Gig review: Gorillaz at Motorpoint Arena

Entering the Arena on a brisk Saturday night, there is a genuine buzz of excitement in the air. It’s a packed house tonight, meaning we must navigate a busy concourse filled with fans and queues of people desperate to get their hands on some of Gorillaz’s colourful merchandise and exclusive tour posters. It’s interesting to see the fandom the animated group conjure up, with even a few people in cosplay / fancy dress spotted throughout the evening as well.

Finally, after wading through the crowds, we take our seats for tonight’s support, Argentine rapper Trueno. His set begins with a montage on the big screens, showing highlights of his career so far and the rise of Latin American hip-hop. From the moment his performance begins he is a whirlwind of raucous energy, immediately getting the crowd to stick their middle fingers up during F**k el Police. His live band is incredible too, with his guitarist often breaking out into mesmerising solos, while his percussionist brings the Latin spirit through some bongo drum rhythms.

“Nottingham, you like hip-hop?! Get ready!” he says, before a trancey run of tracks that interpolate the likes of Dr Dre’s The Next Episode and Sugarhill Gang’s iconic Rapper’s Delight. All the songs are accompanied with cinematic visuals on the screens too, a cameraman following Trueno and his band around the stage to capture the intensity of the performance. The arena crowd is with him every step of the way too, with people jumping up and down both in the standing area and seated blocks.

“Thank you Gorillaz for the support, thank you Nottingham for the energy – this is Argentina music!” he exclaims at the climax of his set. As warm-up acts go, I can’t remember the last time I saw one better.

After a short break to collectively catch our breaths, it is time for the main event – Gorillaz. The show begins with a message saying “Kong studios presents…” before Jamie Hewlett’s gorgeous animations light up the enormous screen backdrop for the first time. The 13-piece band, including Damon Albarn, take to the stage and open with The Mountain’s instrumental title track, as the screens show Noodle traversing the Indian jungle before a virtual message from the late-great Dennis Hopper. The band Sparks are then beamed in for The Happy Dictator, appearing via vibrantvisuals as Albarn becomes more animated (literally and figuratively!) and begins conducting the crowd.

While the majority of the set transports the Nottingham crowd to the sights and sounds of India through cuts from The Mountain, there’s plenty of space for the band’s biggest hits, too. 19-2000 brings the first big singalong of the night, along with a madcap figure coming onto the stage dressed as one of Frank Oz’s Muppets. There’s also a pulsating version of Rhinestone Eyes, before a stirring rendition of El Mañana. Damon then encourages the crowd to sing along to On Melancholy Hill, before wandering through the crowd during an electric performance of the Mark E. Smith-featuring Delirium. The performances are only amplified by the stunning visuals throughout, the giant LED backdrop flicking between the band’s animated music videos and colourful psychedelic imagery.

There’s no shortage of special guests either, as the incredible Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), joins the ensemble for Stylo and Damascus, before Bootie Brown comes out to smash his verse on the classic, Dirty Harry. Indian singer Asha Bhosle is  beamed into the room for The Shadowy Light, the whole of the arena then reflecting the song’s title by lighting up the entire room with their phone torches. It’s an incredible sight, one which seems to noticeably move Damon Albarn as he stops to take in the moment.

Before you know it, The Sad God brings the main set full circle and sees the ensemble leave the stage. There is no way this electric crowd isn’t getting an encore tonight though, as the thunderous applause means the band quickly return to the stage. It’s two standouts from The Mountain to kick things off, as Kara Jackson joins Damon on vocals during a heartfelt rendition of Orange County, before Trueno returns to steal the show once again, this time during a scintillating performance of The Manifesto.

Posdnuos from De La Soul then takes to the stage, congratulating the crowd on being louder than Cardiff the previous night, and indeed the entire tour so far. He asks everyone to get on their feet – including those in the seats – before sending the crowd into a frenzy during the aptly titled Feel Good Inc. If that wasn’t enough, Damon pulls out the mouth organ to signal the start of the evening’s grand finale - Clint Eastwood. About halfway through, it morphs into the fast-paced remix version, with Reggae singer Sweetie Irie even making a guest appearance. It’s an incredible end to one hell of an arena show, with everything about it making for a top-tier production. From the animated visuals and the eclectic setlist to Damon’s quiet showmanship and the amazing ensemble band, including all the surprise guests, Gorillaz gave Nottingham a debut to remember.

Earlier in the evening, Damon mentioned being haunted by Nottingham ghosts, before elaborating during the encore that his grandfather used to earn a living by pushing a wheelbarrow of vegetables from Nottingham market to Lincoln market. “That’s where I’m from” he revealed candidly. Given his local connections, it’s amazing it has taken him this long to bring Gorillaz to our city.

Clearly moved by the occasion though and with the Nottingham audience leaving a mark with their loud voices and infectious energy, something tells me Damon will be returning to confront the ghosts again before long.

Gorillaz performed at Motorpoint Arena on 28th March 2026.

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