In lieu of continuing their 2018 North American tour in the Southwest region, Gorillaz continued the one-day music festival “Demon Dayz” in Los Angeles. Named after their second studio album, released in 2005, that went platinum six times in the UK and twice in the US– this is the second time the music festival has run. Last year Demon Dayz first debuted, but in Margate, England. Gorillaz is a British virtual band, so naturally, they began the annual music festival in their homeland.
This year the music festival took place in the Rico Rivera Sports Arena on October 20, 2018, featuring Erykah Badu, Dram, The Internet, Tony Allen, Little Simz, Kilo Kush, Ana Tijoux, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Las Cafeteras, Chulita Vinyl Club and Gorillaz (of course). There was an art installation in the making, a tattoo bus, exclusive Gorillaz merch, food & drink stalls, and a carnival chair swing ride.
If I had one word to describe the one-day festival it would be diverse. From the food to the audience to the artists, there was something for everyone. I saw people from every age group from young children to grandparents. I saw a parent videotape their middle school son vibing out to the Gorillaz set to most likely post on Facebook. There were even furies who mobbed to the front of the crowd. There were grandparents who vibed out on picnic tables and from the comfort of a safe hearing distance.
Most of the audience came for a couple of artists, so it was a great way to expose more people to new music. All of the artists were great, but no one’s sets could compare to Gorillaz. Naturally being the headliner and producer of the festival their set was the best. They projected their animated music videos on the big screens, which was hypnotizing to witness. As a virtual band, all of their music has music videos which display the character in their digital world. The whole festival was quite the experience. You were able to enjoy the main stage music from the carnival ride. You had the choice of sitting or standing in the Living Souls Arena since it was a rodeo ring. A place that had a little something for everyone. Demon Dayz for all.
–Marissa Perez