The concert began with support from Argentine rapper Trueno. As he features alongside Proof on ‘The Manifesto’, he was a perfect fit to set the tone of the night. The set was dynamic and high energy, with the crowd gradually becoming increasingly invested as the songs progressed. His lyrics were often anti-establishment and full of pride for his country, both of which felt authentic and passionate. It’s clear Trueno has a deep love of hip-hop. Multiple of his tracks had samples from classic hip-hop tracks, such as ‘Still D.R.E.’ by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog.
Moving on to the main act, Gorillaz definitely did not disappoint. The setlist was a perfectly curated mix of old and new. I particularly enjoyed how the tracks were spread out. It felt as though fans who were more interested in a select era never had to wait too long for another they could enjoy. Whilst classics such as ‘Clint Eastwood’ and ‘On Melancholy Hill’ were played, there were also some interesting, lesser-known picks. ‘Slow Country’ from the band’s debut album pleasantly surprised me. It’s not often that arena-level bands pull out such a random pick from their discography.
Of course, Jamie Hewlett’s presence was felt through the huge screens displaying impressive visuals and beautiful music videos. I’ve always been a fan of his artwork for the band in their early years, yet I feel as though some of his latest work with them is a major high point for him. The art ties into the Indian influence of the latest record with respect and admiration for the culture. The colour palette looked incredible projected onto the stage. It’s also important to note how a lot of his work for ‘The Mountain’ is hand-drawn. It feels like the perfect way to demonstrate the intricacy of human-made art in a world where AI is more prevalent than ever.
The collection of musicians on stage was all talented and an important part of making this night so special. The backing vocals, led by Angel Williams Silvera, were consistently on point and working as one to fill the sound. The diverse and rich sound of Gorillaz was further perfected by musicians such as Ajay Prasanna on flute and Kayam Hussain on tabla. The performers felt so full of interesting sounds. This is something that makes the group so special and important. Furthermore, the band is known for its tracks featuring a myriad of artists. Bootie Brown came out for his part in ‘Dirty Harry,’ which was met by an eruption of applause and cheers. He was far from the only special guest. With the likes of Yasiin Bey and Pos from De La Soul also making appearances.
The night as a whole was joyous. The crowd never stopped dancing, cheering, and joining in to their favourite tracks. It really did feel like a celebration of talented artists and wonderful music. The Mountain Tour isn’t over yet, with dates across the world being advertised until the end of the year. They are a band that is absolutely worth a watch. With slight tweaks to the setlist every night, it’s enjoyable to get a few surprises here and there. However, no matter what songs they play, they’ll be sure to put on an incredible and vibrant show.
Emily Teague
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