AceShowbiz - Gorillaz made their first appearance on Saturday Night Live as the musical guest on the March 7, 2026 episode, which was hosted by Ryan Gosling.

The animated band, led by Damon Albarn, performed in support of their ninth studio album, The Mountain, released on February 27. The album quickly topped the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart, marking the band’s third No. 1 in the region.

Gorillaz opened their SNL set with their breakthrough single "Clint Eastwood" from their 2001 self-titled debut album. The performance featured a large screen projecting the band’s iconic animated characters while rapper Del the Funky Homosapien joined live onstage to deliver his verses.

For their second song, the group performed the newly released track "The Moon Cave." This number included special onstage appearances by singer-songwriter Asha Puthli, The Roots' Black Thought, and sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar. The performance was further enriched by a vibrant string section playing in the background.

Alongside their SNL debut, Gorillaz announced a North American tour to support The Mountain. The tour will begin on September 17 in Orlando, Florida, and conclude on Halloween in Seattle. This will be their first North American tour in four years. The new album follows 2023’s Cracker Island.

Earlier in the same episode, Ryan Gosling’s opening monologue was energized by a surprise cameo from Harry Styles. The singer’s unexpected presence in the audience caused an enthusiastic reaction from the studio crowd. Gosling incorporated the moment into his bit, humorously acknowledging that Styles was stealing the spotlight from his monologue.

Fans can watch Gorillaz’s performances from the March 7 episode online and find various streaming options for the full show through NBC platforms.