Gorillaz

An amalgamation of music and visual art, this show was the first of three at the Manchester Opera House and is a precursor to the inaugural Manchester International Festival, set for July 2007. Many shows are hindered by bands playing a set identical to the album without deviation in format from the original tracks, but the beauty of this performance lies in the fact that it is a live recreation of the album that manages to supersede it. While the monstrous 24-piece band remain silhouettes in the background, as the large backlit screens artistically project their figures, the long list of cameo Gorillaz take centre stage under the spotlight. The likes of Ike Turner, Roots Manuva and De La Soul grace the stage, while MF Doom and Dennis Hopper are the only featured artists from Demon Days not present. "Dirty Harry” is the pick of the concert, an energetic replica of the Brit Awards show, but the best moment is during the encore when Albarn finally comes out of the shadows for a standing ovation. (EMI)