Gorillaz second album Demon Days was one of the best of 2005, receiving critical acclaim across the board. Like any other band, they had to tour the album, but there was one minor hurdle; the band’s members- Noodles, 2D, Murdoc Nicalls and Russell Hobbs- don’t actually exist- they are, in fact, the artistic creation of Blur frontman Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. You would assume this to be something of a stumbling block for anyone else- but nothing gets past these guys.

Demon Days Live, taken from their five-night residency at the Manchester Opera house, is a recital of the whole album, in its entirety, in order. The strange thing about the show is the aforementioned virtual band members don’t feature as heavily as they possibly should; instead, one screen shows off visualisations and animations, courtesy of Mr. Hewlett, surrounded by coloured screens containing shadows of the ‘real’ musicians, most recognisably Albarn sat at his piano.

Before the screens, the stage is filled by a roster of orchestras, choirs and guest vocalists including De La Soul, Martina Topley-Bird and Neneh Cherry.

Highlights from the front of the stage have to be the moment when the lights come up to reveal around 30 casually dressed (although for this you could read ‘scruffy’) schoolchildren singing the hit single Dirty Harry, some them completely out of tune, but who cares? They look as though they’re enjoying themselves more than anyone and the encouraging and heartfelt round of applause from the bewildered Manchester crowd and the Shadow of Albarn confirms my opinions. Another highlight has to be the single DARE, led by slightly sozzled Happy Monday Shaun Ryder, stumbling his way through the song seemingly not knowing where he is, while co-vocalist Rosie Wilson tries her best to retain some sense of credibility.

The show draws to a (false) close with Don’t Get lost In Heaven and Demon Days, featuring the happy, smiley tones of Manchester Gospel Choir, and as the curtain comes down it leaves you wondering if there really was room for an encore- and a glance to the top balcony confirms. Two 3D Gorillaz are sat like the Muppets’ Statler and Waldorf, egging the crown on, before the curtain rises for an encore of Hong Kong and previous album track Latin Simone.

This performance so vibrant and colourful that it puts most other bog-standard gigs to shame, it’s a revolutionary idea, maybe the future of live music, and if nothing else, a conclusive antidote to the image-driven boy bands of the day.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older