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Review: Gorillaz deliver stunning live show at Dreamland in Margate, streamed live on Red Bull TV

Gorillaz was a show that made you Feel Good (Inc).

The four-piece band are best known for their 2D visuals and cartoon appearance, with their music videos often edging on post-apocalyptic and dark themes.

Demon Dayz gave Margate's Dreamland a dystopian feel as characters dressed in black robes, carrying bells and blue flags, milled around and brought in music fans by their thousands.

Music lovers enjoying the sunshine
Music lovers enjoying the sunshine

The one-day festival’s ticket price included all the rides but if you didn’t want to wait to go the Scenic Railway rollercoaster, there were a host of other performers set across the three stages – the main stage, Hall By The Sea and the Roller Rink.

These included grime forefather Kano, who delivered a stomping set with full band backing much to the delight of the crowd and De La Soul, American hip-hop legends who played both new material and real crowd-pleasers with the same boundless energy they’ve always had.

The show was also live-streamed across the world on Red Bull TV, an idea which makes gigs such as these so much more accessible.

Damon Albarn enjoying the crowds
Damon Albarn enjoying the crowds

Gorillaz is the brainchild of Blur’s Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett and their eponymous debut album was released in 2001, meaning they have been a staple of the alternative music scene for well over a decade.

This show marked their first return to the stage since their 2010 Plastic Beach world tour.

Since bounding onto the music scene with hits such as Clint Eastwood and Dirty Harry, the band have won numerous awards, most notably being recognised by Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Successful Virtual Act.

Gorillaz
Gorillaz

Dreamland set off the eagerly anticipated return of the band brilliantly, with 2-D (vocals), Noodle (guitar), Russel Hobbs (drums) and Murdoc Niccals (bass) taking to the stage to a deafening roar from the 15,000-strong crowd.

They whisked through songs from their new album Humanz, punctuated with guest vocalist after guest vocalist including the majority of the acts who appear on the album.

Damon Albarn breezed across the stage as he belted out song after song, often through a distorted microphone that gives them their distinctive sound, whilst running down to the barrier to the audience.

Gorillaz headed to the Kent coast yesterday
Gorillaz headed to the Kent coast yesterday

They played hits including new single We Got The Power, Stylo, and Dare, in which video star Shaun Ryder joined the band on stage.

They really did Margate justice, with Dreamland proving to be an incredible live music venue once again - the return of Gorillaz is nothing short of brilliant.

The oddest thing about it all? Seeing real people on stage, not just the animated characters.

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