Friday at All Points East 2022: Gorillaz and Damon Albarn open with a local celebration

Blur frontman Damon Albarn has managed to achieve musical immortality in the form of virtual band and chart-toppers Gorillaz. Decades ahead of its time, they first debuted in 1998 as an experimental post-modern music project. In an age of increasingly virtual entertainment, Gorillaz now headline the first night of All Points East in London’s Victoria Park (joined on day one by Idles, Yves Tumor, Self Esteem, Lyle Carner, Knucks and Ibeyi – pictured below), and it’s surprisingly in-touch with reality. With a challenging concept to translate whilst engaging a restless festival crowd for two whole hours, Albarn succeeds for the most part. Less about 2-D or Noodle, it’s focused on the lead himself and a lineup of musical guests: not quite an immersive otherworldly experience, but a thrilling two hours nonetheless. 

The set opens with aerial TV screen graphics and the apt “Hello, is anyone there?” from M1 A1 of the 2001 debut album. The audience is treated to over 20 tracks spanning the years, including a well-received performance of latest release Cracker Island, accompanied by a full band and frequent collaborators. Those lucky enough to properly see the stage can take in the signature animations as well as a plethora of guests including dancehall singer Popcaan for Saturnz Barz, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble for Broken, rapper Mos Def for Stylo and even Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder. If they’re lucky, that is. One of the biggest surprises of the night is the world premiere of new track New Gold featuring Tame Impala ahead of his own All Points East headline set next week. It’s a feast for fans, so it’s a shame some of these standout moments are a bit lost in the festival setup. 

The act’s biggest hits are saved for last, an invigoration after a slightly less engaging middle section. The party restarts with Dirty Harry before a rousing rendition of DARE alongside Ryder and vocalist Rowetta. A new appreciation for the song can certainly be found amid Rowetta’s bounding vocals that bring the chorus to life, with Albarn taking a comfortable backseat. Feel Good Inc is another unsurprising, exploding culmination of the night, with the introductory speech initiating a collective crowd pledge: “I feel strong; I feel confident… I feel good.” At this stage, “good” is an understatement made even better by finale Clint Eastwood – incorporating an extended remix as an electrifying outro.  

“This is the most local gig I’ve ever done in my life,” Albarn admits at the start. It feels like a local celebration from the Whitechapel-born singer, bursting with charismatic stage presence, whether it’s rocking a blue wig or monkey hat donated by fans or singing into a vocoder, toe-to-toe with the crowd. He proves he’s a worthy musician too, with impressive piano and melodica intros interspersed throughout. Albarn has been one of Britain’s most prominent artists for nearly 30 years and will no doubt continue to be, with – or without – Gorillaz.

Bev Lung
Photos: Virginie Viche (gallery) Khali Photography (featured)

For further information and future events visit Gorillaz’s website here.

All Points East is on at Victoria Park from 19^th until 20^th August and from 25^th until 28^th August 2022. For further information visit here.

Watch the video for the single Cracker Island here: