needs to record it. Supported by strings and a trip-hop beat, she led the audience on a journey from the opening note.

The chorus marked the peak. On the word “Wandering,” she stretched the syllables like elastic, biting into the phrase and pulling it taut. For anyone on the East Coast, this performance demands to be heard live. A review can’t do it justice.

Interludes And Deep Cuts

One standout feature of the Late Night Orchestra’s performance was how they handled pauses between vocal sets. Instead of silence, they filled the space with seamless instrumentals. These transitions were so smooth, you barely noticed them. A three-minute-plus orchestral piece lit up the stage, giving singers a chance to rest while cooling down the audience.

For anyone who finds orchestras dull, the Late Night Orchestra flips that perception. Their approach makes classical music accessible, even for the casual listener.

Switching gears, Thndo returned to the spotlight with a cover of Lonely Soul, a solo track by Richard Ashcroft, lead singer of The Verve. If you haven’t heard it, you’re missing out—his single packs a punch.

This time, Thndo delivered a more restrained performance. Led by the orchestra, she sang with elegance and control. The original track runs for nine minutes, but Thndo’s delivery made it feel effortless. Her stage presence kept even the most restless audience members locked in.

Still, the instrumentation stole the show. Under soft, colourful lighting, Thndo crooned while the orchestra captivated the crowd like a bug zapper draws flies. The ebb and flow of the arrangement, with violins leaping from note to note, was masterful.

Momentum

Momentum continued with Lately, another track from Massive Attack’s Protection. If you’re a fan of basslines, this one hits hard. Designed to get people moving, it clearly worked, judging by the rumble from the crowd below.

Thndo was in her element, clearly enjoying herself as she moved across the stage. During the chorus, she hit a falsetto that landed perfectly. It wasn’t piercing like Mariah Carey’s emotional riffs, but it had enough lift to make an impact. East Coast listeners—this one should be on the radar if you attend the tour.

As Thndo exited, Thandi Phoenix stepped back in, keeping the groove alive with the titular track Protection. Her performance matched Tracey Thorn’s original, while adding a fresh twist. The blend of ’90s sound with modern flair was on full display.

Thandi maintained the energy with Lately, delivering a sultry and focused performance. You couldn’t look away. Her reputation for commanding the stage is well-earned, and this set proved it again.

Katie Noonan returned with Angel, bringing intensity to the forefront. The contrast between her voice and the heavy instrumentation was awesome. The soundscape felt cinematic, like a showdown between Neo and Agent Smith in a cyberpunk world.

Katie’s versatility shone through. With this performance, she added raw intensity to her already expansive repertoire. Her delivery made Angel feel almost menacing, as if she’d absorbed the track’s darker tones. Katie embraced the song’s edge. It’s no wonder Angel remains a favourite among Massive Attack diehards.

90s Dance Party!

Katie didn’t stray far. After another sharp instrumental interlude, she returned to the stage with Something To Give. The intensity from her previous set had faded; she was back in her operatic element. A slow tempo paired with an acoustic melody gave her full control—this was her domain.

Much like Thndo and Thandi in their choruses, Katie soared in hers. You could tell when the chorus hit—she lifted a single note so high it left jaws hanging in awe.

The set shifted back to covers, diving into the ’90s with Thandi’s rendition of 6 Underground by The Sneaker Pimps. It matched the original in quality, but hearing it live added a new dimension. The theatre’s acoustics elevated the track, pushing its signature sound to another level.

As the show progressed, something clicked. Tracey Thorn’s name had surfaced a few times, sparking a faint memory. It wasn’t until Thndo launched into Missing that it landed—Tracey is the lead singer of British duo Everything But The Girl.

Missing

Thndo’s rendition of their biggest single, Missing turned into a crowd favourite. The audience joined in for the chorus, transforming a reflective track into a communal moment. Thndo’s delivery was her most restrained of the night, yet she added a subtle uptempo twist that worked well.

Next, the audience became the rhythm section for Back To Life by Soul II Soul. The trio of ladies—Katie, Thandi, and Thndo—handled vocals and nailed it. Their harmony was tight, their timing flawless. If a ’90s R&B girl group revival ever happens, these three should lead it. They performed like seasoned collaborators.

Thandi followed with Glory Box by Portishead, a track close to her heart. She previously covered it on Triple J’s Like A Version, and her connection to the song was clear. The performance retained the original’s hypnotic tone and signature melody, but added a sweet guitar solo. Thandi sang with passion and precision, making this a show highlight.

Adrian Eagle closed the covers with the most unexpected pick: Be Thankful For What You Got by William DeVaughn, released in 1974. Many in the crowd hadn’t heard the original—including us—so it felt like an Adrian Eagle original. His trademark swagger was on full display as he belted out this R&B and hip-hop classic. This was a banger, no question.

The Greatest Hits

The final third of the show focused on Massive Attack’s biggest singles, beginning with Teardrop, performed by Katie Noonan. This track carries emotional weight—Elizabeth Fraser wrote the lyrics after learning of her friend Jeff Buckley’s passing. Katie shares a connection to Buckley as well; she’s set to tour later this year, covering his entire discography.

Teardrop is the definitive Massive Attack song. It’s their most recognisable single, famously used as the theme for House and embedded in pop culture. Katie’s rendition matched Elizabeth Fraser’s prime-era vocals with uncanny precision. If Massive Attack ever re-records the track, Katie deserves the call.

This performance stood out—not just for the vocals, but for the orchestra’s seamless transitions. At one point, the arrangement flowed so smoothly that we thought a new song, Fantasy, had begun. Instead, Katie and the Late Night Orchestra were simply riffing until Thndo arrived on stage.

For her final solo of the night, Thndo delivered Unfinished Symphony with full force. Audience claps added to the energy, and her dancing turned the theatre into a celebration. The cheers confirmed it—this was a highlight.

Originally sung by Shara Nelson on Massive Attack’s 1991 album, Unfinished Symphony explores longing and uncertainty in a relationship. Thndo captured that emotion with power and clarity, telling the story through every note.

To close the night, all performers joined for Hymn Of The Big Wheel. A sharp melody and hip-hop-infused beat set the tone. The harmonies were tight, and the chemistry between the singers and the orchestra was undeniable. No one overpowered the other; instead, they moved as one—an entertainment machine in perfect sync.

A performance That Left Us Wanting More

A great performance leaves a lasting impression. As an audience member, you don’t want to sit through something dull or regret spending money on a show that lacks substance. You want to feel something—experience a moment that stays with you long after the final note. Ideally, it’s the kind of night you’ll recall fondly years from now.

Late Night Orchestra delivered that feeling in full. When Hymn Of The Big Wheel wrapped, we found ourselves asking, “Wait, is that it?” The show could’ve continued for hours, and we still wouldn’t have had enough—and not just because The Astor was warm and inviting.

This was a 10-out-of-10 experience. The Orchestra created a night that will linger in the minds of everyone lucky enough to attend. With their sharp eye for talent, they showcased vocal performances so powerful you’ll wonder how you’ve missed these stars until now.

Don’t skip this tour. Seriously—if you do, expect a brutal case of FOMO. This is top-shelf entertainment, and they’re hitting every major city across Australia. Make sure you’re there.