Music review: Gorillaz powerful as ever as ‘The Mountain’ tour stops in Leeds

By Macy Wright

Gorillaz staged a standout performance at First Direct Arena in Leeds last week as a part of the latest tour for their new album, The Mountain.

The show highlighted the band’s tenure as pioneering musical figures as they celebrated decades of creativity with songs old and new, writes Music News Blitz’s Macy Wright.

From the moment the band hit the stage, it was clear the night would be something special.

Seamless setlist

The setlist moved seamlessly between Gorillaz’s earlier work and newer releases, playing singles from the new album such as the title track, ‘The Mountain’, and old hits such as ‘Feel Good Inc’.

A personal highlight within this mix was hearing ‘Kids with Guns’, which has been one of my favourite Gorillaz tracks since I first heard it as a child, staying up late to watch music videos on YouTube with my dad.

The track had not appeared on the setlist during the first date of the tour, so its inclusion was unexpected, but it clearly was a hit with the crowd, who erupted into song when the chorus hit.

Visual and multimedia magic

Of course, no Gorillaz show would feel complete without their signature visuals.

Large animated projections brought the virtual band members to life around the stage as the live performers played in the middle.

The visuals shifted in tone and style with each track, from bold and chaotic sequences during tracks like ‘19-2000’ to more atmospheric and spiritual visuals during songs like ‘The Mountain’.

I was slightly skeptical before the show about seeing the artists behind the band performing live, rather than the virtual band members that are core to the Gorillaz identity.

However, the scale of the visuals woven throughout the performance created a truly immersive experience that blurred the lines between reality and fiction.

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Crowd energy and emotional highlights

One of the standout aspects of the night was the crowd itself.

The fans in the audience were completely engaged in the show, with much fewer phones in the air and a lot more genuine interaction between live music fans.

The crowd felt like a community, and the atmosphere was that of shared love, much in keeping with the message of ‘The Mountain’, which was written to celebrate life in the midst of grief.

Musically, the band were on top form.

The live band added depth to each track, while the backing singers brought a noticeable richness and element of soul that enhanced the tracks we know and love.

In true Gorillaz style, the event featured many special guests, extra features and unique twists on classics, which helped to maintain momentum and keep the set feeling fresh and exciting.

The show hit an emotional high point with the blended performance of two of their newest tracks ‘The Hardest Thing’ and ‘Orange County’, which come together to tell a story of grief and coming to terms with the loss of a loved one, whether through death or separation.

As the song began, the atmosphere shifted as if the crowd was being drawn into a trance by the music.

From my place in the pit, the moment felt very impactful as the moment of stillness built into a powerful feeling of unity, connection and comfort alongside the tune of the song.

Another highlight came when the support artist, Argentine rapper and singer Trueno, returned to the stage and performed freestyle rap over the background of the well-loved hit, ‘Clint Eastwood’.

This moment was fundamentally Gorillaz, celebrating artistry across language and cultural barriers, and constantly breaking the mold of what is expected.

The power of live music

By the end of the set, Gorillaz had delivered much more than just a strong musical performance.

The Leeds show demonstrated how live music can feel engaging and meaningful when both the artist and the audience are fully invested.

At a time when gig culture is rapidly evolving, this performance brought home that connection and creativity are still the core of the live experience.

For all those lucky enough to be in attendance, this show was an example of Gorillaz at their very best, nearly 30 years on from their creation.

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