Backstage at Gorillaz' Epic, One-Off Stadium Show: 'The Vibe Is Ridiculous'
Gorillaz played their first-ever stadium show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to mark their 29th anniversary, featuring over 30 musicians from 15 countries. The backstage atmosphere was relaxed and collaborative, with Damon Albarn's humble leadership setting the tone.
Gorillaz delivered a career-spanning two-and-a-half-hour set at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday night, celebrating their 29th anniversary with a multicultural, multimedia extravaganza. The show included more than 30 musicians from 15 different countries, creating a United Nations-like atmosphere backstage.
Damon Albarn admitted he is 'the worst frontman', often forgetting he should be on stage. Yet his laid-back approach fostered a relaxed vibe. South African singer Moonchild Sanelly described the atmosphere as 'ridiculous' and praised Albarn's humility and openness. 'Everybody whose art he admires, he brings them along for the ride,' she said.
Guest performers included Johnny Marr, Sparks, Shaun Ryder, and many others. Co-creator Jamie Hewlett roamed the stadium with a camera crew, shooting a documentary that will blend human musicians with their cartoon counterparts. Gorillaz was originally intended as a one-off project, but Hewlett noted the collaborations and cartoons have kept it alive.
The new album 'The Mountain' deals with grief through the Hindu concept of Samsara—the cycle of birth, life, death, and reincarnation. It features archival recordings of deceased collaborators like Dennis Hopper and rapper Proof. During the concert, a video of Asha Bhosle, who died in April, performed 'The Shadowy Light', while her granddaughter Zanai sang live.
The show was a colorful, emotional journey. Albarn often stepped back to spotlight artists like Little Simz, earning him the title 'conductor of an entire musical ecosystem'. He agreed: 'I can do the frontman thing, but I love being part of a community.'
