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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A post shared by Gorillaz (@gorillaz)

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.

The legendary record store existed for only five years between 1991 and 1996 in Newham, east London. The shop had been owned by Mike De Underground, Cool Hand Flex, Uncle 22 and Randall and during five years it became the hot spot for music lovers. 

De Underground was not only a well-known and respected record store but also a recording studio. Famous releases of De Underground Crew include “Melody Madness” and “Six Million Ways To Die“.

London Borough of Newham Heritage Project recognised the store as “one of the cornerstones in the creation of the UK’s famous jungle, drum and bass and hardcore scene“. 

Rendezvous Projects, a ‘community interest company‘ that explores social history posted on Instagram a picture of the plaque with a note: “Massive respect and thanks to all involved with De Underground, it’s been a privilege and delighted to see  @newhamlondon  @newhamheritagemonth recognising your contribution to British culture, our lives are richer for it”. 

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As part of Newham Heritage Month, Rendezvous Projects interviewed people connected with De Underground including founders. They prepared and shared a podcast, a video and an audio series around Sebert Road, where the store was situated. Audio series can be played via QR codes that are attached to streetlights in that area.

An hour podcast called “Crate Digging: The Influence of De Underground Records” is available on Soundcloud. The podcast includes chats with store visitors, producers, DJ’s and passers-by. Famous names included are DJ Hype, DJ Randall, A-Sides and Laura Young to name a few. You can listen to the podcast below.

Record Store Days are being celebrated throughout June and July 2021. More info you can find on their official Twitter and official website.