In collaboration with WeAre8...
01 · 09 · 2025
At the Gorillaz ‘Demon Days’ concert, it feels like a family gathering. As I wait in the press line outside the Copper Box Arena, transformed into a Gorillaz fan hub for the week, I'm struck by the large number of children present. It's one of the most age-diverse crowds I’ve ever encountered at a concert: there are alternative-minded teens discreetly vaping on the way from Hackney Wick station, young families accompanied by numerous kids, and a kind older gentleman who gets lost on his way to the VIP line and eagerly follows my instructions to the entrance.
This serves as a reminder that Gorillaz has been around for a considerable time, initially formed in 2000 by former Blur frontman and versatile artist Damon Albarn, whom nearly everyone present is eager to see. As the journalist beside me notes, this band has existed since before my birth. The audience reflects the band’s longevity, anchored in their continuous stylistic evolution and experimentation.
There’s much speculation among the audience about who Albarn might invite to join him during tonight’s performance. ‘Demon Days’, true to Gorillaz’s collaborative nature, includes contributions from artists such as Neneh Cherry, Bootie Brown, and MF Doom, among others. When Albarn steps onto the stage at 9:00 PM to the sound of jazz musician Ben Castle’s version of the album’s apocalyptic introduction, the crowd erupts. He’s not especially chatty this evening, diving straight into ‘Last Living Souls’, which instantly energizes the audience. This energy persists throughout the concert: everyone is elated to be there, likely because of the effort involved in securing tickets for any of the Copper Box shows.
From the outset of the concert to its conclusion, Albarn’s star presence is unmistakable. He still moves with the same energy as in his younger days – with lots of animated gestures and a slight awkwardness on stage that hasn’t entirely faded with age. While he commands attention, it’s clear he wants to honor his supporting band and collaborators during the set. For several songs, he takes a seat at a piano positioned toward the back of the stage, allowing his guests to shine in his stead. As the audience hoped, this performance is rich with guest appearances. Standout moments include Bootie Brown joining for ‘Dirty Harry’, accompanied by an adorable children’s choir, and the London Community Gospel Choir’s performance of ‘Demon Days’, the same group that contributed vocals on the original track.
Then, of course, there’s ‘Feel Good Inc.’, a quadruple-platinum hit that was my initial introduction to the band as a teenager. Excitingly, De La Soul took the stage to perform their famous midway rap live. Their collaboration with Albarn spans two decades, and there’s a warmth to their on-stage interaction that reflects the friendship between the Britpop star and the remaining members of one of hip-hop’s most respected groups. They even refer to Albarn as a “sexy priest” in front of the audience. Curiously, Albarn sports a dog-collar and what appears to be an Elvis Presley wig throughout the performance. Regardless, the audience is lively for the entirety of the song.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Copper Box concerts is the night-by-night album format, allowing the band to perform not only their greatest hits but also deeper cuts from their catalog. The band worked through the complete track list of ‘Demon Days’, and for the encore, they surprised the crowd with selections from 2007’s follow-up album ‘D-Sides’. The evening concludes on a reflective note with ‘Hong Kong’, supported by Qing Du, who begins with the soothing sounds of the Guzheng, an ancient Chinese instrument. It’s a closing choice that resonates with their most devoted fans, clearly intended for those who cherish these shows. After all, if Damon Albarn is the priest, the Copper Box arena has become the church of Gorillaz, a gathering place for the project’s most dedicated followers.
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Words: Sasha Mills
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At the Gorillaz 'Demon Days' concert, it's a family-oriented event. While standing in the press line outside the Copper Box Arena––a venue that has been transformed into a Gorillaz space...