During a free concert for NHS workers, Gorillaz unveiled three new tracks.
On the 10th of August, a concert was held in London’s O2 Arena to honour UK public health workers and their families for their efforts during the coronavirus outbreak.
To commemorate the event, three new songs were performed: ‘Meanwhile,’ with emerging vocalist Jelani Blackman, ‘Jimmy Jimmy,’ including British rapper AJ Tracey, and ‘De Ja Vu,’ with Jamaican-born London-based dancehall sensation Alicai Harley.
On the night, a slew of more collaborators showed up. Robert Smith of The Cure stepped to the stage to perform ‘Strange Timez,’ a track from Gorillaz’s ‘Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez’ album from last year.
New Order’s Peter Hook, Popcaan, slowthai, Little Simz, Slaves, De La Soul’s Posdunos, Shaun Ryder and fellow Manchester music icon Rowetta, EARTHGANG, Leee John, and Fatoumata Diawara were also in attendance to perform hits from Gorillaz’s 23-year discography.
The new music from Damon Albarn’s virtual band is “carnival-themed,” which is a welcome change after working on his latest solo album, which will be released in November.
Gorillaz has been announced as one of the headliners for Primavera Sound 2022, which will take place in Barcelona in June next year. In April of this year, the group announced a new collaboration with British design house Fred Perry.
