Gorillaz flop at Apollo

By Mick Stingley

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) – Things did not go well for
the so-called “virtual band” Gorillaz at Harlem’s Apollo
Theater Sunday. The first of five sold-out shows at the
historic New York venue was marred by technical problems.
Visuals were scrapped, reducing the production to a mediocre
revue of the multiplatinum album “Demon Days” (Virgin).

A conciliatory Damon Albarn announced, “We’ve been trying
to rectify the problems, but it really is a dream come true to
play the Apollo.” Billed as “Demon Days Live,” the performance
was intended to be a spectacle combining the artistic efforts
of illustrator Jamie Hewlett and singer (and Blur frontman)
Albarn, who comprise the 2-D pop act. Minus Hewlett’s videos,
what remained was a lackluster performance that relied on a
host of musicians and special guests to perform the album in
its entirety.

With almost 30 musicians onstage (including a 14-piece
string section and Albarn in silhouette on piano), the show
began with “Last Living Souls.” The ersatz orchestra delivered
a lush sound, but absent the graphics that helped propel the
band to worldwide success, much of the music was sadly
one-dimensional.

Albarn and company remained seated during the show, focused
on playing. There was no levity and seemingly less enthusiasm
coming off the stage, as the performance seemed strained and
rehearsed. This orchestra without actors was reliant on the
arrival of musical guests to uplift the songs beyond mere
recitation.

Neneh Cherry disappointed on “Kids With Guns,” offering a
weak imitation of the chorus of Salt-N-Pepa hit “Push It” and
nothing more. De La Soul delivered some welcome relief on the
contagious hit “Feel Good Inc.,” as they hammed it up on the
crowded stage. But a piano solo from R&B legend Ike Turner on
“Every Planet We Reach Is Dead” was all too brief, and rappers
MF Doom and Bootie Brown did little to elevate the evening, as
they were quickly hustled on and off for their songs. Happy
Mondays singer Shaun Ryder seemed as lost as Shane MacGowan at
an AA meeting on “DARE”; his haphazard staggering was more
enjoyable than his muddled vocals.

The show ended after a scant 70 minutes. Gorillaz’s
ambitious evening of music and visuals, sans the latter, could
not live up to its digital cartoon hype and was little more
than a tepid talent show. Hopefully the group will rectify the
problems for the remaining performances. But for members of the
first night’s audience, who paid as much as $70 for a ticket,
one wonders what might have been.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter