REVIEW: Gorillaz Nottingham 28.3.2026

There have been previous animated musical groups including Groovie Goolies and The Archie Show, both delivered fun packed cinematic jolly jaunts as rainbowtastic casts go on escapades in their imaginative technicoloured foreign lands. Gorillaz, the brainchild of blur frontman Damon Albarn and visuals visionary Jamie Hewlett bring kawaii characters 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs bounding to life backed by the sort of music to get any generation of listeners gifting warm kudos.

In Nottingham, Damon mentions he has family history from this part of the globe, the 13 piece on stage ensemble create illusions before our eyes, without a wand in site, this is the real deal. Gorillaz latest album The Mountain has been influenced by Albarn visiting the spiritual meka India, evidently deeply moved by his visit enlisting Ajay Prasanna on Flute and Kayam Hussain on Tabla for this live excursion, the results are truly spellbinding. Opening their set with the majestic title track, it’s a piece of music to close your eyes and get lost in the wizardry unfolding, hair on the back of your neck stuff, if the rest of the night is as riveting as this all are in for a treat, and indeed we are.

It would easy for a group the size of this on stage that maybe one ingredient would be found part way through the night to be lacking some cutting edge, far from it, Albarn is the Mad Lizzie workout guru, his natural sanguine onstage energy is infectious to the point Seye Adelekan on bass and the profusely sweating Jeff Wootton on guitar become as equally eager to whip up the throngs, the crowd respond with gusto, all in attendance gleefully receptive to this dazzling spectacle.

The graphics on show are as equally enthralling, from depictions close to the Mancub’s adventures with Baloo, Bagheera and King Louie, plus oft time watched visuals that accompany much loved On Melancholy Hill, Stylo featuring Yasiin Bey plus the added voice presence of dearly departed Bobby Womack and Dirty Harry which includes natty Bootie Brown, all in attendance show their appreciation in the form of loud vocal praise, not only singing along with every word which distinctly pleases Albarn, but equal raptures are saved for 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs, brilliant to behold.

Tonight’s curtain call includes some mighty names, the delightful Kara Jackson graces the stage for Orange County, striking support act Trueno breaks no sweat whilst lending his unique rhythmic lyrical skills to The Manifesto, Pos from the legendary De La Soul spikes the crowd to its feet for Feel Good Inc, and just when you’d thought you’d seen it all Sweetie Irie energises the masses for the final juggernaut of Clint Eastwood / Clint Refix, a deafening BO! is encouraged and duly cited by the 10,000 gatherers, what might be the final nod of approval comes from Albarn as he whips off his jacket he’s been wearing all night and throws it to the ground in a moment of glee that no doubt tonight’s proceedings have firmly lit the touchpaper of satisfaction.

It would be well for all who read this instruction manual following tonight’s performance to either, 1: recall the night you have witnessed with wonderment, or 2: if you haven’t been lucky enough to find a golden ticket for this spectacular Gorillaz circus show, to find one swiftly before the ooz of sticky addictive euphonious sedatives passes you by. You have been warned.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT GORILLAZ.COM