Gorillaz Reveal ‘The Mountain’ Album, UK & Ireland Tour, and Theatrical Single with Sparks

Get ready for Gorillaz’s upcoming album ‘The Mountain,’ featuring a star-studded lineup and an exciting UK & Ireland tour kicking off in 2026.

A New Chapter for Gorillaz: The Mountain Unveiled

If you’re a Gorillaz fan like me, you know that every new project from Damon Albarn’s animated band is a journey worth taking. This time, the band has officially announced their ninth studio album, The Mountain, set to drop on March 20, 2026. It marks a fresh start as the first release on their own label, KONG. The buzz was already palpable after the band debuted the album during four secretive gigs at London’s Copper Box Arena earlier this month — where fans were phone-free, adding a tantalizing layer of mystery.

Gorillaz band photo from their announcement event.

Alongside the album announcement, Gorillaz shared the first single, “The Happy Dictator,” a theatrical and poignant collaboration with Sparks. Damon Albarn’s lyric, “No more bad news, so you can sleep well at night and the palace of your mind will be bright,” really struck a chord with me. It’s the kind of poetic yet accessible line that makes you want to press repeat immediately.

“No more bad news, so you can sleep well at night and the palace of your mind will be bright.” — Damon Albarn

Give a listen to this theatrical single below and let the cinematic vibes wash over you:

The Mountain Tour: A UK & Ireland Celebration

What’s better than a new Gorillaz album? Seeing them live, of course! The band has announced an extensive UK and Ireland tour starting in March 2026. The tour hits iconic venues across the region, including a massive headline show at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (yes, the football stadium!), with support from Sparks and Trueno.

Here’s a peek at the full tour lineup:

March Dates

• 21 – Co-op Live, Manchester
• 22 – BP Pulse Live, Birmingham
• 24 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow (support from Trueno)
• 25 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
• 27 – Utilitia Arena, Cardiff (support from Trueno)
• 28 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham (support from Trueno)
• 29 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool (support from Trueno)
• 31 – SSE Arena, Belfast

April Date

• 1 – 3Arena, Dublin (support from Trueno)

June Grand Finale

• 20 – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London (support from Sparks and Trueno)

Gorillaz gearing up for the new album and tour.

Tickets will surely be snapped up quickly, so keep an eye out if you want to catch this spectacular show.

A Rich Tapestry of Collaborators and Soundscapes

The Mountain promises to be an ambitious sonic adventure, packed with a dazzling cast of collaborators. From hip-hop legends to world music icons, the guest list reads like a musical world tour:

• Black Thought
• Omar Souleyman
• Asha Puthli
• Asha Bhosle
• Sparks
• Gruff Rhys
• Kara Jackson
• Yasiin Bey
• Paul Simonon
• IDLES’ Joe Talbot
• Johnny Marr
• Ajay Prasanna
• Trueno
• Anoushka Shankar

And the list doesn’t stop there. The London Arab Orchestra, Demon Strings, Chris Storr, James Copus, and Matthew Gunner provide lush musical textures. Plus, posthumous contributions come from legendary voices like Dennis Hopper, Bobby Womack, Dave Jolicoeur (De La Soul), Tony Allen, Proof, and Mark E Smith of The Fall—dubbed “Voices from Elsewhere.”

Album cover artwork for Gorillaz's ‘The Mountain’.

The album spans five languages—Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba—making it a truly global experience. Fans who caught the Copper Box gigs mentioned the album is “heavy on Indian tunes” with rich South Asian, Middle Eastern, and other world music influences. The new direction couldn’t be more exciting for longtime fans craving something fresh yet deeply immersive.

The Mountain Tracklist: A Musical Journey

Here’s the full tracklist, giving a glimpse into the musical odyssey ahead:

1. The Mountain (feat. Dennis Hopper, Ajay Prasanna, Anoushka Shankar, Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash)
2. The Moon Cave (feat. Asha Puthli, Bobby Womack, Dave Jolicoeur, Jalen Ngonda, Black Thought)
3. The Happy Dictator (feat. Sparks)
4. The Hardest Thing (feat. Tony Allen)
5. Orange County (feat. Bizarrap, Kara Jackson, Anoushka Shankar)
6. The God of Lying (feat. IDLES)
7. The Empty Dream Machine (feat. Black Thought, Johnny Marr, Anoushka Shankar)
8. The Manifesto (feat. Trueno, Proof)
9. The Plastic Guru (feat. Johnny Marr, Anoushka Shankar)
10. Delirium (feat. Mark E. Smith)
11. Damascus (feat. Omar Souleyman, Yasiin Bey)
12. The Shadowy Light (feat. Asha Bhosle, Gruff Rhys, Ajay Prasanna, Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash)
13. Casablanca (feat. Paul Simonon, Johnny Marr)
14. The Sweet Prince (feat. Ajay Prasanna, Johnny Marr, Anoushka Shankar)
15. The Sad God (feat. Black Thought, Ajay Prasanna, Anoushka Shankar)

Behind the Scenes: The Story of The Mountain

The album’s narrative is just as compelling as its music. According to the press release, the fictional Gorillaz band members—Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, 2D, and Noodle, the brainchildren of artist Jamie Hewlett—are portrayed as having retreated to India. Turning their backs on international pop fame, they now dive deep into “mystical music-making.” For longtime fans, this evolution is fascinating, reflecting the band’s ever-changing identity and willingness to explore new cultural ground.

Fans at the London gigs noticed some stunning visuals too, including artwork reimagining Murdoc as a Hindu deity with blue skin and prayer beads—a striking symbol of the band’s new direction.

Leaked image from the show: Murdoc as a Hindu deity with blue skin and prayer beads.

The Copper Box Arena residency was particularly special, celebrating Gorillaz's 25th anniversary with full-album performances of their classic works like their debut album and Plastic Beach. Those shows brought out deep cuts and surprises like live performances of “Double Bass” and “Ghost Train” for the first time ever, plus tracks from The Fall.

Looking Ahead: Kong Studios and Beyond

The excitement doesn’t stop with The Mountain and the tour. Gorillaz are also set to relaunch their iconic Kong Studios as an online video game, bringing new ways for fans to engage with the band’s virtual universe.

This past summer’s House of Kong exhibition offered an intimate look into the band’s creative world, giving fans a peek behind the curtain of their unique multimedia narrative. It’s clear that Gorillaz are continuing to push boundaries—not just musically, but across pop culture and digital innovation.

Conclusion

The Mountain promises to be a landmark album, blending global sounds, legendary collaborators, and the unmistakable Gorillaz aesthetic. Whether you’re drawn to the theatrical flair of “The Happy Dictator” or excited to catch them live on tour, this is shaping up to be a truly unforgettable era for the band. So, what do you think? Are you ready to climb The Mountain with Gorillaz?

FAQ

• When is Gorillaz’s ‘The Mountain’ album releasing?
  The album is scheduled for release on March 20, 2026.
• Which artists collaborate on ‘The Mountain’?
  The album features Black Thought, Sparks, Omar Souleyman, Asha Bhosle, Johnny Marr, Yasiin Bey, and many others.
• What languages are featured on the album?
  Songs are performed in Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba.
• When and where is the Gorillaz 2026 UK & Ireland tour?
  The tour runs from March 21 to April 1, with a grand finale at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20, 2026.
• What is unique about the album’s theme?
  The fictional band members retreat to India, focusing on mystical music-making and incorporating diverse cultural influences.

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