Gorillaz ignite the London stage

Gorillaz Return to the Stage in London

After a hiatus, the virtual band Gorillaz made a triumphant return to the stage in London, performing a series of shows at the Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The band, formed in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, kicked off their comeback with a performance of their self-titled debut album in a different order from the original track list on Friday. The concert was projected onto a screen, with the fictional characters 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, and Noodle taking centre stage.

Gorillaz have collaborated with dozens of high-profile musicians over the years, and this performance was no exception. Soul pioneer Mavis Staples and Elton John were among the artists who joined the band on stage. The London Community Gospel Choir also performed an emotional version of Demon Days during the finale.

Throughout the performance, Gorillaz kept the crowd engaged with a mix of new and old songs. Highlights included Dirty Harry, during which Bootie Brown reprised his rap, and DARE, during which Damon Albarn went into the crowd and threw beer at them. The crowd sang along to the opening salvo of Last Living Souls and Kids With Guns, and De La Soul returned for a performance of Feel Good Inc, one of the album's most popular tracks.

The band played their acclaimed second album Demon Days in east London, and also debuted their first album with a run of gigs at Manchester Opera House. Prior to their most recent Irish performance, Gorillaz played in Malahide in 2018, the O2 in 2010, and the Olympia in 2001. Gorillaz have played four times in Ireland, their most recent outing being at Dublin's 3Arena in August 2022.

Rumours have been circulating that Radiohead is set to release a new LP and embark on a tour in late 2025, with mysterious flyers, the founding of the company "RHEUK25 LLP," and auctioned concert tickets all pointing to their comeback. However, it remains to be seen whether these rumours are true.

In the meantime, Gorillaz continue to push the boundaries of music and entertainment, with their innovative use of technology and collaborations with a wide range of artists. With five UK top 10 singles and two UK number one albums to their name, the band has proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

There is a "mystery show" on Wednesday, rumored to be a preview of new music. Fans will have to wait and see what Gorillaz have in store for them next. After a couple of days, Gorillaz will perform Plastic Beach (2010) on Tuesday.