Gorillaz have been confirmed to headline Rock Werchter 2026, performing on Saturday 4 July at the Belgian festival. Tickets for the four-day event go on sale on Friday 21 November at 10 AM, with pre-registration now open to grant earlier access to festival passes. Rock Werchter 2026 takes place at Festivalpark in Werchter from Thursday 2 July to Sunday 5 July.
The virtual band, created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, join previously announced headliners The Cure and Twenty One Pilots on the lineup. Gorillaz are set to release their new studio album “The Mountain” in 2026, adding further anticipation to their Belgian festival appearance. The band’s live shows combine musical performance with striking visual elements, featuring Albarn leading a versatile group of musicians.
The BRIT and Grammy-winning act have released eight studio albums since their 2001 debut, collaborating with artists ranging from Elton John to Little Simz. Their recent 25th anniversary London shows received critical acclaim, with The Guardian noting the band remains “riveting and relevant” while The Observer described the performances as featuring “lush visuals and borderless music.” Additional names for Rock Werchter 2026 will be announced in the coming weeks.
Read the official press release in full below:
Confirmed for Rock Werchter 2026: Gorillaz. The virtual band, created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, will perform on Saturday 4 July. Gorillaz are singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, guitarist Noodle, and drummer Russel Hobbs. On stage, they are joined by a versatile group of musicians led by Albarn himself. Gorillaz live is a musical and visual spectacle. Gorillaz live is a party!
Rock Werchter 2026 will take place at the Festivalpark in Werchter (Belgium) from Thursday 2 July to Sunday 5 July. Ticket sales start on Friday 21 November at 10 AM. Pre-registering, which grants earlier access to festival tickets, is open now. Last week, it was announced that The Cure and Twenty One Pilots will come to the festival. More names for Rock Werchter 2026 will be revealed soon. Stay tuned to rockwerchter.be.
Gorillaz, the BRIT and Grammy-winning band, formed following a collision of mishaps, meetings and pure luck to blow up a pre-digital world with their colourful backstory and ground-breaking virtual ways. Based at Kong Studios, Gorillaz settled into a life of musical innovation with an eye-wateringly exciting roster of collaborators, a list that includes musical legends, geniuses and future stars from Elton John to Little Simz, MF Doom to Jean-Michel Jarre, Grace Jones to slowthai, Kali Uchis to Sidiki Diabaté, plus so many more.
With eight albums to their name, 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), Gorillaz is a truly global phenomenon, achieving success in entirely new and unique ways, touring the world from San Diego to Syria, Montevideo to Manchester and winning numerous awards including the coveted Jim Henson Creativity Honor.
The band’s recent acclaimed run of London shows to celebrate 25 years of Gorillaz saw The Guardian declare: “Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s cartoon band are still riveting and relevant”, with London’s Evening Standard adding “Albarn and Hewlett are still legions ahead of the pack,”, and The Observer headline proclaim “Gorillaz stun in star-studded show of lush visuals and borderless music.” Gorillaz’ new studio album The Mountain will be released in 2026.
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