Inside Gorillaz’s Epic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Show Featuring Johnny Marr, Little Simz & More

Experience the unforgettable night Gorillaz conquered Tottenham Stadium with legendary guests in a spectacular 30-song setlist.

Gorillaz Take Over Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Their First Ever Stadium Gig

Last Saturday night, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium pulsed with energy as Gorillaz, the brainchild of Damon Albarn, unleashed their very first stadium headlining performance. It was a monumental evening, not just because it marked a major milestone for the band, but for the incredible lineup of guest stars who joined the stage, including Johnny Marr, Little Simz, Shaun Ryder, and many more.

The show came hot on the heels of their stirring new album, The Mountain, which sees Albarn and illustrator Jamie Hewlett exploring themes of loss, renewal, and spirituality. The band had already teased fans with a handful of UK arena shows earlier in the year, but this was their biggest and most ambitious live outing yet.

A Night of Multigenerational, Multicultural Music Magic

Damon Albarn kicked off the night with a cheeky grin, asking the crowd, “You ready for some silliness?” after opening support from Trueno and Sparks. The band’s 30-song set was a masterclass in genre-blending and nostalgia, with special guests appearing throughout to add their unique flair.

The opener was poignant: Anoushka Shankar, who contributed to the album, joined to perform the title track The Mountain. Sparks then returned for the theatrical The Happy Dictator, setting the tone for an extraordinary evening.

From there, Gorillaz dove deep into their discography, firing off classics like Tranz (2018), the moody Tomorrow Comes Today (2001), and the irresistibly catchy 19/2000. Fans were treated to a seamless mix of old favorites and fresh cuts, including Rhinestone Eyes from 2010 and more new tracks from The Mountain.

Star-Studded Performances and Surprises

As the night unfolded, the guest list read like a who’s who of music legends and rising stars. Popcaan brought vibrant energy with a lively rendition of Saturnz Barz. Then, in a stunning collaboration, Black Thought, Asha Puthli, and Anoushka Shankar joined Albarn for the evocative The Moon Cave.

Fans were treated to a rare sight when Johnny Marr, the legendary guitarist from The Smiths, and Paul Simonon of The Clash stepped on stage together to perform Casablanca. They returned later to add their magic to Plastic Beach, giving these songs a powerful live presence.

The set also featured fan favorites such as:

• Empire Ants (with Yukimi)
• El Mañana
• Dirty Harry (featuring Bootie Brown)
• On Melancholy Hill
• Clint Eastwood
• Feel Good Inc. (with Pos and De La Soul)

Adding fresh layers to the performance, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) appeared for Stylo and Damascus alongside Syrian singer Omar Souleyman, blending hip-hop with Middle Eastern influences. Little Simz took over the stage for the rapid-fire Garage Palace, while UK rappers Kano, Bashy, and Lao brought street energy to White Flag.

Check out this dynamic video clip from the night capturing the live energy of ‘DARE’ with Shaun Ryder and Roses Gabor:
https://www.inoreader.com/yt-embed/?v=bw2mSATL1RI

A Touching Tribute to Bollywood Icon Asha Bhosle

One of the most emotional moments came during The Shadowy Light, a tribute to the late Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle, who passed away earlier this year at 92. Bhosle had lent her vocals to the original track, and the live rendition featured the talented Gruff Rhys alongside Bhosle’s granddaughter Zanai, who beautifully performed her grandmother’s parts.

The entire stadium lit up with phone torches as the band paid their respects. Zanai later shared how the song’s themes of loss, acceptance, and spirituality felt like a heartfelt farewell from Asha herself.

The Grand Finale: Shaun Ryder’s Electrifying Closer

As the night reached its climax, Happy Mondays’ frontman Shaun Ryder joined Gorillaz and Roses Gabor to close out with the anthemic DARE. The crowd was buzzing with excitement and gratitude as Damon Albarn affectionately noted, “the logistics are ridiculous for this band,” just before Ryder exited the stage.

Albarn capped off the night by thanking the audience for being part of what he called “this mass gathering of multi-cultural, multi-generational music,” signing off with the heartfelt words: “We love you because we are you.”

Watch another highlight from the show, the iconic performance of Casablanca featuring Johnny Marr and Paul Simonon:
https://www.inoreader.com/yt-embed/?v=z7rEicm24RM

Full Setlist from Gorillaz’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Show

Here’s a complete rundown of the epic 30-song set that thrilled the crowd:

1. The Mountain (Anoushka Shankar)
2. The Happy Dictator (Sparks)
3. Tranz
4. Tomorrow Comes Today
5. 19/2000
6. Rhinestone Eyes
7. Saturnz Barz (Popcaan)
8. The Moon Cave (Black Thought, Asha Puthli, Anoushka Shankar)
9. El Mañana
10. Empire Ants (Yukimi)
11. With Love to an Ex (Moonchild Sanelly)
12. Casablanca (Paul Simonon, Johnny Marr)
13. Delirium
14. Andromeda
15. Desolé (Fatoumata Diawara)
16. Stylo (Yasiin Bey)
17. Damascus (Yasiin Bey, Omar Souleyman)
18. Dirty Harry (Bootie Brown)
19. Garage Palace (Little Simz)
20. White Flag (Kano, Bashy, Lao)
21. The Shadowy Light (Gruff Rhys, Zanai Bhosle)
22. The Sad God (Black Thought, Anoushka Shankar)
23. Cloud of Unknowing
24. Plastic Beach (Paul Simonon, Johnny Marr)
25. On Melancholy Hill
26. Orange County (Kara Jackson, Anoushka Shankar)
27. The Manifesto (Trueno)
28. DARE (Shaun Ryder, Roses Gabor)
29. Feel Good Inc. (Pos, De La Soul)
30. Clint Eastwood

Damon Albarn’s Playful Pre-Show Antics and What’s Next for Gorillaz

Ahead of the historic stadium show, Albarn appeared on The Graham Norton Show performing the single Orange County. Ever the cheeky sports fan, Albarn—known for his love of Chelsea FC—joked about playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, referring to it only as “a large music venue in North London,” much to fans’ amusement.

The Tottenham gig followed their massive Primavera Sound appearance in Barcelona, where they shared the bill with heavyweights like The Cure and Doja Cat. And it’s not slowing down—Gorillaz is gearing up for their first-ever tour dates in India, expanding their global reach.

Reflecting on ‘The Mountain’: Albarn’s Most Personal Album Yet

The Mountain was born from a deeply personal place, written after both Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett experienced the loss of their fathers. Critics praised the album for its elegant tackling of heavy themes like death, renewal, and spiritual growth.

It’s been called “an album that celebrates the love you leave behind, the people you touch, the spirit of giving more than you take, how we’re all the same when it’s done,” capturing the emotional essence of the Gorillaz journey.

Final Thoughts: A Night to Remember

This landmark Tottenham Hotspur Stadium show was a magical fusion of talent, culture, and heartfelt emotion. With a vast array of collaborators and timeless hits, Gorillaz created a concert experience that felt like a celebration of music’s power to unite and inspire.

FAQ

• How many songs did Gorillaz perform at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?
  They played an epic 30-song setlist, blending new material and classics.
• Which notable guests appeared on stage with Gorillaz?
  Johnny Marr, Little Simz, Shaun Ryder, Paul Simonon, Yasiin Bey, Omar Souleyman, and many others.
• Was this Gorillaz’s first stadium show?
  Yes, this was their very first headlining show at a stadium venue.
• Did they perform any tributes during the show?
  Yes, there was a moving tribute to the late Bollywood icon Asha Bhosle during The Shadowy Light.
• What themes are explored in The Mountain album?
  The album touches on loss, acceptance, spirituality, and renewal after personal hardship.

Celebrate the magic of Gorillaz’s iconic night by bringing home a favorite album cover poster from our store. It’s a stylish way to keep the spirit of their groundbreaking music alive in your space. Shop here.