Sunday 07/09/08 Massive Attack, Santogold @ Becks Fusions 2008, Castlefield Arena, Manchester

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It’s easy to be cynical about big music events staged by beer brands, especially when you fork out your hard-earned only to be hassled by promotional girls, mailing lists and brand overkill everywhere you look. However, when it’s free and it’s headlined by  Massive Attack, then you’re inclined to let these things go.

Taking place in the wonderful and much underused Castlefield Arena, Becks Fusions was supposed to be about bringing art and music together. While the light show that accompanied Massive Attack’s headline performance on Saturday was superb, there was little else in the form of art. A dome made of wooden doors and plywood attracted few admirers and appeared to be a token gesture. It was certainly more about the music.

Once the rain had subsided, Santogold brightened up proceedings with her sassy New York chic and charisma. Clad in a garish jumpsuit, flat cap and shades, Santi White engaged her audience with stunning renditions of 'Les Artistes', 'Lights Out' and 'Creator' bringing widespread nods of recognition and justifying her tag as one of the year’s most credible artists.

As the air of expectation reached saturation level, Mike Pickering made way for headliners, Massive Attack. Opening with 'All I Want', the Bristol trip-hoppers were welcomed like returning heroes, the age range of their audience befitting of a band who have consistently produced timeless music over a 20-year period. New tracks such as 'Red Light' and '16 Seeter', which borrows from Horace Andy’s ‘Girl I love You’, are well-received and serve as sweet appetisers to their as-yet-untitled fifth studio album, but it's crowd-favourites 'Teardrop' and 'Safe From Harm', the latter accompanied by original vocalist, Shara Nelson, which are greeted with the biggest cheers.

Returning to the stage for an encore consisting of the classic 'Unfinished Sympathy', 'Angel' and 'Karmacoma', the only cringe-worthy moment comes as political messages are beamed across the backdrop of the stage. But maybe it is just the most cynical of people who find this a little uneasy and if this is the price we must pay in exchange for seeing great acts for free in Manchester, then let’s hope there are more.

CLICK HERE to see both days of Beck Fusions 2008 in stunning pictures.