Together with Massive Attack and Tricky, Portishead was part of the triumvirate in Bristol that made trip-hop popular in the early nineties. But what made her unique was the use of elements from cool jazz, acid house and soundtrack samples for her slow, wobbly beats and her atmospheric and seductive sound, which is aimed at a wide audience. In 1998, when they realised that the fans were constantly exchanging live bootlegs, Portishead decided to catch a unique concert.

"Roseland NYC Live" was a top-class one-night stand at the legendary New York City Roseland Ballroom, where Geoff Barrow, Adrian Utley and Beth Gibbons shared the stage with the 35-strong New York Philharmonic Orchestra. These new arrangements increased the dramatic tension to immeasurable proportions and created one of the most breathtaking albums of the genre.