Livestream Preview: Gorillaz @ Kong Studios, 12/12-12/13/20

Posted on 12/08/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Damon Albarn, downtempo, England, Gorillaz, LIVENow, livestream, Manchester.

Gorillaz (Art by Jamie Hewlett)

Gorillaz, the biggest virtual band on the planet, make a live return this weekend with three separate fully live shows performed from the basement of Kong Studios on the Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13.

Gorillaz Song Machine Live From Kong is a full scale production blending exciting real time performance with Jamie Hewlett’s unique animation. The Gorillaz 14-piece band, led by Damon Albarn with 2D, Noodle, Murdoc Niccals, and Russel Hobbs, will also be joined by some very special guests.

Song of the Day: The Valley of the Pagans” by Gorillaz featuring Beck

Posted on 11/06/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Beck, downtempo, England, Gorillaz, Manchester, Song of the Day.

Gorillaz (Art by Jamie Hewlett)

Gorillaz now drop “The Valley of the Pagans,” featuring Beck, the latest episode from the critically acclaimed ever-evolving Song Machine, which has seen Gorillaz take us through 2020 with a myriad of sounds, styles, genres, and attitudes from a breath-taking line-up of guest artists captured live in Kong Studios and beyond.

Song of the Day: “The Ascent of the Ascended” by Tim Burgess

Posted on 10/22/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Britpop, England, Manchester, Song of the Day, The Charlatans, Tim Burgess.

Tim Burgess (Photo by Nik Void)

Having last month announced news of his new 6-track EP, Ascent of the Ascended (out Nov. 27 via Bella Union), Tim Burgess shares a video-of-the year contender for the title track “The Ascent of the Ascended,” directed by Tim Pope.

Song of the Day: “The Pink Phantom” by Gorillaz featuring Elton John and 6LACK

Posted on 10/01/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged 6LACK, downtempo, Elton John, England, Gorillaz, Manchester, Song of the Day.

2-D and Elton John (Art courtesy Nasty Little Man)

“The Pink Phantom” featuring Elton John and 6LACK is the latest episode of Song Machine and sees Gorillaz joined by a unique combination of talent in the one and only Elton John — as you have never seen him before! — and GRAMMY-nominated Atlanta rapper 6LACK.

Song of the Day: “Strange Timez” by Gorillaz featuring Robert Smith

Posted on 09/10/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged downtempo, England, Gorillaz, Manchester, Song of the Day.

Gorillaz (Art by Jamie Hewlett)

Pretty much every time Gorillaz releases a song during the pandemic, we name it our Song of the Day.

And so it goes with “Strange Timez” by Gorillaz featuring Robert Smith, a combination you may have been waiting for ever since Gorillaz began collaborating with inspirational artists to make songs (which has been since their very first tune)!

Song of the Day: “Pac-Man” by Gorillaz featuring ScHoolboy Q

Posted on 07/27/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged downtempo, England, Gorillaz, hip hop, Manchester, rap, ScHoolboy Q.

Gorillaz with ScHoolBoy Q (Art courtesy Nasty Little Man)

It’s no secret by now that Gorillaz are making some of the most alluring music of the pandemic. With the animated band’s Song Machine project, 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel are turning out banger after banger with special guest stars.

Gorillaz’s latest is no exception as the band team with American rapper ScHoolboy Q for “Pac-Man.”

Song of the Day: “Prisoners” by Doves

Posted on 07/10/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Doves, England, Manchester, post-Britpop, Song of the Day.

Doves (Photo by Jon Shard)

Doves recently revealed their first new music in 11 years and broke their silence on new album rumors by announcing their long awaited fifth studio album, The Universal Want, set for release on Sept. 11 through IMPERIAL in the United States.

Buoyed by refreshed chemistry, restless studio creativity, and public reaction to their return, Doves have set free the album’s first single, “Prisoners.”

Song of the Day: “Friday 13th” by Gorillaz featuring Octavian

Posted on 06/10/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged downtempo, England, Gorillaz, Manchester, Song of the Day, trip hop.

Gorillaz with Octavian (Photo art courtesy Nasty Little Man)

Animated downtempo ensemble Gorillaz has been soundtracking the pandemic lockdown here at Parklife DC, and that’s A-OK.

Gorillaz have turned to virtual studio Song Machine to fill the air with new music and good vibes to counter the coronavirus, and the fourth episode of the band’s new series is called “Friday 13th,” a hypnotic meditation featuring French-British rapper and singer Octavian (winner of the coveted BBC Sound of 2019) along with a video self-filmed at home during lockdown.

Song of the Day: “How Far” by Gorillaz featuring Tony Allen and Skepta

Posted on 05/05/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Afrobeat, downtempo, England, Gorillaz, Manchester, Song of the Day, Tony Allen.

Gorillaz (Photo by Bernard Benant; Art courtesy Nasty Little Man)

Tony Allen died aged 79 of an aortic aneurysm on April 30. He of course was a co-creator of Afrobeat, the fusion of funk, jazz, and African styles that he produced in Nigeria in partnership with Fela Kuti in the late ’60s and ’70s.

Animated downtempo quartet Gorillaz featured Tony on their latest track “How Far,” taken from their new album Song Machine, and it is our Song of the Day.

Song of the Day: “Aries” by Gorillaz

Posted on 04/17/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged downtempo, England, Gorillaz, Liberation Dance Party, Manchester, Song of the Day.

Gorillaz with creator Damon Albarn, right (Art by co-creator Jamie Hewlett, left.)

“Aries” is the third episode of Song Machine from Gorillaz. Featuring the legendary Peter Hook on bass, with alt-pop singer and producer Georgia on drums, “Aries” sees our virtual heroes capture much of the current mood with a soaring affirmation of human connection.

If you like the song, tune into Liberation Dance Party tonight for Gorillaz and more new music. Details below!