A sold out Utilita arena witnessed an event not seen very often. The eagerly anticipated Gorillaz making their first appearance in Cardiff blending a beautiful musical and visual compendium of delights and a true connection with the audience so grateful to have grown up in a generation of innovated , human and inventive genius.
Gorillaz is the combination of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett who probably did not expect it to last 25 years, 9 albums and to bridge generations ranging from 14 year olds to Grand parents!
The new album The Mountain features straight away with a stunning versions of The Mountain and Happy Dictator superbly performed by the 13 ,yes 13 musicians on stage creating a journey in music and visual texture that is so easy to drift along. There are so many collaborations on the album and some featured in video on screen including Sparks,Johnny Marr, Idles and Marl E Smith to name a few.
A live appearance by Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals for a joyous version of Superfast Jellyfish with Albarn stating Superfurrys Hometown Unicorn changed his life.
We are treated to older tracks Tranz,Tomorrow comes today and 19/2000, the energy and audience reaction flowing back and for in a packed standing area who have greeted every cartoon character appearance on the screens with cheers.
Albarn says Dioch to the audience and apologies for not learning Welsh, he is both sincere and in wonderment at the reaction and joy the performance gives and ventures several times into the pit to sing and connect with the fans.
There are more vocal guests, Stylo, Damascus, Bootie Brown and of course support act singer Trueno performing on The Manifesto and Feel Good Inc causing a wave of dancing and arm waving.
The evening lasts just under 2 hours which seemed like watching an epic film with an amazing live soundtrack.
The Mountain is quite a special album and well worth listening to on repeat.
The concert itself is just fantastic, a real immersive celebration of music, film and art performed consumately by a real talented stage full of musicians, this is the sort of gig that doesn’t come around often.
Damon Albarn through Blur,The Good,The Bad & The Queen, Solo projects and The Gorillas has become a true eclectic and inspiration icon bringing many talented people together to create memorable experience surfing the generations and thankfully being a lighthouse in a sea of blandness.
Lets hope his inspiration is continued for others to create such interesting ideas and life soundtracks.
TC