There are "concerts" and then there is a Gorillaz show; a live musical orgy of almost unheard of touring proportions. Featuring almost all the collaborators on their three proper studio albums, including Clash members Mick Jones and Paul Simonon anchoring the foundation of the compositions, it’s no wonder the ticket prices were so damn expensive. A Gorillaz concert is also a rare commodity, one that rarely tours the states, instead saving their precious live time for the glamour cities of London, New York and Paris.
Everyone knows the story of Gorillaz by now; front-man Damon Albarn (Blur), collaborated with cartoonist Jamie Hewlett to create a “Gorilliaz” sound in itself within a fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of comic book characters. Earlier Gorillaz shows evolved around Albarn and his bandmates playing behind a curtain while virtual band members 2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel were graced with leading man status. This 2010 tour shook it up, as the humans behind the music took front and center.
Albarn at 42. still sports a young brash ‘tude, worked the stage with punk angst, wearing a tight fitting leather jacket over his stage uniform of striped shirt atop pants that fell below his waist. While shouting out the chorus like a man possessed atop stage props during “Last Living Souls” or singing back up with his vocalists during the dance party anthem “Dare,” the man made like a bad pun of his 90’s era band name, while honing the vocal range of a modern day David Bowie.
Albarn played the leader and visionary flawlessly, holding the full stage of 30+ band members as a full-throttle soul revival, rock, dub machine, but it was Simonon who earned the night’s MVP. Holding his bass guitar like an AK47, Joe Strummer’s former got to guy laid some nasty rhythms that gave Gorillaz their bionic rumble. Jones, on the other hand, hiding his balding palette under his uniform captain hat, stung his rhythmic chords in true Big Audio Dynamite fashion with his signature shoulder swing groove.
Aside from the Gorillaz proper band the night also belonged to the guests: Bobby Womack (“Stylo,” “Cloud of Unknowing”), De La Soul (“Superfast Jellyfish,” “Feel Good”), Rosie Wilson (“Dare,” “19/2000”), Little Dragon (“Empire Ants,” “To Binge”), Bootie Brown (“Dirty Harry”) and the nine piece Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (“Welcome to the World of the Plastic Ants,” “Broken"). Relative UK newcomer Daley came out in his best 80’s garb for the world premier of the pop fancy “Doncomatic,” a catchy tune, but one that’s a bit light on its feet for Gorillaz fans.
Yeah, the Gorillaz threw down and it made for of those shows that went by too fast, as the visual and audio stimulation was non stop. These studio caressed songs weren’t built for touring, but Gorillaz did a masterful job of reproducing these complex songs into live A+ winners.
