Animated Band Gorillaz Comes to Life in Seattle Tonight

It is 2010 and we still do not have flying cars. Even so, we have made leaps and bounds in technology that would astound our great-grandparents, and you will not find a concert more indicative of our technocentric society than Gorillaz. The group that brought us "Clint Eastwood" over a decade ago is a cartoon band and the multi-media music brainchild of former Blur frontman Damon Albarn and Tank Girl co-creator Jamie Hewlett. The character's fictional world spans across various media including the band's website and music videos. Tonight Seattleites will have the opportunity to experience an evening in the Gorillaz' home at the Plastic Beach.

It has been seven months since their latest record, Plastic Beach, was released and it is still arguably one of the better albums of the year, even with all the new competition. The concept album impressed critics as it is more mature and cohesive than their previous records. This is partly because Albarn and Hewlett have grown away from relying on a simple cartoon band as a venue through which they could release playful tunes (like on their debut) and started to view their collaboration for what is truly is - "an organization of people doing new projects." This shift in self-perception freed them to create the darkly ambitious and sprawling engagement of Plastic Beach that blends all manner of musical genres, including, hip-hop, dub, electronic, pop, and indie rock music.

The "Escape to Plastic Beach Tour" will give fans full exposure to the the visual half of the Gorillaz universe. Although the band has always been a collaboration between Hewlett's artwork and Albarn's musical compositions, Hewlett's portion has remained mostly unseen as listening to the music doesn't lend itself to the visual side of the project. Tonight's show will give the visual art its rightful place on large screens displayed above the stage - making a live show the most complete outlet for the concept behind Gorillaz.

So far on stage guest appearances have included Bobby Womack, De La Soul, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon of The Clash, Mos Def, and Lou Reed. Who knows what Albarn has concocted for Seattle's show, but it's safe to say that concertgoers are in for a treat.

7:30 p.m. // KeyArena // $48.50-$89