Portishead don’t play some of their songs live because they think the audience “would go to sleep.”

The group’s founder, Geoff Barrow, admits they leave some tracks from their 2008 album ‘Third’ out of performances, because he doesn’t feel they would entertain the audience.

He told Pitchfork.com: “Some tracks from ‘Third’ just don’t translate; so far, we haven’t played ‘Deep Water’ because that’s kind of a weird tune.”

He jokingly added: “And we don’t play ‘Small’ because if we played that and some of the other tracks from ‘Third’, I think people would go to sleep.”

Geoff is historically no fan of playing live shows, but admitted in recent years he has come around to enjoy them more.

He added: “I used to dislike it quite vehemently, but I found a place with it doing the ‘Third’ tour. It hasn’t got to be miserable.

“I’m a lot more interested in playing the ‘Third’ songs than the oldest tracks.”

Geoff also isn’t keen on playing big festivals as it means he has to share the stage with bands he has no appreciation of, such as indie group Coldplay.

He said: “Playing next to Coldplay, with their water cannons or f***ing fireworks or whatever the f**k it is? Come on.”

Portishead curated the bill and played two consecutive nights at the All Tomorrow’s Parties ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’ event at London’s Alexandra Palace this weekend.

The bill also included Swans, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Beach House and Grinderman among others, and the bill will be repeated in New Jersey, US, later this year.