Celebrating their 25th anniversary, virtual band Gorillaz kicks off a four-night London residency at the Copper Box Arena, featuring full-album performances, an interactive exhibition, and hints of new material on the horizon.
Semi-fictional band Gorillaz have launched a sequence of four exclusive London shows by performing their self-titled debut album in its entirety for the first night. The performances are hosted at the House Of Kong venue within the Copper Box Arena at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, marking the band’s debut appearance at this location. This event is part of a broader celebration of the band’s 25th anniversary and features an immersive exhibition that offers fans an interactive, behind-the-scenes journey through Gorillaz’s career, showcasing their innovative musical legacy and virtual persona.
The initial performance, which opened the series on August 29, 2025, included a reordered tracklist starting with “M1 A1” and was accompanied by iconic visuals from the 2000s crafted by artist Jamie Hewlett. Damon Albarn, the band’s frontman, engaged with the audience by reflecting on the album’s impact over the past two decades since its 2001 release. This immersive setting enhances the live experience by blending the original concert ambiance with new visual and artistic elements, delivering a vivid sensory journey representative of the band’s unique artistic identity.
The House Of Kong exhibition, which runs through September 3, 2025, transcends traditional music showcases by integrating gaming stations, live game streams, DJ performances, and exclusive giveaways, effectively fusing the virtual worlds that Gorillaz inhabit with the physical concert experience. This innovative crossover was highlighted by the band’s recent collaboration with the Fortnite Festival, further solidifying their distinctive position at the intersection of music, art, and digital culture. Described by critics as a fully immersive alternate universe, the exhibition underscores Gorillaz’s pioneering role in virtual music entertainment.
Looking ahead, the London Copper Box residency includes three more distinct nights dedicated to revisiting each of Gorillaz’s first three albums in full. The concerts on August 30 and September 2 will feature the complete runs of “Demon Days” (2005) and “Plastic Beach” (2010), respectively, while the finale on September 3 is teased as a “mystery show,” likely featuring new, unreleased material. Albarn has hinted that this final set might unveil songs recorded in multiple languages, aligning with the band’s preparations for a new album planned for release in 2026.
Over twenty-five years, Gorillaz have evolved as an unprecedented virtual band, combining music, animation, and narrative storytelling. With eight albums to date and collaborations with luminaries such as Elton John, Grace Jones, and Bad Bunny, they hold a Guinness World Record as the most successful virtual act. The ongoing House Of Kong exhibition and its supporting live shows offer a rare glimpse into the creative processes and cultural significance behind the Gorillaz phenomenon, making this a pivotal moment for both longstanding fans and new audiences.
Tickets for the exhibition begin at £25, with early access to the four live shows available to holders. The residency stands as a testament to Gorillaz’s enduring influence and innovative spirit within the global music landscape.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/gorillaz-kick-off-run-of-four-london-shows-with-debut-album-in-full/a1442094299.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/gorillaz-damon-albarn-clint-eastwood-london-queen-elizabeth-olympic-park-b1245155.html – Gorillaz commenced a series of four London performances by playing their self-titled debut album in its entirety. This marked their first appearance at the House Of Kong venue within the Copper Box Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The immersive exhibition accompanying the concert offered fans an in-depth look into the band’s career. The performance featured visuals from the 2000s and a rearranged tracklist, beginning with ‘M1 A1’. Damon Albarn, the lead vocalist, engaged with the audience, reflecting on the album’s history and its impact over the years.
- https://www.musicradar.com/artists/shows-festivals/an-immersive-activation-filled-with-gaming-stations-giveaways-live-game-streams-and-dj-performances-gorillaz-announce-london-fortnite-pop-up-event – Gorillaz announced a special pop-up event in London to coincide with their appearance in the Fortnite Festival, a music-centric spin-off of the popular video game. The event is part of the ongoing ‘Gorillaz House Of Kong’ exhibition at London’s Copper Box Arena, running through September 3, 2025. This immersive event features gaming stations, giveaways, live game streaming, and DJ performances, blending the virtual world of Fortnite with the band’s signature style. The exhibition has been critically acclaimed, described as a full sensory experience that immerses visitors into a vivid alternate universe.
- https://www.musicradar.com/artists/bands/were-playing-the-first-album-the-second-album-the-third-album-and-then-the-fourth-one-is-a-mystery-gorillaz-set-to-preview-new-music-at-upcoming-copper-box-gig – Gorillaz, the virtual band led by Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, is preparing to preview new music during a special performance series at London’s Copper Box Arena. As part of their 25th-anniversary celebration, they are hosting the ‘House Of Kong’ exhibition, which runs through September 3, 2025. During the final week, Gorillaz will play four exclusive live shows—each revisiting one of their first three albums, with the fourth show teased as a ‘mystery.’ Albarn hinted that this final set might include unreleased material, aligning with prior statements about being ‘incredibly busy making music’ and suggestions of a new album set for release in 2026, which is expected to feature songs in four different languages.
- https://www.musicradar.com/artists/bands/a-jaunt-behind-the-curtain-of-gorillaz-extraordinary-world-gorillaz-celebrate-their-25th-anniversary-with-a-new-exhibition-and-four-one-off-gigs – To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the virtual band Gorillaz, created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, is launching a special exhibition called ‘House of Kong’ at the Copper Box in London from August 8 to September 3, 2025. The event offers fans a unique interactive experience showcasing the band’s history, musical innovation, and groundbreaking virtual presence. Gorillaz, known for their fictional band members 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, and Noodle, first gained attention with their 2000 release, ‘Tomorrow Comes Today,’ and their 2001 debut album. The exhibition promises behind-the-scenes insights and exclusive content, and ticket holders will receive early access to four limited-capacity live shows on August 29, 30, and September 2 and 3 at the same venue. Over the past 25 years, the band has released eight albums and collaborated with major artists such as Elton John, Grace Jones, and Bad Bunny. They are recognized by Guinness World Records as the most successful virtual act. Exhibition tickets, starting at £25, are available through the band’s official website.
- https://www.nme.com/news/music/gorillaz-to-play-iconic-albums-in-full-at-one-off-london-live-shows-3865125 – Gorillaz have announced a run of four one-off live shows at London’s Copper Box Arena. At the first three shows, the virtual band will play a classic album in full, beginning with their eponymous 2001 debut on August 29. They’ll then play their second album, 2005’s ‘Demon Days,’ in full on August 30, followed by their third album, 2010’s ‘Plastic Beach,’ in full on September 2. The fourth and final Copper Box Arena gig is billed as a ‘not-to-be-missed Mystery Show.’ The mini-residency accompanies the band’s upcoming ‘House of Kong’ exhibition, which runs at Copper Box from August 8 to September 3. Fans who purchase tickets for the exhibition here will gain priority access to buy tickets to the four shows.
- https://copperboxarena.org.uk/events/gorillaz-live-show – The Copper Box Arena in London is set to host a special live performance by Gorillaz on August 29, 2025. This event is a recreation of the band’s early live shows, where they performed their self-titled debut album in full. The performance will feature visuals by Jamie Hewlett and a live band, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience the earliest iteration of Gorillaz live shows. The concert is part of a series of events celebrating the band’s 25th anniversary and coincides with the ‘House of Kong’ exhibition at the same venue.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, detailing events that occurred on August 29, 2025, with no evidence of recycled content.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quote from Damon Albarn, ‘Some of you weren’t born, and all that bollocks,’ is unique to this report, with no prior matches found.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The report originates from the Belfast Telegraph, a reputable UK newspaper. However, cross-referencing with other established outlets like The Standard and MusicRadar reveals similar coverage, suggesting the narrative may be based on a press release. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/gorillaz-damon-albarn-clint-eastwood-london-queen-elizabeth-olympic-park-b1245155.html?utm_source=openai), [musicradar.com](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/shows-festivals/an-immersive-activation-filled-with-gaming-stations-giveaways-live-game-streams-and-dj-performances-gorillaz-announce-london-fortnite-pop-up-event?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The events described align with known schedules and announcements for Gorillaz’s 25th anniversary celebrations, including the ‘House of Kong’ exhibition and the series of live shows at the Copper Box Arena. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/gorillaz-damon-albarn-clint-eastwood-london-queen-elizabeth-olympic-park-b1245155.html?utm_source=openai), [musicradar.com](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/bands/a-jaunt-behind-the-curtain-of-gorillaz-extraordinary-world-gorillaz-celebrate-their-25th-anniversary-with-a-new-exhibition-and-four-one-off-gigs?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The report provides accurate and timely information about Gorillaz’s recent London performances, with no significant issues identified.
