Gorillaz announce huge Manchester show for next year

Gorillaz are set to make their long-awaited return to the city next year, with the group set to kick off their tour in Manchester.

Coinciding with the announcement of Gorillaz’ ninth studio album, The Mountain, the enigmatic virtual outfit will come to Co-op on Sat 21 Mar 2026.

The new record is described as an ‘expansive sonic landscape of instruments and sounds, richly layered with voices, melodies and addictive beats, spanning a collection of 15 songs that embody the very essence of Gorillaz’ collaborative ethos.’

The Mountain features a stacked list of artists and collaborators including: Ajay Prasanna, Amaan & Ayaan Ali Bangash, Anoushka Shankar, Asha Bhosle, Asha Puthli, Bizarrap, Black Thought, Gruff Rhys, IDLES, Jalen Ngonda, Johnny Marr, Kara Jackson, Omar Souleyman, Paul Simonon, Sparks, Trueno and Yasiin Bey; as well as the voices of friends and collaborators who have gone before us, including Bobby Womack, Dave Jolicoeur, Dennis Hopper, Mark E Smith, Proof and Tony Allen.

The artwork for The Mountain sees visual artist Jamie Hewlett’s distinctive, yet ever-evolving, style illustrate the world of Gorillaz across a series of hand-drawn images which capture Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D’s time in India working on the new album, available both as a book and as a collection of 12×12 prints.

Support for the upcoming tour comes from Sparks and Trueno. Gorillaz drummer Russel Hobbs said: “As space dust we are here forever and that’s a mighty long time. This is a musical meditation infused with light. A journey of the soul, with beats…“

Co-op member pre-sale tickets go on sale Wed 17 Sep at 11am. General sale tickets follow on Fri 19 Sep from 11am.