Gorillaz Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Synth Riders has announced a new Gorillaz music pack to accompany the debut of the upcoming PlayStation VR2 headset.Players will be able to immerse themselves in the virtual reality rhythm game by taking to a Gorillaz-themed stage called ‘Psycho Road’.The expansion is set to feature tracks from the cartoon band’s upcoming album ‘Cracker Island’, as well as classic tunes including ‘Clint Eastwood’ and ‘Feel Good Inc’.This new music pack will join an already extensive library of more than 100 songs available through Synth Riders.The full tracklist for the new Gorillaz pack is as follows:‘Feel Good Inc’‘Clint Eastwood’‘New Gold’ (feat. Tame Impala and Bootie Brown) ‘Dare’ ‘On Melancholy Hill’‘Cracker Island’ (feat. Thundercat)‘Sleeping Powder’Abraham Aguero, Creative Director of Synth Riders, said: “We’re thrilled to be pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in virtual reality gaming with the launch of our new Gorillaz music pack, the debut of the Synth Riders Remastered Edition for PS VR2, and the introduction of multiplayer features.“We can’t wait for players to experience the game in a whole new way and join the community of Synth Riders fans from around the world.”The Synth Riders Remastered Edition for PS VR2 and PS VR is due to launch on February 22.

Damon Albarn has shared a musical tribute to De La Soul‘s David “Trugoy The Dove” Jolicoeur.The founding member of the hip-hop trio died at the age of 54 yesterday (February 12).  Details about the cause of his death have not yet been released, however the rapper had been suffering from several health issues in recent years.Tributes were paid by the likes Cypress Hill‘s B-Real, Public Enemy‘s Chuck D, JPEGMAFIA and Kaytranada following his death.Now Albarn, who collaborated with the trio on Gorillaz‘s 2005 single ‘Feel Good Inc.’, has shared a short solo piano instrumental in tribute to Trugoy. “A loop for Dave.

Stevie Nicks has spoken about the experience of working with Gorillaz on their forthcoming new album ‘Cracker Island’.The Damon Albarn-led cartoon band are due to release the record on February 24, 2023 via Parlophone (pre-order here). It’ll feature their recent Tame Impala collaboration ‘New Gold’, as well as guest spots from the likes of Bad Bunny, Beck and Thundercat.Nicks will appear on a song called ‘Oil’, and recalled becoming “an honorary Gorilla” during a new interview on Apple Music 1.“Well, I have to tell you, it was really great,” she told Zane Lowe. “Because [‘Cracker Island’ co-producer] Greg Kurstin sent [the song] to me.

Gorillaz and Del the Funky Homosapien performed ‘Rock The House’ live for first time at a gig this week – see footage below.The track appears on Gorillaz’ self-titled debut album from 2001, one of two collaborations between the pair on the record – the other being hit single ‘Clint Eastwood’.In 21 years, they had never played ‘Rock The House’ live together until this week in San Francisco, when they gave the track its first airing at a show at the Chase Center on Wednesday (September 21).After Damon Albarn teased to the crowd that they were set to “play a song we’ve never played before with Del,” they shared the live debut of ‘Rock The House’.See footage of the performance below.Last month, Gorillaz shared details of their new album ‘Cracker Island’ alongside the release of latest single ‘New Gold’ featuring Tame Impala and Bootie Brown.‘Cracker Island’ will be released on February 24, 2023 via Parlophone (pre-order here) and marks the follow-up to 2020’s ‘Song Machine, Season One – Strange Timez‘.The virtual band has a host of collaborators on their eighth studio album including Stevie Nicks, Bad Bunny, Beck, Thundercat, Adeleye Omotayond and the aforementioned Tame Impala and Bootie Brown.It’s produced by eight-time Grammy Award-winning producer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Greg Kurstin along with Gorillaz and Remi Kabaka Jr.Press material about Gorillaz’s new album states: “Originally based at Kong Studios in West London, the group of musical misfits – Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D – have relocated to Silverlake, California as they recruit new members to join The Last Cult in search of the one truth to fix the world. Reports from the Golden State indicate that Murdoc is in love with the lady next door.

In August, Gorillaz premiered a brand new song called "New Gold" at London’s All Points East Festival. The track features Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde and Australian psychedelic rock stars Tame Impala, and quickly got fans of the virtual band very hyped.

Gorillaz headlined London’s All Points East last night (August 19) and debuted a new collaboration with Tame Impala and Bootie Brown – watch them play ‘New Gold’ below.The band played the Victoria Park festival to kick off the second part of their 2022 European tour, and were supported by IDLES, Turnstile, Yves Tumor, Self Esteem, Femi Kuti, Obongjayar, NewDad, Remi Wolf, Gabriels, Ibeyi, Nia Archives and Willow Kayne.During their headline set, they brought out a bounty of special guests including De La Soul, Happy Mondays‘ Shaun Ryder, Popcaan, Moonchild Sanelly and Mos Def.Half way through the set, they then debuted a brand new song called ‘New Gold’, featuring Tame Impala and Bootie Brown.

Gorillaz at All Points East festival this weekend have been unveiled.The animated band will play All Points East at this year’s Victoria Park on August 19 alongside the likes of IDLES, Yves Tumor, Self Esteem, Femi Kuti, Obongjayar, NewDad, Remi Wolf, Gabriels, Turnstile, Ibeyi, Nia Archives and Willow Kayne. You can buy your tickets here.Also joining Gorillaz and the other acts are Kills Birds, Knucks and Ibibio Sound Machine.Gorillaz will appear on the East Stage at 8:55pm, following Turnstile (6.45pm), Pusha T (5.30pm), Femi Kuti (4.25pm), Obongjayar (3.20pm) and Ibibio Sound Machine (2.15pm).The headline set by Gorillaz will most likely hear the virtual band, fronted by Blur‘s Damon Albarn, play their classic hits.

Gorillaz co-creator and animator Jamie Hewlett has announced a new art book called Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee.Hewlett, who founded the cartoon band along with Damon Albarn in 1998, will release the 368-page hardcover title in late November via Z2 Comics. It’s priced at £41.56, and is available to pre-order here.The book contains an oral history of Phoo Action, the TV pilot that was created by Hewlett and Mat Wakeham.

Gorillaz formed, saying that he had hoped to launch his own “cartoon band”.The reclusive singer-songwriter was the only constant member of Felt, who released 10 studio albums between 1982 and 1989. However, he doesn’t appear on the group’s penultimate LP ‘Train Above The City’ (1988).Lawrence went on to launch glam-rock-inspired outfit Denim (they dropped two albums in the 1990s) before forming Mozart Estate (fka Go-Kart Mozart) in ’99.Despite having never achieved commercial success, Lawrence counts Jarvis Cocker and Charlie Brooker as some of his famous fans (Demin bagged a support slot with Pulp in the mid-’90s).During a new interview with The Guardian, Lawrence spoke about Denim’s initial decision to not play gigs as he believed “live music was over” at that time.

Part of what keeps Gorillaz exciting as a pop project is the often surprising roster of collaborators that the animated group bring to play in their world. Funk impresario Thundercat, who plays on the new, hauntingly-titled "Cracker Island," is not exactly a left-turn in the context of Gorillaz team-ups, but it is an exciting one.

Gorillaz have alerted fans to an incoming new single, ‘Cracker Island’, taking to social media to make the announcement.The experimental animated outfit – featuring Blur legend Damon Albarn – shared the news today (June 8), posting a short clip that featured each cartoon “member” of Gorillaz – 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel – alongside the caption “Cracker Island is coming…” and the hashtag #thelastcult.Later, they posted two images – one of 2D and one of the group together – with the caption: “2D is the chosen one…”Though it’s not yet known when ‘Cracker Island’ will drop, a pre-save link for the single can be found here. The track has been performed live during Gorillaz’ current world tour, notably with the inclusion of guest vocals from Thundercat.

Gorillaz have announced details of a North American tour. The animated band, led by Damon Albarn, will hit the road in September with 21 dates in the diary.

Gorillaz have announced details of a North American tour in September and October.These gigs will be the Damon Albarn-led group’s first US and Canadian live dates since 2018 and extends their ongoing world tour, which is currently in South America.Albarn and his 14-piece live band – who will be “aided and abetted by a varying cast of guest performers” – will bring Gorillaz to life across 21 arena shows in the US and Canada, kicking off in Vancouver on September 11.The run will visit such cities as Seattle, Salt Lake City, LA, Austin, Chicago and Boston before wrapping up in Miami on October 23. EARTHGANG will support Gorillaz on all dates except Orlando and Miami, where Jungle will be special guests.Tickets for Gorillaz’s North American tour will go on general sale at 10am local time on Friday (May 20), and you’ll be able to buy tickets here.

Gorillaz and Massive Attack have been announced as two of the headliners of We Love Green Festival 2022.Billed as “the world’s leading sustainable festival”, We Love Green will return after a two-year absence to Bois de Vincennes in Paris on June 2 and 4-5. This year’s festival will also be its 10th anniversary event.Gorillaz will headline We Love Green’s opening night on June 2, before Massive Attack top the bill two days later (June 4).The likes of Phoenix, Mac DeMarco, Amaarae, Disclosure, Bicep, Central Cee, Arlo Parks, Slowthai, Girl In Red and Grimes (DJ set) will also perform – you can see We Love Green’s 2022 line-up so far below.“As much a laboratory pioneering new solutions in sustainable development as a music festival, We Love Green will once again prove its environmental credentials, setting a new gold-standard benchmark for the events industry globally,” the festival stated in a press release.“One of the first major festivals in the world to use 100 per cent renewable energy, We Love Green will be using hydrogen generators at a scale never before seen, in addition to reusable oils such as cooking oil, and will be continuing with its policy of zero single-use plastics.”Tickets for We Love Green 2022, as well as more information about this year’s festival, can be found here.

Loup GarouX have shared their new single, ‘The Illusionist’, as well as details of a new limited edition beer.The group features past Mercury nominee, producer and Libertines collaborator Ed Harcourt, Gorillaz and Senseless Things’ drummer Cass Browne and The Feeling bassist Richard Jones, who formed to create “a visceral and vivid sonic landscape” inspired by the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age and the sound of desert stoner rock.To celebrate the release of their new single, the trio have collaborated with the London-based brewery Signature Brew to produce the ‘Strangerlands’ Wolf Moon Blood Orange IPA.The beer is named after the band’s debut album ‘Strangerlands’, which was released last October. Its name also reflects the fact that it was brewed on the ‘Wolf Moon’, January’s first full moon which is so-called because wolves were more likely to be heard howling at that time.Coincidentally, the ‘Strangerlands’ album was recorded at Harcourt’s home studio, which is known as The Wolf Cabin.The launch will be celebrated with an exclusive show at Signature Brew’s HQ in Blackhorse Road, north London this Friday (February 4) with support from Tom Bright.

Gorillaz have announced an official art book with over 40 guest artists teaming up alongside the band’s co-creator Jamie Hewlett.Released April 2022 via Z2 Comics, The Gorillaz Art Book promises to give fans “new interpretations of 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs in one expansive volume”, with the likes of Jack Black, The Cure’s Robert Smith and Little Dragon all contributing.

Damon Albarn has revealed that he once considered pursuing a political career but was put off after a meeting with Tony Blair.The Blur and Gorillaz frontman recalled a conversation he had with the politician – which took place “before he became Prime Minister” in 1997 – and it left him “terrified”.“Politics is such a murky business.

Gorillaz have teased footage of ‘Désolé’ from the forthcoming Song Machine Live cinema release next month.The clip, which you can watch below, features Fatoumata Diawara and was recorded at the band’s London-based Kong Studios HQ in 2020.

Damon Albarn has admitted that he may have accidentally eaten monkey and dog whilst on tour.The Blur and Gorillaz frontman, who is due hit the road in the UK next month for a special piano tour, is convinced on his previous travels around the world that he ate unusual animals.Speaking to comedian Alan Carr on his Life’s A Beach podcast, he said: “I might have eaten dog in Korea, but I think I’ve also accidentally eaten monkey in Nigeria.

Gorillaz, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Fontaines DC for Flow Festival 2022. They’re joined on the bill by Michael Kiwanuka, Sigrid, Bikini Kill, Little Simz and Princess Nokia.Elsewhere, there’ll be performances from Pau Salieu, Fred Again.., King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, DJ Koze and many more.Tickets for the cancelled 2020 and 2021 editions of Flow Festival will automatically be accepted for next year’s event.

Gorillaz have confirmed details of Song Machine Live From Kong, a live film that will screen in cinemas and movie theaters across the globe for one day only. The live performance was captured at the virtual group's Kong Studios in London and comes with a behind the scenes featurette with unseen interview footage and commentary from Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett.

Gorillaz have announced a 20th anniversary reissue of their self-titled debut album, featuring demos, b-sides and live recordings.The eight-disc ‘Gorillaz (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Vinyl Boxset)’ will bring together the original album, b-side collection ‘G-Sides’ and the dub and reggae remix album ‘Laika Come Home’ which has never been released on vinyl before.Finishing off the collection is a live recording of their 2001 gig from London’s Kentish Town Forum.

Loup GarouX have shared a visceral video for their new single, ‘Gallon Distemper’ – check it out first on NME below.The supergroup features past Mercury nominee, producer and Libertines collaborator Ed Harcourt, Gorillaz and Senseless Things’ drummer Cass Browne and The Feeling bassist Richard Jones, who formed to create “a visceral and vivid sonic landscape” inspired by the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age and the sound of desert stoner rock.The new video comes as the band also release their

Gorillaz have announced a handful of Australian shows, marking their first gigs in the country in more than a decade.The virtual band’s two headline shows sit alongside their previously announced slot at the festival Splendour In The Grass, taking place in Byron Bay, New South Wales in July 2022.

Damon Albarn has revealed that he has collaborated with Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny for a forthcoming Gorillaz project.As reported by Remezcla, Albarn told Warp in an interview that he and Bad Bunny – real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio – linked up while the two were both in Jamaica.“What I love about Gorillaz is that I can bring [in] anyone I want, you know?” he said.

Gorillaz and AJ Tracey have both made their respective debuts on The Tonight Show, performing the song ‘Jimmy Jimmy’ – fittingly enough, for host Jimmy Fallon – on the show last night (September 8).The virtual performance sees Tracey rapping his verses from the song in front of a set of speakers.

Damon Albarn has announced a one-off show in London later this month.The Blur and Gorillaz man will showcase tracks from his new record ‘The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows’ at the Globe Theatre on September 20. Tickets go on sale this Friday (September 10) and you can purchase them here.He will be accompanied by his band and a string quartet for the show.It comes ahead of his new record, which is out on November 12.

Last year, Gorillaz followed up their 2020 project The Now Now with a collection of singles. The songs featured artists like The Cure's Robert Smith, Elton John, Beck, ScHoolboy Q, and slowthai, and eventually were compiled in one full-length project called Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez.

Gorillaz have released a surprise new EP – listen to ‘Meanwhile’, a celebration of Notting Hill Carnival which features AJ Tracey and more, below.The three-track EP, which also features Jelani Blackman and Alicaì Harley, gets its title from Meanwhile Gardens, the site of the band’s first ever live performance, where they played ‘Clint Eastwood’ at the Middle Row Records soundsystem in 2000.Of the new release, Gorillaz frontman 2D said: “Meanwhile Gardens are just round the corner from Memory

Gorillaz debuted three new collaborative tracks and brought out a slew of guest artists.The show was a free event for NHS workers and their families by way of a thank you for their efforts throughout the coronavirus pandemic, coming ahead of a sold-out performance that was announced last year.Early on in the night, The Cure‘s Robert Smith came on stage to perform ‘Strange Timez’, the lead track from their seventh studio album ‘Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez’, released last year.Watch