Gorillaz, the virtual band co-created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a massive, one-off stadium show that featured a sprawling array of collaborators and underscored the group's enduring message of cross-cultural understanding.
Backstage before the event, Albarn expressed surprise at the longevity of the project, which began as a fun experiment. "We were going to do one album for fun," he said. "We had no idea it'd keep going."
He attributed the band's sustained appeal to its consistent use of collaborations and its animated characters, which draw in new generations. "You attract new generations because they like the cartoons, and then your nine-year-old kid is discovering Bobby Womack or Mark E Smith and all of the wonderful people we work with," Albarn explained.
Beyond the pop thrills, Gorillaz has consistently blended musical styles with a message promoting unity. Albarn stated that the project's message is "more urgent than it's ever been," expressing dismay at the resurgence of prejudice. "I find it repugnant and hateful, and I can't stand it," he said.
Fellow artist De La Soul star Kelvin "Posdnuos" Mercer, who has collaborated with Gorillaz since 2005, echoed these sentiments. "The idea of saying your culture is somehow superior to another culture, or cannot be compatible is ridiculous," Mercer stated. "Everything is inextricably and very obviously connected."
Mercer shared that his experiences traveling and immersing himself in different cultures with Gorillaz have challenged his own preconceived notions. "Regardless of where this person is from or what religion they're committed to, we all have truly common moments to share," he noted. "It allows you to cherish what's similar, and not always see the differences in one another."
This approach of fostering understanding and connection through music has been a hallmark of Gorillaz since its inception, allowing the virtual band and its diverse roster of human collaborators to resonate with audiences for over two decades.
Albarn emphasized the importance of recognizing shared humanity and resisting simplistic arguments that exploit divisions. "We all need to understand each other and not fall prey to over-simplistic arguments made by people who don't necessarily believe what they're saying, but see it as a political advantage," he concluded.
