Telekom Electronic Beats

The Gorillaz Tour Diary Part 3: Charging Up In Katowice

Last night in Katowice, Gorillaz showed us exactly what they’re made of. Like their previous performances in Warsaw and Budapest, there was a sense from the crowd at MCK that we were all sharing in something truly special: watching a great band in its prime. Damon Albarn is undoubtedly the star of the show, but his charisma is supported by a tight-knit group of players who breathe new life into each and every song. Though these are album showcases, they’re far more than just a one-to-one reproduction. From funky bass licks to cool guitar riffs, we had smiles on our faces from beginning to end.

A lot has to be said for the featured artists, too. Peven Everett’s crooning on “Strobelight” transported us straight to church. Jamie Principle brought a little bit of Chicago magic to the stage. Zebra Katz’s MC work blew our minds during “Out Of Body”. And Jehnny Beth’s powerful belting on “We Got The Power” brought it all home with a strong message of unity.

The band has used each encore to show off some pretty special stuff. Last night we heard “5/4” live for the first time since 2001. We also got to hear the stage debut of “Ticker Tape”, which was a thrill. All this is to say that we’re really excited to see what the band brings to the stage tomorrow at Palladium in Cologne. Be sure to click here to watch the show for yourself via our ultra cool high-tech 360-degree video live stream.

Published June 19, 2017.