The first of two free Gorillaz concerts being held for National Health Service workers at the O2 Arena in London took place last night, and the band, helmed by Damon Albarn, brought on a ton of guests to help celebrate during their massive, 30+ song set.
Listen to your favorite Alternative music now on Audacy and check out our all-new exclusive stations curated for fans, by fans
Immediately following Gorillaz's opening number, the always enigmatic singer for The Cure, Robert Smith, took the stage to perform “Strange Timez.” Two songs later Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook arrived to jam on “Aries” with the group. Another notable surprise for the crowd came mid-set when Shaun Ryder and Rowetta Idah of Happy Mondays made an appearance during “DARE.”
You can check out the full performance of "Strange Timez" with The Cure's Robert Smith from another angle right here.
But it wasn’t just friends from yesterday’s Alternative who were on hand throughout the night. Jamaican artist Popcaan helped out on “Saturnz Barz,” slowthai and Slaves provided bars on “Momentary Bliss,” and De La Soul’s Posdnuos assisted on “Feel Good Inc.”
Atlanta rappers EARTHGANG also provided verses on two tracks over the course of the night, “Opium” and “Stylo.” Check out a full list of live guests below.
Here's the full setlist with featured performers:
M1 A1
Strange Timez (w/ Robert Smith of The Cure)
Last Living Souls
Tranz
Aries (w/ Peter Hook of Joy Division/New Order/PH & the Light)
Tomorrow Comes Today
Saturnz Barz (w/ Jamaican artist Popcaan)
Rhinestone Eyes
Every Planet We Reach Is Dead
Kids With Guns
Fire Flies
The Lost Chord (w/ British musician Leee John)
Désolé (w/ Malian actress Fatoumata Diawara)
On Melancholy Hill
El Mañana
Andromeda
Opium (w/ Atlanta rappers EARTHGANG)
Meanwhile (w/ U.K. Grime rapper Jelani Blackman)
Jimmy Jimmy (w/ U.K. rapper AJ Tracey)
De Ja Vu (w/ Jamaican singer Alicaí Harley)
Garage Palace (w/ U.K. rapper Little Simz)
DARE (w/ Shaun Ryder + Rowetta of Happy Mondays)
19-2000
Dirty Harry
Momentary Bliss (w/ U.K. rapper slowthai and Slaves)
Plastic Beach
Encore:
Hong Kong
Stylo (w/ EARTHGANG)
Feel Good Inc. (w/ De La Soul's Posdnuos)
Clint Eastwood (w/ Little Simz and U.K. reggae singer Sweetie Irie)
Don’t Get Lost In Heaven
Demon Days
Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn was obviously thrilled to be in front of a crowd, after recently explaining his belief that the best remedy for COVID blues is a packed music venue where artists perform and tensions are eased, telling Sky News live music venues should be reopened across the world to combat mental stress.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram