Gorillaz

metabolism in 1998, have seen their animated ways capture the fascination of a public thirsty for music that is fresh while garnering admiration from peers clamoring to escape realties` confines and joint in the collective.

Touring with Gorillaz on this Run To Plastic Beach World Tour are N.E.R.D. The beat makers from Virginia Beach are promoting their upcoming record Nothing. Led by Pharrell Williams, N.E.R.D`s rousing set included cuts off the new album as good as favorites. And while club hits like Rockstar and Lapdance got the girls screaming and shakin` their asses it was the new material that impressed and showed the band`s growth. Pharrell has graduated from simply relying on his swagger and sex appeal in his execution to displaying capabilities as both songwriter and vocalist. No more was this evident than on new tracks God Blame Us All and I See The Light.

It was time for the chief dish. An impressive and slick stage setup was the delicious eye candy with which Gorillaz` grand performance satisfied. A giant screen showcased videos depicting the animated adventures of virtual band members 2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel while below it huge neon letters spelt out the bands name, serving as a background for a massive myriad of music makers. Some of the folks joining Albarn onstage included an eight piece string section, a brass section, four back up vocalists, a 5 piece middle eastern outfit, cameos from hip hop legends De La Soul, Soul singer Bobby Womack and Little Dragon vocalist Yukimi Nagano, not to mention reunited former Clash members Mick Jones and Paul Simonon on guitar and bass respectively.

The medicine and animation, playing out in beautiful synchronicity created a vibrant energy that lasted all night long. The opening rhymings of Snoop Dogg on Welcome To The Creation of The Plastic Beach. Stylo; featuring Bobby Womack on vocals and an ass kicking high speed chasing Bruce Willis on the big screen. White Flag; assisted by some incredible instrumentation from the Arab American players Albarn claimed joined Gorillaz on a gig in Damascus. The mysterious Empire Ants and the great Dirty Harry. The set showcased the sleight of Albarn`s composition while Hewlett`s accompanying animated universe allowed for that foundation to make out and feeling each of the thousands of Rogers Arena patrons in attendance.

With Gorillaz, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have created a grammy winning and platinum selling conceptual form of art. The Flight To Plastic Beach World Tour is redefining what the concert going experience can be. In a word, to experience Gorillaz is to be entertained.

Gavin Reid