Since its creation, the set has sold more than 20 million records and sold out shows on the way. While the multimedia aspects are necessary to the Gorillaz, it's more than just a virtual band - there are sociable and world connections lying deep under all the fun and glam in the show.Until now Damon had put the lot behind the screen, but this spell was pronounced by the fact that everyone played to the movement of the projected video animations. The cinematic views of war and very life mingled in with the stylistic cartoons; the whole presentation was balanced - intelligent, cheeky, and innovative like we had come to look over the years.The full screen videos themselves, of child like delirium and action, displayed above large colour-lit "GORILLAZ" letters,were spectacular, Hewlett's quirky art style with its nuances never seems to go to get an impression. Seeing Mick Jones and Paul Simonon of The Clash, nearly side by side with Damon Albarn in between them, in their famous captain's hats and coordinated with Damon's white zombie maquillage made for the best Halloween ever. Mick looked happy, doing his little dances while playing rhythmic guitar along with the band's main guitarist, Jeff Wootton.
He struck a nice cross between proper English navy captain and zombie pirate. Cool doesn't even get to compensate him. Amusingly, one concertgoer told me, "the guy behind me kept screaming his name in between songs." (I may have been doing the same. As for Paul, in a leather pilot jacket and same captain's hat, with his bass hung so low that the strap touched the support of his knees - he wasn't too dissimilar from his punk days.
The attractive, insouciant rebel edge was very much there in his appearance, the way he moved, and in the electric loaded bass lines that came out of his Fender. Having the two on this spell is very special (another reason not to lose it) and the audience should acknowledge what a rare opportunity it is to see it. Damon was Damon, energetic - quick as a bullet, humorous, as childishly silly as ever, and dangerous when he cherished to be. At one place he held a girl's hand and sang to her, sending jealousy and approval through tens of thousands of fans. His intensely versatile showmanship, and the power to mix and conversion between different genres and cultures was born to him - the bunch was worn to that. It was novel to see a frontman who doesn't need to control the essence of care all of the time, who can have a joke in the back while pouncing on the piano keys and synths close to Mick Jones and the strings section. Obviously Damon is constant captain of this stellar crew and runs a fast ship. It's also fitting to have multiple guests on this tour - from the legendary Bobby Womack joining the group on the soul daze "Cloud of Unknowing," (complete with stained glass windows) and the faublous Rosie Wilson on "19-2000" and "DARE", to "To Binge" sung with sweet Little Dragon, a soft break from the uncontainable hip hop, dance and indie rock n' roll. Damon's ideas and friends are as electic as the splashy music and imagery, it makes sense to admit them in the celebration, especially as 'the more the merrier' applies to the vivid performances. "White Flag" was an especial favorite with the audience (it's great fun to see Mick and Paul shakin' it on this one) - Bashy and Kano did so well rapping with the Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music, and the great white flag waving in the crowd reminded me of a certain U2 moment. Even though the setlist could have been improved, any real faults couldn't be detected, each song was well recieved. Electro noises burned into the layered surface of beats, keys, strings,and guitar as Damon's distinctive monotone drowsy voice connected it alltogethor. Hits delivered towards the end like "Clint Eastwood," "Feel Good Inc." and "DARE" drove the crowd wild, but the Plastic Beach songs like "Glitter Freeze," "Broken", and "Superfast Jellyfish," found new diamond dimensions live.
The vibrant, spontaneous party atmosphere added to the nature of the show. The point was prepared with jack o lanterns for the affair while the Chicago Hypnotic Brass Ensemble donned on hockey goalie masks, and various guests came onstage in hoods and robes. The concert crowds arrived to the company in fantastic Halloween costumes.Some of the interesting ones included the clean up suit man easily seen fromthe bleachers, and the daughter and man wearing wolf heads as hats. TheGorillaz references were inevitable. Many in nautical outfits andcaptains suits, I counted three gorillas that night. Before Gorillaz went on, I view the man outside the Oracle dressed just like Mick/Paul (just as 43342 others were but clearly not to this degree) except in zombie makeup, did a tremendousjob of it, he kept me doing double takes. Then I realised it WAS MickJones, in zombie makeup. Damon told us what we were all feeling -"Tonight, obviously, is bleeding marvelous." This is by far the best Gorillaz tour (their maiden world turn to boot), and last night might perhaps have been one of the best shows so far. It accomplished what it was meant to be - an adventure, an escape through "rhinestone eyes."
More from blogcritics.org
Concert Review: Septeto Nacional, Kingston, Ontario - November 3, 2010
Michael Crichton, 10-23-1942 - 11/4/2008
Tasty Treats for the Season: Tiffany Bean Pot Soup, Famous Chilli, Pumpkin Spice Muffin
View the original article on blogcritics.org
No comments:
Post a Comment