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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.
📌 Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
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.
