In exactly one week, the untouchable Massive Attack will play its first Australian show since 2003. The tour gets going under the stars at Perth’s Kings Park, before moving on to the rest of the country. Having waited seven years for another audience with the trip-hop trailblazers, fans are itching with anticipation.

So, what to expect from Massive Attack’s grand return? Will it be as brooding and politically-charged as those shows to promote 100th Window? ITM got on the phone this week with founding member Grant Marshall – aka Daddy G – to find out what he and his long-time offsider/sparring partner 3D have planned. Turns out even the man himself can’t believe it has been so long between visits.

“Wow, things have changed since 2003,” Marshall laughed. “For us, the visual aspect of Massive Attack is still as important as the aural side. Our live show is quite spectacular.

“We work with a company called UVA [United Visual Artists]. We’ve got this big LED screen behind us that comes with lots of different components. It’s about 30-foot high, 30-foot wide. They scroll with a lot of information and footage – some of it political, some of it trivial, satirical, funny, silly. We’ve also redesigned the light show – D has been working closely with these guys.”

As jealous as it makes us that Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn recently joined Massive Attack onstage in London, Australia isn’t being short-changed for guests. The band is bringing Horace Andy, Martina Topley-Bird and Deborah Miller, who Marshall confirms takes Shara Nelson’s parts on towering classics Safe From Harm and Unfinished Sympathy.

Massive Attack is also looking forward to getting out in the open air for some of the Australian dates. “I hope the outdoor shows are going to be at night,” Marshall joked. “We come from the festival arena, and there’s a certain mystique about playing outdoors.”

Look out for the full interview with Massive Attack on inthemix next week. In the meantime, find out where they fit in ITM’s Guide To Legendary Live Shows.