Gorillaz are set to perform their iconic first three albums in full at special live shows in London later this year.
The visual-pop pioneers will take to the Copper Box Arena stage for four intimate, one-off shows between August 29 and September 3. The gigs will mark the end of their House of Kong exhibition at the same venue.
Damon Albarn will be joined on stage by the full Gorillaz live band, including the iconic visuals from artist Jamie Hewlett. They intend to recreate the look and feel of shows from past eras and transform the arena back to the times of their first albums.
Kicking off on August 29, the band will perform their self-titled debut album from 2001, which includes classic tracks such as ‘Clint Eastwood’ and ‘Rock The House’.
They will recreate the early shows which intrigued the music world back in 2001, with visual, cartoon members Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D being front and centre with Albarn and co appearing in silhouette behind a screen.
The band will take the same stage the following night as they perform arguably their most successful album ‘Demon Days’. This will mark the first time this record has been played in full since it’s release in 2005.
Including smash hits ‘Feel Good Inc’, ‘Dirty Harry’ and ‘DARE’, this will prove to be an iconic night for the lucky fans who get tickets to the 7,500 capacity gig.
‘Plastic Beach’, the band’s 2010 album, will be the next show on Tuesday September 2. This will be the first full live performance of the record since two sold-out shows at London’s Roundhouse 15 years ago.
Fans will be treated to two of Gorillaz most popular songs that night, with both ‘On Melancholy Hill’ and ‘Rhinestone Eyes’ coming off the 2010 record.
Finally, the band will close the gigs and exhibition with a performance on September 3 which the band described as a ‘Mystery Show’. No details have been shared of this final concert, but fans are speculating whether it may be a show filled with special guests, or even the performance of a brand new album in full.
Earlier this year, Albarn sat down with French magazine Les Inrockuptibles and teased a new Gorillaz album will be released this year. Discussing a new electronic opera the Blur frontman has created, Albarn said: “I’m finishing a new Gorillaz album. One opera and one new Gorillaz album seems like enough for 2025!”
Co-creator and artist for the band, Jamie Hewlett, also seemed to confirm the upcoming release, saying on Instagram: “Yes, the new album is coming out this year.”
The band are marking their 25th anniversary with the ‘House of Kong’ exhibition which is due to run from August 8 to September 3.
The project will give fans the chance to explore the “life of misadventures, musical innovation and ground-breaking visual ways” of Murdoc, 2D, Russel and Noodle.
The exhibition will be open daily from 10:30am to 10pm throughout its run, with tickets available from £25, which you can buy from here.
A ticket to the exhibition will grant you access to the pre-sale for the upcoming gigs. On sale from this Friday (May 30) you can find tickets for the special performances here.
