DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Gorillaz delivers perfect festival set, bringing a touch of India to Werchter

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Gorillaz delivered a near-perfect festival set at Rock Werchter, blending major hits with songs from their new album 'The Mountain'.
  • Frontman Damon Albarn engaged enthusiastically with the crowd, sharing the stage with numerous guest artists throughout the performance.
  • The new album's themes of life and death, inspired by the band members' personal losses and a trip to India, were presented with an overall atmosphere of celebration and enjoyment.

Gorillaz delivered a near-perfect festival set at Rock Werchter, captivating the audience with a blend of their biggest hits and tracks from the new album 'The Mountain'. Frontman Damon Albarn showed clear enthusiasm, interacting with the crowd and welcoming a procession of guest artists to the stage.

The performance showcased a mix of Gorillaz's extensive catalog and songs from 'The Mountain,' which incorporates subtle Indian influences. The album's creation was deeply personal for Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn, following the recent deaths of their fathers. A trip to India, where Albarn scattered his father's ashes in the Ganges, proved highly inspirational.

You're so nice, the energy is good.

— Damon AlbarnDamon Albarn complimenting the Rock Werchter audience.

Despite the album's themes of life and death, the Werchter performance emphasized exuberance and enjoyment, celebrating life. Guest performers included American singer Kara Jackson, who featured on the poignant 'Orange County,' and Yukimi from Little Dragon. The show also featured rapper Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) for the classic 'Stylo.' Albarn encouraged his own band members, like background singer Michelle Ndegwa, to connect with the audience, fostering a shared celebratory atmosphere.

The hardest thing is to say goodbye to someone you love.

— Damon AlbarnLyrics from the song 'Orange County' from the album 'The Mountain'.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog