Gorillaz Debut ‘Clint Eastwood’ & New Songs on SNL | Rolling Stone
Gorillaz brought a unique energy to Saturday Night Live this weekend, delivering a performance that spanned their decades-long career and showcased their latest musical explorations. The British virtual band, known for their innovative blend of genres and captivating visuals, performed both their breakout hit “Clint Eastwood” and a latest track, “The Moon Cave,” from their recently released album, The Mountain.
The performance marked Gorillaz’s debut as the musical guest on the long-running sketch comedy demonstrate, a significant milestone for the group that continues to push boundaries in the music industry. “Clint Eastwood,” the lead single from their self-titled 2001 album, remains a defining track of the early 2000s, landing at number 38 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 best songs of that decade. The song’s distinctive sound, heavily influenced by the iconic score of Sergio Leone’s 1966 film The Solid, the Bad and the Ugly, resonated with audiences then and continues to do so now.
Adding to the nostalgia, Del the Funky Homosapien, the original rapper featured on “Clint Eastwood,” joined Gorillaz onstage for the performance. His presence underscored the song’s enduring legacy and provided a welcome surprise for longtime fans.
A New Chapter: Exploring The Mountain
The second performance offered a glimpse into Gorillaz’s more recent work with “The Moon Cave,” a track from The Mountain, which followed 2023’s Cracker Island. This album represents a significant artistic turn for the band, delving into themes of mortality and loss, informed by personal experiences and a formative trip to India. The song itself is a collaborative effort, featuring contributions from a diverse range of artists including singer-songwriter Asha Puthli, rapper Black Thought, and sitar player Anoushka Shankar. Notably, the track too incorporates posthumous contributions from guitarist and singer Bobby Womack and Dave Jolicoeur of De La Soul.
Damon Albarn, the creative force behind Gorillaz alongside artist Jamie Hewlett, explained the inclusion of artists who have passed away in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. “I just thought, if we’re going to talk about the subject of death, I need some people who are dead to assist me talk about it,” he stated, highlighting the album’s deeply personal and reflective nature.
The Mountain is characterized by its incorporation of Indian classical instrumentation and lyrics sung in multiple languages, including Hindi, reflecting the band’s exploration of diverse musical traditions. Other tracks on the fifteen-song album include “The Manifesto” and “Damascus.”
From SNL Stage to Global Stages
The SNL appearance serves as a launchpad for Gorillaz’s upcoming tour in support of The Mountain, which kicks off later this month in the U.K. The band is also slated to headline major festivals this summer, including Barcelona’s Primavera Sound in June and Atlanta’s Shaky Knees festival in September.
Gorillaz’s continued success speaks to their ability to evolve and remain relevant in a constantly changing musical landscape. From their early days as a groundbreaking virtual band to their current explorations of complex themes and diverse musical styles, Gorillaz has consistently captivated audiences with their unique vision and artistic innovation. The band’s willingness to collaborate with a wide range of artists, both living and deceased, further solidifies their position as a truly boundary-pushing force in contemporary music.
The fifteen-track album’s collaborative spirit extends beyond “The Moon Cave,” with each song featuring at least one contributing artist. This approach, as Albarn explained, was a deliberate choice to enrich the album’s thematic depth and explore the complexities of loss and remembrance. The inclusion of posthumous contributions adds a poignant layer to the album, honoring the legacies of artists like Womack and Jolicoeur while simultaneously engaging with the subject of mortality.
The band’s performance on SNL, and the subsequent tour dates, signal a new chapter for Gorillaz, one that promises to be as innovative and captivating as their previous work. Fans can expect a dynamic live experience that blends the familiar sounds of “Clint Eastwood” with the fresh, emotionally resonant material from The Mountain.
Tour and Festival Dates
Here’s where you can catch Gorillaz live:
- Tour: Begins later this month in the U.K. (specific dates and locations available on the official Gorillaz website)
- Primavera Sound (Barcelona): June 2026
- Shaky Knees (Atlanta): September 2026