Gorillaz Review: Gorillaz Not in the Mist, They in Melbourne

Gorillaz – July 24 2022 at John Cain Arena, Melbourne Kokomo is not known for regretting much in his life. But way back in 2010, Koko missed Gorillaz when they toured for Plastic Beach. Koko …

Gorillaz-Melbourne-Review

Gorillaz – July 24 2022 at John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Kokomo is not known for regretting much in his life. But way back in 2010, Koko missed Gorillaz when they toured for Plastic Beach. Koko has been sad ever since and he spend nigh on 12 years drinking tall cans and raiding elderly medicine cabinets to dull the pain. As 2022 rolled around, Gorillaz skipped Splendour and made it to Melbourne. Koko was ready to right that wrong. And Damon Albarn and Co did not disappoint. 

Gorillaz Deliverz the Goods

The first thing that strike Koko, other than bar prices at Michael Cain Arena, was how much fun Albarn, the band and the audience have. At times, the balconies were bouncing, and it didn’t take Albarn much to get the crowd up on their feet. Even for a Sunday night show. The venue full of people ready to party. This refreshing for Koko, surrounded by like-minded party dogs. Woof. 

Koko enjoy Gorillaz partner in crime, Jamie Hewlett animation on big screen. Visuals of Murdoc, 2-D, Noodle and Russel keep experience interesting. Almost like watching cartoons on MTV, but Koko not eating breakfast cereal while watching. Film clips, new animation, interludes and other weird videos all flowed seamlessly with the real-life music on stage. Koko enjoy this blend of stage and screen, wrapped around his fave Gorillaz hits.   

Koko’s Home Movie – 2 Live tracks (Stylo and Clint Eastwood)

Koko not just watch Damon all night, Koko enjoy watching the rest of the band on stage. The Gorillaz bass player Seye Adalekan rock a Flying V bass of some sort. He almost cooler than Fonzie. He and guitarist Jeff Wootton charge around stage, loving every second as they interact, and bump into Damon and stumble away. The most memorable parts through Koko’s booze fuelled haze was that thick, juicy bass rumbling through the place. It almost trigger involuntary bowel movement. Every song was brought to life and sounded so fresh, even with vocal and musical backing tracks used at times. It didn’t matter, the whole show was top notch and Koko appreciate the damage to his inner lobes.  

Koko’s Highlights

Highlights for Koko include M1 A1 and any track from the self titled Gorillaz album. Tranz from the Now Now, probably the best album from Gorillaz since Demon Days or Plastic Beach was great. Koko love anytime Albarn get behind his piano and delivery slightly different renditions of tracks like O Green World. These versions were better than the album originals. And Koko wonder if Gorillaz will do a live album of tour? He hope so.   

It safe to say, the Demon Days tracks, with those big juicy bass lines, stole the show. The crowd go berserk for most of those tracks, especially for songs like Feel Good Inc and Kids with Guns. And encore set with Stylo, Clint Eastwood and finishing with Track Demon Days was nice send off for Koko.  

Final Thoughts

When Ugly lights come on and Koko go home, he thought that Gorillaz could be his show of the year. And thinking of how Damon, musical genius deliver the goods again. Koko know that Monday Morning hangover pain would be worth it. Now Koko hope not another 12 years before Kings of jungle, Gorillaz, come back soon.

XoXo – Kokomo

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