Gorillaz - Song Machine, Live From Kong, Block9
Online, 2020
Role: Set Designer / Designer for Block9

"2020’s Covid lockdown provided the perfect opportunity for a live-streamed ‘tranzmission’ from the vast, concrete, mega-basement, deep in the bowels of Gorillaz’ legendary Kong Studios and featuring a star-studded cast of guest performers.

Drawing on TV references from the late 1970’s to create something fresh and contemporary, this augmented live broadcast pushes at the limits of the very latest ‘XR’ video technology to bridge the gap between the real and imagined worlds, allowing us, the audience, to move seamlessly between the two. The result is a truly unique mixed reality show. A crazy, dynamic, retro-digital, riot of super-saturated live performance from Damon et al, with holographic guests, chopped-up music videos and VHS-warped character animations.

 

Russel, Noodle, Murdoc and 2D appear live alongside animations of Elton John, holographic performance from Beck, Fatoumata Diawara, JPEGMAFIA & 6lack, and ‘live in the studio’ performance from Robert Smith, Kano, Peter Hook, Georgia, Slowthai, Slaves, Matt Berry and Sweetie Irie."

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“Song Machine Live from Kong [was] a genre straddling success story” - The Guardian

“Gorillaz live at Kong, virtual party, is like a AAA pass to the glitziest celebrity shindig” - NME

“The bonkers virtual extravaganza was the perfect home for Damon Albarn's animated band and their roster of glitzy special guests” - Telegraph