As virtual worlds continue to collide in unprecedented ways, the iconic virtual band Gorillaz has been announced as the headliner for Fortnite Festival Season 10, set to debut in-game on August 26, 2025. The groundbreaking collaboration will feature all four virtual band members—Noodle, 2D, Murdoc, and Russel—as playable characters and outfits for players to enjoy.
The ultimate metaverse mashup arrives as Gorillaz brings their animated personas to Fortnite’s virtual stage.
Epic Games has completely redesigned the Festival’s Main Stage to reflect Gorillaz’s distinctive aesthetic, incorporating elements from Plastic Beach and their signature graffiti-laden cityscape visuals. Players will have the opportunity to jam along to the band’s biggest hits, including “DARE,” “Clint Eastwood,” and “On Melancholy Hill,” which will be available as playable Jam Tracks.
The Season 10 Music Pass grants access to additional characters Murdoc and Russel, among other exclusive rewards for players who purchase the premium content. Gorillaz’s digital avatars have been seamlessly integrated within Fortnite’s gameplay environment, introducing new features such as updated “Good” notes and redesigned lift notes. This marks the first in-game performance for the virtual band created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Fortnite Festival, which has previously hosted headliners including Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, and Metallica. As the first virtual band to headline since Metallica, Gorillaz represents a natural fit for the platform’s blend of digital entertainment. The partnership will utilize paid advertising across social media platforms to target both gaming enthusiasts and music fans, maximizing audience reach and engagement. The band’s music will also be distributed across streaming platforms to help expand their digital footprint beyond the gaming community.
In conjunction with the virtual festival, Epic Games is hosting a London pop-up event through September 3, 2025, featuring gaming stations, giveaways, and DJ performances that connect the physical and virtual experiences. The Fortnite Festival IRL event provides fans with immersive opportunities to engage with both the Gorillaz and Fortnite brands simultaneously. The timing coincides with the 20th anniversary of Gorillaz’s seminal album “Demon Days,” celebrating their cultural longevity.
The partnership demonstrates the growing synergy between virtual bands and gaming platforms as mainstream entertainment hubs, further blurring the lines between music consumption and interactive gameplay experiences as Epic Games continues to pioneer hybrid entertainment strategies.
