Friday 30/04/10 Gorillaz @ The Roundhouse, London

Out of the thousands of gigs that any discerning music aficionado goes to in their lifetime, there are relatively few that you think you'll remember on your deathbed. The kind of show that, whatever your age, truly invigorates the senses and leaves you agape with childlike fascination. Gorillaz at The Roundhouse was one of these such gigs.

Whereas previous Gorillaz productions have seen Damon Albarn and co. perform behind a screen (a la the 2005 Manchester Operahouse residency), or like on their intimate March tour, very stripped down, the duo of shows at The Roundhouse are a triumphant celebration and heady culmination of the cartoon collective's career thus far. Drafting in their array of guest contributors - Mos Def, De La Soul, Kano, Bobby Womack, Gruff Rhys, Shaun Ryder to name a few – what in the past has been a logistical nightmare is somehow perfectly realised in London tonight.

Devoid of the visual trickery and silhouetted musicians of the past, everyone on stage is joyfully exposed – only a gargantuan LED backdrop of impressive Jamie Hewlett animations to divert the attention. Damon Albarn in his Dennis The Menace-esque striped top is the orchestrator bounding from instrument to instrument to flag waving prop, however, it's The Clash's Paul Simonen and Mick Jones dressed in daft sailor hats that hold most attention. Boyish in their enthusiasm and defying their years, they both prance around the stage with casual abandon, Jones' unmistakable wonky-toothed grin etched on his face and replicated by the audience.

Even in the case of absent friends, each track in the essentially 'greatest hits' set retains its magic. Glorious opener 'Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach' features a specially filmed video of a dapper, nautical Snoop Dogg peering down telescope with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – clearly having the time of their lives - providing music oomph live on stage. Even the conspicuously absent Mark E Smith on 'Gritter Freeze' doesn't  disappoint, his gnarly vocals of “Where's north from here?” complemented by Hewlett's visual alchemy.

Highlights are too many to mention – Kano and Bashy injecting visceral energy on 'White Flag', the serotonin-sapped Shaun Ryder mumbling like a homeless man over 'D.A.R.E', the scintillating vocal partnership of Mos Def and Bobby Womack on 'Stylo' – yet away from the razzmatazz its in the subtle moments that the show truly excels. The gorgeous 'On Melancholy Hill', for example, is a perfect showcase of Damon Albarn's unique talent and voice, Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon adds emotion to 'Empire Ants' while the plaintive Womack ballad 'Cloud Of Unknowing' is genuinely spine-tingling.

Topped off by a rousing rendition of old favourite 'Feel Good Inc.', tonight was a night of epic proportions. Live music truly doesn't get much better than this.

The show in photos: