Plastic Beach Live: When Gorillaz Discovered Their Island

      The Copper Box Arena felt like a vessel more than ever last night, its copper walls enclosing 7,500 individuals as they embarked on a journey to the renowned 'Plastic Beach.' Damon Albarn, accompanied by Noodle, Murdoc Niccals, and 2D, along with a full ensemble band dressed as sailors, emerged as the opening music from the album played, showcasing sweeping visuals of the island. The eagerly awaiting crowd was ready for the adventure to begin.

      Kicking things off was the funky, techno-infused "Welcome To The World Of The Plastic Beach," featuring Snoop Dogg. This lively track had the audience moving to its sharp synths, with Snoop appearing on screen in the 2010 video, a recurring presence throughout the evening alongside all 16 collaborators who were not there in person.

      Transitioning from the initial notes into the classic ‘Rhinestone Eyes,’ it became apparent why this album is regarded as Gorillaz’s most fully realized work. Though released in 2010, ‘Plastic Beach’ sounded as fresh as ever, revealing itself through the arena’s excellent acoustics as a timeless masterpiece that defies any specific era. ‘Plastic Beach’ represents a realm. While the debut felt like hazy experiments and ‘Demon Days’ bore a sense of apocalyptic heaviness, Plastic Beach transcended time altogether – a blend of electronic baroque pop that could have originated in any decade or even none at all.

      The audience, consisting of both teens and parents who had grown up with Blur, united as one in response to the album’s environmental themes. The lead single ‘Stylo’ retained the impactful energy that made it an instant classic. Accompanied by heartfelt visuals honoring Bobby Womack, his voice resonated throughout the arena, while the driving beat had everyone on the floor bouncing. This was Gorillaz at their most straightforward, with the band tightly focused and Albarn reveling in the chorus.

      Unexpectedly, ‘Broken’ unveiled the album’s most vulnerable essence and showcased Albarn’s command of the stage. Stripped of collaborations, this piece portrayed pure Albarn at his most raw. His fragile delivery transformed the minimal arrangement into something profoundly moving. It easily stood as his best performance of the night, and eager to perfect it, he reset the band midway to perform it again.

      ‘On Melancholy Hill’ united 7,500 people into a singular swaying mass, its seemingly simple structure entrancing in this context. However, the arrival of ‘Empire Ants’ shifted the atmosphere completely. Anticipation filled the room. Yukimi Nagano’s voice pierced through the mix with crystal clarity, her ethereal delivery elevating the song's second half into a state of pure transcendence. Her vocals reverberated off every surface, creating an experience akin to spirituality.

      ‘White Flag’ concluded the main set, with Bashy joining Albarn on stage to deliver playful verses over the uplifting arrangements of the National Orchestra for Arabic Music. Yet, what followed transformed the evening from a concert into a communal experience. As the final notes faded, Albarn prolonged the outro, picking up an actual white flag and walking straight into the crowd. He moved among them, flag held high, conveying a message of peace to the world, making for a fitting conclusion to a show that examined humanity’s connection with its own discarded remnants.

      Exiting into the night air of Stratford, the Olympic Park felt like coming back from a real journey. Plastic Beach isn’t just an album; it serves as a framework for artistic potential, and last night, the Copper Box became its true sanctuary. Some concerts are merely attended; others are fully experienced. This was a deep immersion into a world that shouldn’t exist within the confines of time but somehow always does.

      —-

      Words: Damola Oladapo

      Photo Credit: As Credited

      —-