'Memorable mesmerising' experience; REVIEWS PORTISHEAD Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

Byline: ALISON DAYANI

PORTISHEAD don't do things by half.

They may take their time, like a decade to bring out their long-awaited latest album, Third, but when they finally come up with the goods, you know it is going to be near perfection.

This gig was no different.

An unforgettable experience rather than just a concert.

It felt as though the crowd was being allowed to listen in to a studio session by the Mercury Music Prize winners as they started off with Wicca and moved from track to track with barely a word to the audience.

Beth Gibbons' voice was mesmerising and as hypnotic as the black and white dreamy images of children running through fields and the like on a huge video screen behind them.

The eager crowd soaked up every beat of each song, particularly Glory Box and Mysterons, unusually giving the band the respect of complete silence during each rendition.

But they probably don't know how long it will be before they get to experience such a delight again.

Verdict: *****