Today’s the real reason for this trip. It’s no secret to my friends I love the band Gorillaz. They decided to do a mini residency in which, each night, they would play one of their albums and nothing but the complete album. To be sure we’re ready to tackle the day, best to fuel up first.
Leaving the subway station you come upon a rough part of London.
Often after the olympic games leave the city struggles to determine what to do with the venues. Tonight’s concert is in the former handball court hall. Before we get there we need to stop by the large, main venue (now professional soccer) along with looking at the famous lookout tower with the speed slide.
Would you choose to enjoy the slides down?
When on vacation and there’s a dessert available; stop and enjoy the flavors.
Gorillaz are unique because they operate less like a traditional band and more like a multimedia orchestra, blending an unusually wide range of genres: hip-hop, rock, electronica, dub, world music, and even classical and jazz textures, into layered, cinematic arrangements. Damon Albarn often structures songs as suites with multiple movements, using choirs, strings, and horns alongside deep bass and electronic rhythms that anchor the sound. Guest collaborators function as instruments in this orchestra, each adding distinct color and character, while the virtual band concept created with artist and bandmate Jamie Hewlett provides a visual and narrative framework that extends the musical experimentation. The result is a project where rhythm, melody, and imagery are orchestrated together, making Gorillaz as much an evolving artistic ensemble as a band.
This is what 8500 attendees look like to enjoy a 2 solid hours of music.
As the description of the band implies, you’re going to savor a full range of emotions from the mixture of so many diverse musical styles and interchanging band members. I couldn’t help but get a bit emotional during the final number (the second video). Tomorrow this trip comes to a conclusion. Back to California.