Live music review: Gorillaz energized Moody Center with a mesmerizing performance
On Friday, September 30, fans of British musical group, Gorillaz, filed into Austin’s new music and event compound, the Moody Center located on the University of Texas campus. The 25,000 capacity arena opened earlier this year with performances by Willie Nelson.
Earth Gang took the stage shortly after 7:30 p.m., warming up the audience for the much-anticipated performance by the Damon Albarn (Blur) virtual band project which depicts Gorillaz as an animated band much like similar, less well-known acts that hail from Japan.
The visual element of Gorillaz is formulated by artist and band co-creator Jamie Hewlett, who’s recently released a book cataloging much of his art via Taschen, while Albarn, provides vocals and production on the musical elements of the “virtual”band.
It was about 9 p.m. when the lights dimmed at the Moody Center and the image of a cartoon, vintage television popped up on the large screen in the backdrop. The words “HELLO” appeared on screen and echoed throughout the full arena. It was the track, “M1 A1,” from the debut Gorillaz album that would open the set.
The Humanz Choir provided backup vocals, with Karl Vanden Bossche working the drums and percussion; Jesse Hackett on keyboards; Femi Koleoso on drums; Seye Adelekan on both acoustic and bass guitars; Jeff Whootton on lead guitar, Mike Smith on keyboards, and front man, Albarn quarterbacking with lead vocals, piano, and a plethora of other instruments.
Michelle Ndegwa stepped from the choir to astound the audience with her clearly impressive vocal chops on ”Kids With Guns”.
“The song, “Andromeda” kicked off with images of a green star system on the screen in the background and concluded with the incorporation of percussion from Bossche, adding an emphatic, rhythmic layer to the song’s already-catchy melody.
2010’s “On Melancholy Hill,” from the groundbreaking Plastic Beach LP, was set to the now classic animated video on the oversized backdrop.
At some point around mid-show, Albarn paused and said, “this is not common, but I’m going to leave the stage for about 30 seconds.” Once to the side of the stage, he put on a large, pink, hooded robe. He then returned to center stage, holding a large staff. Albarn then called up two audience members to join him in what show-goers inferred would be some sort of ritual, and was a wedding-engagement proposal. It was a sweet, spontaneous moment in an otherwise carefully-planned run of show.
The encore began with “New Gold,” featuring Tame Impala — who appeared via background video, and LA-based Bootie Brown (Pharcyde), who also appeared in “Dirty Harry” and covered Mos Def’s lyrics on “Stylo.” The patrons packing the auditorium were pleasantly surprised with what followed.
De La Soul made a guest appearance in real life, introducing collaborative number, “Feel Good Inc.”
The night came to a close when Albarn hit random notes on a melodica that became increasingly recognizable with each note, and would lead into the track, “Clint Eastwood.”
It’s not possible to “pin” Gorillaz onto a specific genre or monochromatic style. They are a music project that seems to have no limits to conceptualizing innovative ideas both visually and musically. The result is a fun, often contemplative combination of world and dance music, funk, soul, hip-hop, and punk — a collective stew of sounds set to innovative animation. Exploring themes of unity, individuality , and rebellion against invasive authority, Gorillaz at The Moody Center last week served as a celebration of all the various creative concepts they present.
Set List:
A1 M1
Last Living Souls
Tranz
White Light
Tomorrow Comes Today
19/2000
Rhinestone Eyes
Cracker Island
O Green Island
On Melancholy Hill
El Manana
New Genius
Empire Ants
Skinny Ape
Kids With Guns
Opium
Andromeda
Dirty Harry
Dare!
Momentary Bliss
Cloud Of Unknowing
Plastic Beach
Encore:
New Gold
Stylo
Feel Good Inc
Clint Eastwood
All photos by Michael Maly
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