Gorillaz Deliver Career-Spanning Debut on ‘Saturday Night Live’
The boundary-pushing virtual collective Gorillaz finally graced the iconic Studio 8H stage this weekend. Led by Damon Albarn, the group made their highly anticipated debut as the musical guest on the March 7 episode of Saturday Night Live, hosted by Ryan Gosling.
The performance served as a victory lap for the band’s ninth studio album, The Mountain, which arrived on February 27. The project has already seen massive commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart—marking the group’s third chart-topper in their home country.
A Nostalgic Opening and a Star-Studded Finale
Gorillaz kicked off their first set by reaching back into their archives for “Clint Eastwood,” the definitive single from their 2001 self-titled debut. While the band’s signature animated avatars loomed large on the backdrop, the physical stage was energized by a surprise appearance from Del the Funky Homosapien, who delivered his original verses to the delight of the audience.
For their second performance, Albarn and his collaborators showcased the depth of the new record with “The Moon Cave.” The genre-blending track featured a sophisticated ensemble including legendary singer Asha Puthli, The Roots’ lyricist Black Thought, and sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar, all accompanied by a sweeping live string section.
Surprise Cameos and Upcoming Tour
The musical performances weren’t the only highlights of the evening. During Ryan Gosling’s opening monologue, pop superstar Harry Styles sent the crowd into a frenzy with a surprise cameo. Seated in the audience, Styles became a foil for Gosling’s comedic “panic” as the host jokingly worried the singer was overshadowing his big moment.
Following the release of The Mountain—the successor to 2023’s Cracker Island—Gorillaz will soon embark on their first North American tour in four years. The trek is scheduled to begin on September 17 in Orlando, Florida, eventually concluding with a finale in Seattle on Halloween night.
