Gorillaz ignited Tottenham Hotspur Stadium like a spark plug last Saturday, June 20th, as they delivered their highly anticipated debut with an explosion of star-studded talent. It was a night that will be etched in fans' memories for years to come – a testament to the band's enduring appeal and their incredible network of collaborators.
The monumental 30-song setlist kicked off with a bang, courtesy of support slots from Trueno and Sparks, who got the crowd buzzing. Albarn took to the stage, grinning mischievously, "You ready for some silliness?" before launching into the title track from their recent spiritual album, 'The Mountain', featuring Anoushka Shankar on sitar duties.
The show was a masterclass in musical eclecticism, blending new material with beloved classics like 'Tranz' and 'Tomorrow Comes Today'. Sparks joined forces with Gorillaz for a rip-roaring rendition of 'The Happy Dictator', setting the tone for a night that would see some truly unforgettable collaborations – Black Thought and Asha Puthli joining forces on 'The Moon Cave', while Johnny Marr and Paul Simonon brought their respective legacies to the stage.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the tribute to the late Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle, which saw Gorillaz perform 'The Shadowy Light' alongside Gruff Rhys. As fans shone their phone torches in a moving display of solidarity, Zanai Bhosle – Bhosle's granddaughter – delivered her grandmother's vocal parts with heart-wrenching poignancy.
As the night reached its climax, Happy Mondays icon Shaun Ryder and Roses Gabor joined Gorillaz for an electrifying performance of 'DARE', which sent the crowd into raptures. Albarn beamed with gratitude to the audience, praising their diversity and enthusiasm: "Thank you so much for attending this mass gathering of multi-cultural, multi-generational music – we appreciate you."
The evening drew to a close with Albarn bringing all his guests back on stage after the final track, 'Clint Eastwood', in a poignant celebration of community. As he declared, "We love you because we are you," it was clear that this night will be remembered as one of Gorillaz's greatest performances – and a testament to their enduring power to unite people from all walks of life.