Let’s face it – 2010 hasn’t exactly been delivering as far as music is concerned. Most of the new “hip” bands are only marginally entertaining at best and even bands we know and love have been releasing average-at-best albums this year. Luckily, we have Damon Albarn. I have to admit, I’m not much of a Blur fan (I own zero albums by them, but have liked what I’ve heard), but Albarn’s side projects deserve credit for having a unique and interesting sound, and Gorillaz are no different in that regard. With a stagnating year for music, their newest effort Plastic Beach has been a wonderful surprise. It’s difficult to describe the sound. In the simplest terms, it plays like an edgy dance record laced with hip hop but, in the process, the album is imbued with some of the most beautiful songs you’ll ever hear. Albarn knows how to keep his projects fresh and recruits a plethora of artists to help each track on Plastic Beach find its' niche. Also, give the man credit for doing side projects right; he not only reunites one half of the Clash for the title track on the LP, but recruits them for an entire nationwide tour. This is the closest most of us will get to seeing them on stage together again. Well played, sir.
I’m not used to going to big shows. My last show was Gentleman Jesse/Those Darlings at the Kung Fu Necktie. So, finding myself ten rows away from the stage of quite possibly the largest venue in Philadelphia (or just outside of the city, if you prefer), staring at a gigantic screen feels a little out of place, but it’s a welcome change of pace for me.
The biggest joke about Gorillaz is how they’re so persistent in sticking with their story: the real band is animated, the people on stage are just “filling in.” As the lights dim and we see Murdoc’s giant eye on the screen followed by an animated segment about how the “warm-up band” we’re about to see should be done quickly, I lose count of how many people take the stage. With a string section serenading us the intro to Plastic Beach and a horn section accompanying the band, the lights slowly get brighter and the letters GORILLAZ illuminate the stage. The crowd is ecstatic not just to see Snoop Dog on the screen donning a pirate’s outfit and supplementing his parts on “Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach,” but especially to see Albarn. With an animated backing band (pardon the pun, shy Ronnie), all the pieces are in place for a great show.
The performance itself delivers exactly what it promises: an escape to an alternate tropical reality. Although the older Gorillaz material holds its' own, this is a band that’s getting better with each album – so I’m extremely happy with the setlist, which was understandably very Plastic Beach-heavy. Quite possibly the nicest touch is how each original guest takes the stage to help the band through terrific (and loud) versions of songs like “White Flag,” “Rhinestone Eyes,” “Stylo,” “Superfast Jellyfish,” “Empire Ants,” “On Melancholly Hill,” “Cloud of Unknowing,” and “Plastic Beach.” Every song has an accompanying video which not only fits, but heightens the mood perfectly, and it becomes quite obvious that the art and the characters are as much a part of the music and the show as the band itself.
The Escape to Plastic Beach tour is a perfect example of the sum being larger than its' parts and a unique experience that shouldn’t be missed. Do whatever you can to try and make it, but take it from me, just don’t forget your earplugs.
Photos by Cassie Didycz of Hippies Smell Photography (www.flickr.com/photos/hippiessmell/ )
Artist:
www.gorillaz.com/
www.myspace.com/gorillaz
Photos:
Cassie Didycz' photos from Gorillaz' performance at Sasquehanna River Bank, Camden, NJ – October 10, 2010.
Albums:
A plethora of Gorillaz releases are available on Amazon. Buy them here .
