Gorillaz Perform on ‘SNL’ for the First Time, Promoting New Album Ahead of Tour

For the first time since the group formed in 1998, Gorillaz were the musical guests on Saturday Night Live. The episode aired on March 7, with Ryan Gosling hosting for the fourth time. The band performed their 2001 hit song “Clint Eastwood” and their new track “The Moon Cave.” The latter comes from the band’s new album The Mountain, released on February 27, 2026. The original release date for the album was March 20, but the date was moved up. This marks the band’s ninth studio album. It was the first release on their new independent label, KONG.

The Mountain explores themes of grief. It features many collaborations with artists, including Sparks, IDLES, and Bizarrap. The new album was released a few weeks short of their debut album’s 25-year anniversary, which features the hit “Clint Eastwood.”

Gorillaz Embark On a Tour in Europe and the US

On March 13, the Mountain Tour starts in the UK with two shows in Bradford. Throughout the spring and summer, the tour will make its way across Europe. Gorillaz starts the US leg of the tour on September 17 in Orlando, Florida.

Gorillaz are a virtual band created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. Damon Albarn was the lead singer of the English rock band Blur. The band formed in the late 1980s and found success in the 1990s and early 2000s. Blur took a hiatus in 2003 and returned with The Magic Whip in 2015.

Damon Albarn created Gorillaz with comic book artist and illustrator Jamie Hewlett in 1998. With Gorillaz, Albarn moved away from the Britpop sound of Blur and tapped into elements of hip hop and electronic music. The band performs live with a high-definition screen displaying Hewlett’s animations. The performance blends visuals of pre-recorded footage with a live performance from the band. Many collaborators and special guests join Gorillaz on stage during live shows. Featured artists from their albums sometimes appear on the video screen with pre-recorded parts, or a special guest steps in for the track.

Gorillaz released their self-titled debut in 2001, which went triple platinum in the UK. It generated their first hit, “Clint Eastwood,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart. Their second album, Demon Days, generated another big hit song for the group. “Feel Good Inc.” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in 2005.