Gorillaz took the stage at Pechanga Arena San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 25, with Little Simz and Deltron 3030 opening. The stop was part of the band’s first big North American tour since 2022, built around the new album The Mountain.
The show was billed as GORILLAZ with support from Little Simz & Deltron 3030. The arena sits at 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard.
The San Diego Ville reported a 26-song setlist. The band opened with “The Mountain” and closed with “Feel Good Inc.” and “Clint Eastwood.”
Guests dropped in all night. Little Simz came out for “Garage Palace.” Black Thought joined on “The Sad God,” and Kara Jackson sang on “Orange County.” Posdnuos of De La Soul stepped up for “Superfast Jellyfish” and “Feel Good Inc.”
Fans in San Diego also heard “Souk Eye” live for the first time on this tour. The track comes from the 2018 album The Now Now.
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett created Gorillaz in 1998. The group’s cartoon members are 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs. Guinness World Records names the band the most successful virtual act, according to Live Nation.
The band’s self-titled debut arrived in 2001. Demon Days followed in 2005. The Mountain is the ninth studio album, and it came out Feb. 27 on the band’s own independent label, KONG.
The tour packs in 22 arena dates across the United States and Canada, plus a headline slot at the Shaky Knees festival. It started Sept. 17 in Orlando and wraps up on Halloween night in Seattle. Consequence reported that the Orlando show ran 24 songs.
Los Angeles got its own surprises at the Kia Forum, according to Grimy Goods. ScHoolboy Q played “Pac-Man” for the first time on the tour. Hewlett walked on stage before the tour debut of “Ghost Train.” “California and the Slipping of the Sun” also got its first tour play. That set ran 28 songs.
