Gorillaz Launch Guest-Filled 25th Anniversary Concerts In London With Complete Album Performances

Gorillaz began a celebration of 25 years of the animated band created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett with the first two concerts of a four-show run at London’s Copper Box Arena. Opening night presented a complete performance of the group’s 2001 self-titled debut album and night two followed with a full rendering of its follow-up, 2005’s Demon Days, while special guests appeared across both concerts.

Gorillaz — the virtual outfit composed of bassist Murdoc Niccals, singer 2D, drummer Russel Hobbs and guitarist Noodle – released their debut single, “Tomorrow Comes Today,” in 2000. The song was included on Gorillaz and performed four songs into Friday’s opening night concert.

Longtime Gorillaz contributor, vocalist Miho Hatori, was onstage throughout the Gorillaz set, providing her Noodle vocals from the album. Many of the songs played on opening night had not made a Gorillaz setlist in many years, some having been shelved for more than two decades, while others made their live debuts.

The encore was built around the G-Sides outtakes “Dracula” and “Ghost Train.” A reprise of the prior played standout “Clint Eastwood” closed the concert with Sweetie Irie taking the stage alongside Albarn.

Saturday’s second 25th anniversary concert followed a similar format to the first, with the Demon Days tracklist the focus of the main set. De La Soul, Bootie Brown and the London Community Gospel Choir joined Gorillaz to recreate their Demon Days parts. Additional participants in the Demon Days show included Ben Castle, Michelle Ndegwa and Skye Edwards. The encore was a trio of D-Sides outtakes.

Along with the four celebratory concerts, which continue tonight and tomorrow, the Gorillaz 25th anniversary exhibition at the Copper Box, House Of Kong, is running concurrently with the shows.

Watch videos of the full Demon Days set and other highlights of the first pair of Gorillaz shows at the Copper Box Arena: