Gorillaz on Mountain Tour: What Does the Future Hold for the Virtual Band

Gorillaz are about to set off on their worldwide tour to promote their ninth studio album, The Mountain. They will begin touring the UK before travelling across Europe and eventually reach South America, with a final show on December 3rd in Santiago, Chile. 

The brainchild of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz has remained relevant for the better part of 25 years. A ‘virtual band’ that makes use of guest appearances on each of their albums, Gorillaz has always found a way to stay ahead of the times. Adopting the use of modern-day popular musicians and innovative technology to keep their live shows interesting. 

The Longevity of Gorillaz Live Shows

By the very nature of the Gorillaz ‘virtual band’, the live shows are constantly reinventing themselves. They have a variety of guest artists who join them on stage, offering new renditions of classic Gorillaz songs, such as a unique, personalised rap verse on the hit "Feel Good Inc.”

The main consistency in Gorillaz live performances is the use of virtual reality, which streams the cartoon characters Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, 2D, and Russel Hobbs onto the screen for the audience. It is similar technology that is used in other forms of digital entertainment, such as CGI in blockbuster movies or real hosts who are livestreamed onto players' screens at online casinos in the United Kingdom. These livestreams bring themed visuals as well as interactive elements to the game, similar to the Gorillaz earlier shows playing behind a massive screen that emphasised the band's cartoonish visual elements.

The performances have evolved a lot from the early Gorillaz shows, though. Now it is a mix of virtual and live performance, with many musicians on stage (fronted by Albarn) and a backdrop of visuals (such as Gorillaz music videos) that add texture and layers to the performance. 

Where Do Gorillaz Go Next?

In a recent interview, discussing the future of the Gorillaz project, Albarn stated that the band would “never die” and eventually they would plan to “pass it on to the next generation. Why not? The cartoon is more important than the people (behind the scenes)." 

Hewlett echoed this sentiment by saying, “It would be fun to pass it on to a younger team” at some point in the future. “We’ve talked about that a lot.” 

This, in many ways, is another benefit of the virtual band concept that Albarn and Hewlett must have envisioned when they first conceived Gorillaz in 1998 while sharing a flat in London. Not only does a virtual band create opportunities for innovative live shows, but, as cartoons, the ‘members’ of Gorillaz can never age or die, allowing new people to take on the mantle and find new and refreshing ways to reinterpret the band.

This article is a guest contribution. Views expressed are the author’s own.