The charity gig held on 10th August 2021 supported and thanked the nation’s NHS workers who have worked hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the middle of the concert, ticket-holders were treated to live redemptions of the three new collaborative songs. The ‘Clint Eastwood’ performers teamed up with rapper and singer Jelani Blackman on track ‘Meanwhile’, Alicia Harley on the song ‘De Ja Vu’ and finally the British hitmakers joined forces with multi-talented British artist AJ Tracy on brand new track ‘Jimmy Jimmy’

The group took to their Instagram to post photos of the event and their collaborative performances.

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The triumphant event boasted an impressive setlist of 32 songs, the band also shared the stage with various other special guests. Some of music’s most respected and popular artists joined the band to entertain and thank the audience of NHS staff and their families. The Cure’s frontman and pop culture figure Robert Smith joined the group to perform a version of ‘Strange Timez’, a track which Smith featured on from the group’s seventh studio album ‘Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez’, the single was released on 9th September 2020.

Other artists who joined Gorillaz on The O2 stage included rapper Posdunos member of legendary hip-hop group De La Soul, Popcaan, Leee John, actress and singer Fatoumata Diawara, Happy Monday’s members Shaun Ryder and Rowetta, EARTHGANG, Little Simz, singer and DJ Sweetie Irie, Slowthai and Slaves who previously worked together with Gorillaz on track ‘Momentary Bliss’. The group were also joined by a member of another iconic and pioneering group within the dance and electro music genre, Peter Hook from New Order paired with the band in celebrating the healthcare key workers.

The charitable event marked the victorious return for Gorillaz, the group had not helmed a live performance since October 2018. The band have been a staple of the countries’ radio play since their first hit ‘Clint Eastwood‘ released on 5th March 2001. The single reached number four within the UK Singles charts and propelled the virtual band into popularity. The group was formed by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the musician and artist who created the individualistic group which features a mix of animated and non-animated band members.

Damon has spoken to NME regarding the group’s new music, within the interview the musician also hinted that he has been discussing reuniting iconic Brit-pop band Blur, in which he started his musical career. In the interview Albarn revealed the virtual band’s new album’s sound, the singer also teased that the group’s new material will be a throwback to Gorillaz’s debut album ‘Gorillaz’ released in 2001. “Since then I’ve been working on carnival-themed music with Gorillaz with a lot of people from west London, We’re really going back to the spirit of the first record.”

Albarn continued to discuss the new album, whilst comparing the musical process to that taken whilst recording his second solo album ‘The Nearer The Fountain, the More Pure the stream Flows’. “It’s really exciting and we’ve been really enjoying it. It’s a nice kind of counter-balance to ‘The Nearer The Fountain…’, really. I’ve definitely needed a dose of something else after I finished that record. Steel pan drums and Casio MT-40s were always going to be a good cure.”

Although the group has completed both of their London O2 performances, Gorillaz has one more UK appearance this month at the Cornwall festival, Boardmasters, on 14th August 2021.  After their last UK appearance, the group is set to hit the road on their European tour which starts on 29th August 2021 in the Netherlands. UK fans may have missed the band’s August UK dates, but fans can get excited about the new tracks’ possible release with new material being performed live.

The show will not just be the band’s first live performance in two years but will also mark the O2 arena’s reopening, the famous venue was forced to temporally closed its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions which have been put in place due to the health crisis. The free show will be in support of the NHS staff who have proceeded to be on the front lines of the current health crisis, NHS workers and their families will be able to attend the concert by showing their NHS pass along with their tickets. The gig will take place a day before the band’s original rescheduled date on 11th August 2021, the sold-out event will also take place at O2 Arena.

The group took to their Instagram page to announce the news, the post also featured a message of thanks from drummer Russel Hobbs.

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The O2 Arena’s VP and General Manager, Steve Sayer, has also commented on the importance of the show as well as the venue’s excitement to be back at business. “This is such a big moment for us. Our first live show in over 500 days, with one of the UK’s best bands playing to an audience made up of NHS staff and their families. We have missed the fans and live performances so much, we couldn’t be more proud to reopen with this event and to welcome such a great audience.”

The live dates in August will not be the group’s only live performances, the group has also been announced to play at Primavera Sound Festival in 2022. The festival is set to take place at the Parc del Forum located in Barcelona Spain and will be held across two weekends in the month of June. Over the two weekends, 2-4 June 2022 and 9-11 June 2022, ticket-holders will get to see over 400 acts perform. Other acts including Gorillaz on the line up include Lorde, Tame Impala and indie icons The Strokes.

The group consists of non-virtual and virtual members, the non-virtual bandmates include Blur member Damon Albarn, comic book artist Jamie Hewlett and producer Remi Kabaka Jr. The ‘Feel Good Inc’ performers also include virtual and animated bandmates, 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs. The band recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of their debut album ‘Gorillaz’ released on 26th March 2021. The album featured the now-legendary track ‘Clint Eastwood’ which launched the group into immense popularity, the album also gained the group entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. They were included within the impressive roster of achievements as the Most Successful Virtual Band and the album reached a phenomenal 3 million global sales. For this year’s Record Store Day the band also marked their debut album’s birthday celebrations with their participation in the event, the group released a box set of six of their studio albums. The box set was entitled ‘G Collection’ and was a popular item for Record Store Day.

Although the album is rife with elevating electronica, Plastic Beach is no light listening. The exploration of prevalent issues such as environmentalism and climate change gives the album delicious darkness, a mood that Albarn wishes to continue in Plastic Beach 2.

Albarn spoke about Plastic Beach and the album’s pertinence ten years after its release. In a recent interview with Radio.com, Albarn said that “sadly, more than ever the need to keep reminding people that we need to change our habits; to somehow help our climate is really necessary.” Albarn said.

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Time is running out for YOU to get your hands on one of these SIGNED Song Machine Test Pressings, just like 2D. So what are you waiting for?gorill.az/testpress (UK only désolé!) READ ALL ABOUT IT- @Guardian- @nmemagazine- @mojo4music

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Albarn explained his choice to give Plastic Beach a sequel, meditating that “maybe I need to revisit it, really.  I don’t think we can ever leave ‘Plastic Beach’. I’d like to just have an album called ‘Clean Beach’, but at the moment it’s still ‘Plastic Beach’. So Plastic Beach is a nice idea for me creatively but it’s also really depressing…but it’s necessary.”

Following the October 23rd release of Song Machine: Season One, Albarn confirmed today that Gorillaz will go on tour next year. In 2021, the virtual band will embark on their first live tour in two years.  Gorillaz will begin the Song Machine Tour in Köln on June 16th, 2021, and end the tour in London at a show on August 8th. Tickets for the Song Machine Tour are on sale now, and more information regarding this can be found here.

Gorillaz took to social media today to confirm a 2021 tour. The cartoon band shared a snap of the tour dates to Instagram, writing in the caption: “You’ve got ’til MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (GMT) to purchase Song Machine album with a #circleoffriendz pass for first access to Song Machine Tour 2021 tickets!” The post was greeted ecstatically by fans, gathering over 25,000 likes in a few short hours. 

Before beginning their upcoming tour, Gorillaz will end 2020 with a live stream debut of Song Machine: Season One. Gorillaz will play a series of live performances on December 12th and 13th, broadcasting the virtual gigs across three different time zones. 

The upcoming live stream marks the first collaboration between Gorillaz and LIVEnow. Director of LIVEnow Marc Watson relayed his excitement towards the live stream in an official statement. Watson said: “we are really proud to work alongside Gorillaz to create something truly special for fans all around the world. ‘SONG MACHINE LIVE’ will raise the bar on what to expect from live-streamed concerts.”

Song Machine: Season One is out now. The confirmed dates for Gorillaz Song Machine Tour 2021 go as follows:

16/06/2021 – Tanzbrunnen – Köln
18/06 – Parkbϋhne Wuhlheide
01/07 – Rockhal – Luxembourg
11/08 – The O2 – London