Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena has seen its fair share of spectacles, but tonight felt like a well-earned celebration of a project that has defined the alternative scene for over two decades. It was a balance of high-concept digital visuals and genuine human connection, a night where virtual avatars shared the stage with a live collective at the top of their game. From the sharp Argentinian rap of Trueno to Damon Albarn’s playful crowd-work, the evening was a steady reminder that behind the screens, Gorillaz remains a grounded and consistently creative force.
Bringing the spirit of Argentina to Nottingham, Trueno delivered a high-energy set alongside his brother Emi and father Pedro. He used his lyrics and on-screen visuals to tell meaningful stories, quickly getting the arena on his side. The defiant “F*CK EL POLICE” got the crowd’s attention early, but the golden-lit “Tierra Zanta” slowed things down to showcase a deeper narrative of Latin American heritage. By the time “CUANDO EL BAJO SUENA” hit under white strobes, the room was bouncing and ready for the main event.
As the house lights dimmed, the orange Gorillaz logo flickered over red digital curtains. The set opened with a journey through a virtual jungle, transitioning into the live debut of “Mountain” and the upbeat groove of “The Happy Dictator.” The production effectively blurred the lines between the live band and their digital counterparts; on “Tranz,”the virtual characters loomed over the stage while live backing vocals added a softer layer to Albarn’s performance.
Even a minor technical “blip” during “19-2000” was handled with humor, as Damon joked about being haunted by “Nottingham ghosts” before joining fans at the barrier to sing the iconic “La-La-La” chorus. The setlist kept things interesting with the surprise tour debut of “Slow Country” and a green-drenched performance of “Rhinestone Eyes,”which isn’t appearing every night of the tour.
The mood shifted for “El Mañana,” with the stage flashing red to match the burning windmill on screen, followed by the nostalgic visuals of “On Melancholy Hill.” The energy picked back up as guests began to join: Yasiin Bey arrived for a spirited “Stylo,” while Bootie Brown led the crowd through a heavy rendition of “Dirty Harry.” Before the finale, Damon shared a personal moment of history, mentioning how his great-grandfather used to push a barrow of vegetables from Nottingham to Lincoln market, a nice nod to his local roots.
The night reached its peak during the encore as Trueno returned to the stage for “The Manifesto,” standing side-by-side with Damon under a single spotlight. The final run of songs was pure energy: “Feel Good Inc.” got the entire arena on its feet, before “Clint Eastwood” closed the night with the Ed Case/Sweetie Ire Refix, leaving the crowd jumping until the very last beat.
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