Gorillaz finally made their debut on Saturday Night Live this past weekend, bringing their unique animated-meets-reality vibe to the iconic stage. It was a significant moment for the virtual band, especially following the recent success of their latest album, The Mountain, which just snagged the UK #1 spot a couple of weeks back.
Fans tuning in were treated to a fantastic mix of new and classic tracks. From their fresh UK chart-topper, Gorillaz performed “The Moon Cave,” a track that saw a truly impressive lineup of guest artists join them on stage. Asha Puthli, Black Thought, and Anoushka Shankar all lent their talents, making for a dynamic and rich live rendition that showcased the band’s collaborative spirit.
But it wasn’t just about the new material. Gorillaz also dove into their archives, pulling out their very first single, “Clint Eastwood,” which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. And who better to help them bring it to life than Del The Funky Homosapien, who originally featured on the track. It was a nostalgic nod that thrilled long-time fans and introduced a quarter-century-old classic to a new audience.
Introducing the band was none other than host Ryan Gosling, who was quite a sight himself. He was sporting a rather memorable prosthetic cyclops eye, a hilarious leftover from a previous sketch, definitely an interesting look for an intro! Gosling, who was actually hosting SNL for the fourth time (a fact he seemed genuinely surprised by, thinking it was his fifth), handled the duties with his usual charming flair, adding an extra layer of amusement to the evening.
Overall, Gorillaz delivered a performance that was quintessential them, unexpected, visually engaging, and packed with musical talent. It was a proper introduction for those unfamiliar and a treat for long-time fans seeing Damon Albarn’s brainchild finally hit the SNL stage.
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