Gorillaz have confirmed that a documentary about their huge show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is on the way.
READ MORE: Gorillaz – ‘The Mountain’ review: a world-building ode to death and starting over
Held last Saturday (June 20), the night marked the first ever stadium gig for the Damon Albarn-led collective, and followed on the heels of them releasing the stirring and spiritual new album ‘The Mountain’.
Taking place shortly after they played a handful of UK arena shows earlier this year, Albarn was joined by an impressive number of special guests on the night, including Johnny Marr, Little Simz, Shaun Ryder, The Clash’s Paul Simonon and more.
Now, after fans at the gig noticed a number of cameras in place and overhead drones during the show, Gorillaz have confirmed that they are working on a documentary about the landmark occasion.
Illustrator, visual artist and founding member Jamie Hewlett confirmed the plans to BBC News, revealing that extensive filming took place in all areas of the venue on the night.
“The aim is to reveal what it takes to put on a show like this,” he told the outlet. “We have artists filming themselves getting on planes from different parts of the world, then everybody coming together here in Tottenham, the arrival of the fans, the Gorillaz show, and the aftermath, when there’s only empty beer cups left.”
According to the report, cameras captured the show as well as the crowd, the crew, and backstage moments. The upcoming documentary will blend that footage with the band’s cartoon performers: 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel.
It isn’t yet clear when the documentary will be available to watch.
As well as the aforementioned special guests, others who took to the stage for the show included Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), Omar Souleyman, Kano, Bashy, Lao, Black Thought, Asha Puthli and Anoushka Shankar.
One of the most poignant moments on the night came when Gorillaz played ‘The Shadowy Light’ in tribute to the late Bollywood icon Asha Bhosle, who featured on the original recording and died earlier this year, aged 92. Gruff Rhys helped perform the track, while Bhosle’s granddaughter Zanai joined to perform the late singer’s vocal parts.
As well as cuts from the new album, Gorillaz also broke out numerous fan favourites, including ‘Empire Ants’, ‘El Mañana’, ‘Dirty Harry’, ‘On Melancholy Hill’, ‘Clint Eastwood’, ‘Dare’, and ‘Feel Good Inc’. Find NME’s full report from the night, along with footage, photos and the setlist here.
Gorillaz will head back out on the road soon for their first-ever India tour dates. Visit here for tickets to upcoming shows.
‘The Mountain’ was written after both Albarn and illustrator Jamie Hewlett lost their fathers, and given a four-star review from NME, which praised it for its ability to tackle heavy themes with a sense of refinement.
The review described it as “an album that celebrates the love you leave behind, the people you touch, the spirit of giving more than you take, how we’re all the same when it’s done”.
