Gorillaz perform augmented reality concert in New York and London

The virtual band Gorillaz, founded by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, performed an augmented reality concert simultaneously in Times Square, New York, and Piccadilly Circus, London, on December 17, 2022. The event promoted their single "Skinny Ape" from the upcoming album "Cracker Island," scheduled for February 2023. The AR experience was made possible through a collaboration with Google, using the geospatial API of Google ARCore. This technology allows developers to link user coordinates with geographic data from Google Street View, enabling digital content like 3D models to appear in real-world locations. Fans could view the performance on their smartphones or on giant LED screens in the two squares. The concert attracted hundreds of attendees and showcased the band's ongoing innovation in merging music, technology, and animation.