Gorillaz at Rocket Arena

Gorillaz are an English virtual band created in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. The project is centered on four fictional members: 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs. The band’s narrative universe is presented through music videos, interviews, comic-style artwork and animated content. Musically, Albarn is the only permanent contributor, while the project frequently collaborates with a wide range of guest artists. The group’s music incorporates diverse styles including hip hop, electronic music, dub, punk and world music. Their debut album "Gorillaz" was released in 2001 and achieved significant commercial success, supported by the single "Clint Eastwood". The follow-up album "Demon Days" (2005) further increased their popularity, producing several successful singles such as "Feel Good Inc.", "Dare", "Dirty Harry" and "El Manana". The third album "Plastic Beach" (2010) explored environmental themes and featured an expanded list of collaborators. Later that year, the album "The Fall" was recorded largely on a portable device during a tour and released on 25 December 2010. In 2015, Remi Kabaka Jr, who had previously voiced Russel Hobbs, became a permanent producer for the band. The album "Humanz" (2017) marked their return after a seven-year hiatus and included numerous guest contributions. Its follow-up, "The Now Now" (2018), featured fewer collaborators and focused more on Albarn’s vocals. In 2020, the band launched the "Song Machine" project, a web series releasing episodic singles with accompanying videos, culminating in the album "Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez". Their eighth studio album, "Cracker Island" (2023), received generally positive reviews. The ninth album, "The Mountain" (2026), drew inspiration from Indian music and culture and was widely praised by critics. Gorillaz have presented live performances in various formats, including early shows where the musicians performed behind screens displaying animated visuals, and later tours featuring a fully visible live band. The project has received multiple awards, including a Grammy Award, MTV Video Music Awards, an NME Award and several MTV Europe Music Awards, as well as numerous nominations at the Brit Awards. The concept for Gorillaz originated when Albarn and Hewlett sought to create a virtual band as a commentary on contemporary popular music and media culture. Recording for the debut album took place between 1998 and 2000, incorporating influences that differed from Albarn’s previous work. The album’s success established a pattern of cross-genre experimentation and collaboration that has continued throughout the project’s history. Following the success of "Demon Days", the band explored darker thematic material and limited live performances to a series of staged concerts. Subsequent releases, including remix albums, compilations and multimedia projects, expanded the fictional universe. The production of "Plastic Beach" marked a shift toward a broader collaborative model and conceptual storytelling. After internal tensions led to a hiatus beginning in 2012, Albarn and Hewlett resumed work on Gorillaz in the mid-2010s. The resulting albums continued to combine contemporary musical influences with conceptual narratives. The "Song Machine" project introduced a serialized release format, reflecting changes in music distribution and consumption. In the early 2020s, the band continued touring internationally and releasing new material, including collaborations with a wide range of artists. "Cracker Island" and its associated performances demonstrated a continuation of the project’s established style, while incorporating new influences. The release of "The Mountain" in 2026 marked another evolution in the band’s musical direction, with critics noting its thematic cohesion and stylistic development. Throughout its history, Gorillaz has combined music, visual art and narrative elements, maintaining a distinctive identity as a virtual band while adapting to changes in the music industry and digital media. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorillaz Studio albums Gorillaz (2001) Demon Days (2005) Plastic Beach (2010) The Fall (2010) Humanz (2017) The Now Now (2018) Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez (2020) Cracker Island (2023) The Mountain (2026)

Simbiatu "Simbi" Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, better known by her stage name Little Simz, is an English rapper and actress. She rose to prominence with the independent release of her first three albums: A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons (2015), Stillness in Wonderland (2016) and Grey Area (2019), the last of which was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and won the awards for Best Album at both the Ivor Novello Awards and the NME Awards.