build.gradle under the android directory:
plusConfigurations += project.configurations.compile
should be:
plusConfigurations += [project.configurations.compile ]
....
fyi, this error is repeated for
libgdx-demo-cuboc
libgdx-demo-invaders
libgdx-demo-pax-britannica
libgdx-demo-superjumper
libgdx-demo-vector-pinball
theplanethatcouldntflygood