Gorillaz stepped onto the Saturday Night Live stage for the first time on March 7, joining host Ryan Gosling at Studio 8H to perform a mix of past and new material. The band revived their early-2000s hit while unveiling a track from their latest record, signaling a full-throttle promotional push as they prepare to tour the U.S. later this year.
On the set, Gorillaz revisited the song that helped define them in 2001, then introduced audiences to “The Moon Cave,” a new piece from their album The Mountain. The live rendition featured guest contributions from vocalist Asha Puthli, rapper Black Thought and sitarist Anoushka Shankar — a blend that underscored the group’s genre-blurring approach.
Performing a career-spanning pair of numbers on national television matters because it brings the band’s new era to a mainstream audience while reminding viewers of their cultural footprint. For fans and industry observers, the slot on SNL is a clear signal that Gorillaz are re-engaging the American market ahead of a major tour.
During the episode Gosling struggled with a skittish camera operator — and in an off-stage moment that caught viewers’ attention, Harry Styles made a brief appearance. Styles popped up during Gosling’s monologue and joined an impromptu rendition of his own song, a cameo timed close to his recent album release. He is scheduled to return to SNL as host and performer on March 14.
The show’s 51st season has continued to draw a diverse roster of musical guests, spanning indie rock, hip-hop and pop. Recent acts include Geese, A$AP Rocky, Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, Brandi Carlile, Mumford & Sons, Olivia Dean, Dijon, Lily Allen and Cher; both Bad Bunny and Ariana Grande have also taken on hosting duties this season.
Gorillaz’s television appearance comes ahead of a larger live run: the band will resume touring in North America in September to support The Mountain, marking their first comprehensive U.S. tour in four years. They also have summer festival dates across Europe, including a headline slot at Primavera Sound in Barcelona.
- March 7: Gorillaz perform on SNL with Ryan Gosling (Studio 8H); songs included a classic hit and the new track “The Moon Cave.”
- Guest collaborators: Asha Puthli, Black Thought, Anoushka Shankar joined the broadcast performance.
- March 14: Harry Styles returns to SNL as host and musical guest after a cameo on March 7.
- September: Gorillaz launch a North American tour in support of The Mountain, their first large-scale U.S. run in four years.
- Summer festivals: European dates include a headlining appearance at Primavera Sound, Barcelona.
This sequence — high-profile TV exposure, notable guest artists, and a return to touring — positions Gorillaz to reach both longtime followers and new listeners. For the broader music landscape, it’s a reminder that established acts still rely on broadcast moments and festival stages to reassert relevance in an increasingly fragmented market.
For viewers wanting to revisit the performances, clips from the March 7 broadcast have circulated online, and the band’s upcoming tour and festival listings remain the clearest indicators of where fans can hear the new material live.
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