Gorillaz to headline the 30th edition of the Pohoda festival
The legendary band Gorillaz will perform in Slovakia for the first time. One of the most influential and innovative bands of the present day will take to the stage at Pohoda Festival 2026. Fans can look forward to an extraordinary mix of legendary hits such as “Clint Eastwood”, “Feel Good Inc.”, and “DARE”, alongside material from their new album set for release in spring 2026. This audiovisual show will undoubtedly be one of the biggest musical moments of Pohoda's 30th edition, which will take place from 9th to 11th July 2026 at Trenčín Airport.
14. October 2025
Behind the virtual project Gorillaz are Damon Albarn, frontman of the British band Blur, and artist Jamie Hewlett, creator of the legendary Tank Girl comic. Together, they have created a unique world of animated characters – singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs, and the Japanese guitar virtuoso Noodle. Thanks to this original concept, continuous musical experimentation, and striking visual aesthetics, Gorillaz have become a global phenomenon, significantly shaping the direction of modern music.
“We’re already celebrating the 30th anniversary of Pohoda in the best possible way. We’ve dreamt of having them at the festival since their first album was released, and we’ve been reaching out to them ever since we started inviting international stars. Gorillaz are the biggest booking in Pohoda’s history, and we are proud to announce them as the first confirmed act for 2026. Negotiating with them took almost two years, and we’d also like to thank everyone who helped create the fantastic, welcoming atmosphere during the Africa Express concert this year. Damon Albarn left Pohoda thrilled, and his agent followed up saying that Damon would be happy to perform with Gorillaz. We’re grateful and can’t wait,” says Michal Kaščák, the director of Pohoda Festival.
Their music blends various genres, from alternative rock and hip-hop to electronic and world music. Gorillaz are renowned for their collaborations, with artists like Elton John, Bad Bunny, Snoop Dog, Beck, Tame Impala, Lou Reed, Jean-Michel Jarre, Little Simz, Neneh Cherry, Tony Allen, St. Vincent, Sketpa, slowthai, SOFT PLAY, Benjamin Clementine, Thundercat, MF Doom, Kali Uchis, and Metronomy appearing on their albums.
Gorillaz have released eight studio albums: Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (2011), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018), Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez (2020), and Cracker Island (2023). This autumn, the band played a series of selected concerts across Europe and is currently finalising their upcoming album The Mountain, which will be released in 2026.
Over the course of their career, Gorillaz have received numerous prestigious awards, including a Grammy Award and a BRIT Award. Thanks to their visual innovation, blending music and technology, and their constant artistic evolution, Gorillaz have secured their place in history as one of the most significant bands of the past few decades.
Damon Albarn, regarded as one of the biggest figures in British music, will return to Pohoda exactly one year after his successful appearance with Africa Express, whose performance at Pohoda 2025 was one of the highlights of the festival. In 2026, however, he will bring something that Slovak audiences have never experienced before – the energy and fantastic show of Gorillaz in full force.
Damon Albarn with his music project Africa Express at the Pohoda 2025 festival (photo Oleksandra Sherhina)
Gorillaz are the first confirmed act for Pohoda 2026. Even before their announcement, more than a third of tickets for the festival sold out at record speed. The 30th edition of Slovakia’s largest multi-genre festival will take place from 9th to 11th July 2026 at Trenčín Airport.