Created in 1998 by Blur’s Damon Albarn and cartoonist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz began as animated videos with music provided by artists under their cartoon nom de plumes. In addition to Albarn, artists that have recorded as Gorillaz over the years include Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Dan The Automator, Tina Weymouth and Cass Browne.
Earlier this year the band chose to perform a few isolated dates, including the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Unlike previous plans calling for holographic projections and artists performing behind screens, the musicians took center stage with notables such as former Clash members Mick Jones and Paul Simonon as well as Bobby Womack and De La Soul among the musicians joining Albarn in breathing three-dimensional life into the band.
But while band reps talked about a world tour, it wasn’t all that clear as to which music artists would be willing to commit to a global undertaking. That is, until now.
Turns out most of the folks that appeared at Coachella will keep the Gorillaz vibe going on the road. Featured artists on the fall tour include the aforementioned Womack, Jones, Simonon and De La Soul as well as Little Dragon, Hypnotic Brass, Bootie Brown, Kano and Bashy.
Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley, otherwise known as N.E.R.D, support on all dates.
The Gorillaz world tour begins Oct. 3 at Montreal’s Bell Centre, and spends a month playing North America venues before heading to the U.K., Europe and Australia. For more info, just click here.