If you’ve ever wanted to buy a hoodie from a fictional cartoon band that somehow has more credibility than half the industry, congratulations. Gorillaz just opened up the House of Kong LA Gift Shop, and downtown Los Angeles is now officially animated.
The pop-up is running at 1005 Mateo Street, offering everything from album-spanning apparel to collectibles, comics, mugs and more. The doors are open to the public, which means yes, you too can walk into a room dedicated to one of the most creatively fearless projects in modern music.
And let’s pause for a second: Gorillaz are not just a “cool art project.” They’re Grammy winners. “Feel Good Inc.” won Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. “Demon Days” topped charts around the world. “Cracker Island” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums. They’ve been nominated across genres because they basically ignore genres.
Also, little-known fact for anyone who somehow missed the Britpop era: the mastermind behind Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, is also the frontman of Blur. Yes, that Blur. The band responsible for “Song 2,” which permanently imprinted “woo-hoo!” into the brains of anyone who owned Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater back in the day. You’re welcome for that nostalgia trip.
Back to L.A. The House of Kong shop lands just ahead of the band’s new album The Mountain, their ninth studio release. They’ve already sold out two nights at the Hollywood Palladium, performing the album front-to-back. Casual behavior for a band that doesn’t physically exist.
There’s also a photo opportunity with the 1969 Chevy Camaro from the “Stylo” video, because of course there is. Gorillaz don’t do subtle.
The pop-up precedes the immersive House of Kong exhibition, an audiovisual experience created by Albarn and longtime visual architect Jamie Hewlett. If you’ve followed the band from the beginning, you already know this isn’t just music. It’s a fully built universe. And somehow, two decades in, it still feels fresh.
And just to add another layer, Gorillaz are making their Saturday Night Live debut soon. Yes, an animated band. On SNL. The simulation continues.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Gorillaz are absolutely awesome. They deserve every bit of recognition they get. They’ve influenced alternative rock, hip-hop, electronic, pop and visual art culture without ever playing by the standard rulebook. That’s rare.
If you’re in Los Angeles, go see the shop. If you’re on Florida’s east coast, open the Static Live Music app and find a real show near you. We cover Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach and beyond, and we’re expanding city by city. Download it, use it, support live music like you mean it.
Because whether it’s cartoon legends in L.A. or a local band down the street, the only thing that matters is that the music keeps moving.
