Gorillaz Make Live Return

Gorrilaz played their first live show since 2005 yesterday at the Coachella Festival in California with a selection of star guests.
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s group come to London’s Roundhouse later this month with one of two gigs set to be streamed live by MTV. The band ran through tracks from all three of their albums with a new production of animation, graphics and films to compliment the music. For the first time Damon was front of stage for a show by the cartoon band and was joined by former members of The Clash- Mick Jones (on guitar) and Paul Simonon (on bass). Other guests who appeared during the headline slot included Bobby Womack and De La Soul. However some artists could not travel to take part because of cancelled flights. Reviews of the show from the US have been strong, with Entertainment Weekly writing: “Albarn sang with real soul and exhibited boundless energy, even jogging back and forth while carrying an actual, very large white flag during ‘White Flag.’ This, ladies and gentlemen, was pop spectacle done right.” The LA Times said Gorrilaz' gig was a “reminder of how Coachella, at its best, can knock down genre borders and respectfully connect the past to the present.”

Gorillaz announce new album details, guests and release date – exclusive

Gorrilaz will release their third album, 'Plastic Beach' on March 8, the cartoon creations of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have told NME. Confirming the record's full tracklisting, the band also announced that the likes of Lou Reed, Mos Def, Mark E Smith, Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, De La Soul and Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys, while The Clash duo Mick Jones and Paul Simonon reunite on the title track."Leeching is the wrong word now isn't it?" the band's 'frontman Murdoc Niccals told NME.COM of the guest stars.

"It's not like I've drawn blood or anything. No, I think the word 'coerced' sings the deal a little better. Although, yes, the coercion did come via chloroform and rohypnol."See this week's issue of NME – on UK newsstands now – for an exclusive comeback interview with Gorrilaz. As with the band's previous releases, the album boasts a back story, which this time sees "the band have taken up residence, recording on a secret floating island deep in the South Pacific, a Plastic Beach HQ, made up of the detritus, debris and washed up remnants of humanity. This Plastic Beach is the furthest point from any landmass on Earth; the most deserted spot on the planet".