Animated musical act Gorillaz (gorillaz.com) are taking another groundbreaking step, as they transform the streets of New York and London into stages for two bleeding edge performances of their brand new track “Skinny Ape.”
Taking place at 2:30 ET on December 17 in Times Square and 14:00 GMT on December 18 in Piccadilly Circus, these first-of-their-kind immersive experiences will allow fans to gather together to witness Gorillaz in a literally larger-than-life performance, as towering avatars of Murdoc, 2D, Noodle and Russel play amid two of the world’s most recognizable skylines.
“We’re always excited when music and entertainment can bust out of the usual to meet fans and tell stories in new places,” said Chris O’Reilly, Co-Founder & CCO, Nexus Studios. “Working with our friends Gorillaz and Google, this was a perfect opportunity to bring our dual passions of real-time animation and immersive tech together. Experiences told on top of cities at this level of visual fidelity is full of exciting promise.”
Directed by artist and Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett and the Emmy-nominated director Fx Goby, the “Skinny Ape” performances are created by Nexus Studios (nexusstudios.com) and utilize Google’s ARCore Geospatial API, using AR to transforms public spaces with cultural experiences and bringing the world of Gorillaz to life like never before. The performances are presented in collaboration with 21st century advertising operators OUTFRONT Media (NorAm) and Ocean Outdoor (U.K.)
“To all our followers, get ready for the biggest Times Square takeover since that other gorilla smashed the place up. Bigger in fact cos there’s four of us. Thanks to the techies at Google, we’ve created the music video event of the century, so don your pink robes and come see Gorillaz like you’ve never seen us before. The future is nigh!” — Murdoc Niccals
“Skinny Ape” is the fourth single from Gorillaz’s upcoming new album Cracker Island, and is already a fan favorite having debuted live on the band’s hugely successful 2022 World Tour.
Cracker Island, out February 24 on Parlophone, is the eighth studio album from Gorillaz — an energetic, upbeat, genre-expansive collection of 10 tracks featuring a fresh lineup of stellar collaborators: Stevie Nicks, Adeleye Omotayo, Thundercat, Tame Impala, Bad Bunny and Bootie Brown and Beck. Recorded in London and L.A. earlier this year, it is produced by eight-time Grammy Award-winning producer/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Greg Kurstin, Gorillaz and Remi Kabaka Jr.
Find more info on the upcoming performance events at skinnyape.gorillaz.com.
