Gorillaz made their long-awaited debut at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Saturday (28 March) with a thrilling two-hour set of classic hits and tracks from their latest album ‘The Mountain’.
Lead singer Damon Albarn referenced his family’s Nottingham roots explaining to the sell-out crowd that his grandfather earned a living by pushing a wheelbarrow of vegetables from Nottingham market.
To commemorate this historic debut in Nottingham, lead singer Damon Albarn and Stuart Galbraith, CEO of promoter Kilimanjaro Live, were presented with a bespoke piece of artwork commissioned for the occasion. The piece was created by acclaimed local Nottingham artist Chris Askham, reflecting the venue’s ongoing commitment to championing local independent talent via its gifting programme and creating unique local mementos for visiting international stars.
Albarn was also presented with a set of authentic medieval arrowheads dating from the Robin Hood era of 12th-13th century, recognising his interest in medieval history and artifacts.
Martin Ingham, CEO of Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, commented:
“Welcoming Gorillaz to the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham for the first time was always going to be one of the highlights of our 2026 calendar, but the show exceeded all expectations and is a testament to the band’s enduring impact.
“We were delighted to present Damon Albarn and Stuart Galbraith with Chris Askham’s incredible artwork. We are proud to support Nottingham’s creative community and combining that with the city’s medieval heritage—given Damon’s personal ties—made it a truly special evening.”
The 13-piece band were accompanied by Jamie Hewlett’s famous animations on a large LED screen, and joined on stage by a number of their collaborators, including Posdnous from De La Soul, Yasiin Bey, and Bootie Brown, as the Nottingham crowd sang along to hits such as Feel Good Inc., Stylo, and Dirty Harry, concluding with Client Eastwood, with Sweetie Irie.
The sell-out crowd was the largest for a concert this year, further cementing the Arena’s status as a primary destination for the world’s biggest musical acts.
Saltbox, the Arena’s sister venue on Bolero Square, was also used for a special pre-event VIP experience for hundreds of people, featuring a chill-out zone themed to ‘The Mountain’ album.
With a packed 2026 lineup, the Motorpoint Arena promises many more unforgettable nights of world-class live entertainment, with James, Rick Astley and Alex Warren all visiting Nottingham in April, and The Prodigy, UB40 and Lily Allen to follow in May and June. Visit motorpointarenanottingham.com for more information.
Posted on 02 April 2026
