Tuesday night (Aug 10), Gorillaz celebrated the UK’s newfound freedom from restrictions with a massive free show for the country’s NHS workers and their families, as a thank you for their extraordinary efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
During the show, the virtual band debuted three new collaborative tracks and were joined by a slew of high-profile guests as they ran through a career-spanning setlist of hits.
Among the guests was Cure frontman, Robert Smith who appeared on stage to perform Strange Timez from Gorillaz’ seventh studio album Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez, released last year.
Watch the fan-shot footage below.
Gorillaz | Strange Timez ft. Robert Smith [Live]
Strange Timez was the title track of Gorillaz groundbreaking Song Machine project that produced a steady stream of releases throughout 2020, painting an eerily accurate account of the year that was.
“We did this tune with Robert completely by email,” Damon Albarn explained in an interview on BBC Radio 6 Music.
Robert Smith added: “I loved it! I thought it was excellent. I felt ripples in the force and I thought, ‘I better get this done’.”
An official music video for the track, featuring Robert Smith as an interstellar AI God, arrived back in September last year. Watch below.
Gorillaz | Strange Timez ft. Robert Smith
Gorillaz’ Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez arrived last year with an enviable list of very special guests, including music legends like Elton John, Joy Division/New Order bassist, Peter Hook, and Robert Smith, alongside contemporary stars like St. Vincent, Beck and more. You can check out the Song Machine, Season One Super Deluxe Boxset, here.
READ MORE: Britpop to Hip Hop – Blur to Gorillaz in 10 Songs
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