A Digital Dream Come True: Gorillaz Confirmed as Fortnite Festival Season 10 Headliners

The virtual world of Fortnite is about to get a major dose of animated rock and roll, as Epic Games has officially confirmed that the legendary virtual band Gorillaz will be the headlining act for Fortnite Festival Season 10. This highly anticipated collaboration, which has been the subject of leaks and speculation for weeks, is a perfect synergy of two digital powerhouses. The news comes as the popular rhythm game mode is set to get a complete aesthetic overhaul to match the iconic style of the band.

The official announcement from Epic Games details a comprehensive crossover that will bring all four fictional members of the band—2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, and Noodle—into the Fortnite universe as playable Outfits. The collaboration, which launches on August 26, 2025, extends beyond just cosmetics, with new Jam Tracks, a redesigned Main Stage, and a unique monetization strategy that has already sparked debate among the community.

Unpacking the Gorillaz x Fortnite Collaboration

The excitement for this crossover is immense, and for good reason. Gorillaz, with their rich visual history and extensive catalog of hit songs, are a natural fit for Fortnite‘s ever-expanding metaverse. This is the first time since Metallica that a full band has headlined a Festival season, and Epic Games has handled it by splitting the band members between two different content tracks.

• The Fortnite Festival Music Pass: Players who purchase the premium Season 10 Music Pass will instantly unlock the Russel Hobbs Outfit. The final reward for completing the pass will be the Murdoc Niccals Outfit. The Pass, which costs 1,400 V-Bucks or is included with a Fortnite Crew subscription, also features a variety of other rewards, including:
  • Russel’s Drums: A Gorillaz-themed drum kit.
  • Murdoc’s Bass: An iconic piece of equipment for the band’s self-proclaimed leader.
  • New Jam Tracks: The pass will include the hit songs “On Melancholy Hill” and “DARE.”
• The Item Shop Bundle: The other half of the band, lead vocalist 2-D and guitarist Noodle, will be available as part of a premium bundle in the Item Shop. The bundle will include their Outfits, a variety of accessories, and the song “Clint Eastwood” as a Jam Track.

This split-monetization strategy—putting some members in the Battle Pass and others in the Item Shop—has been a point of contention for some fans. While it ensures that all four members are available, it forces players who want the full band to make two separate purchases. However, it is a creative solution to the unique challenge of bringing a four-person group into the game’s monetization structure.

New Main Stage and In-Game Features

To fully immerse players in the world of Gorillaz, the Fortnite Festival Main Stage has been completely redesigned. The new stage features a gritty, urban aesthetic, complete with towering buildings, a street train, and plenty of graffiti. This creative overhaul, which channels the visual style of the band’s early albums, is a testament to Epic Games’ commitment to delivering a truly authentic crossover experience.

The update also includes several quality-of-life improvements to the Fortnite Festival mode itself, such as a new “Good” note indicator for better visual feedback and improved sorting options in the music library. This shows that Epic is not just focused on the big-name collaborations but is also dedicated to improving the core gameplay experience for its players.

The Broader Impact of This Crossover

The Gorillaz collaboration is a significant moment for Fortnite and a clear signal of the game’s ongoing evolution into a full-fledged cultural platform. By partnering with a band that has always pushed the boundaries of digital and physical media, Fortnite is reinforcing its identity as a virtual space where music, art, and gaming converge.

For Epic Games, this is another win in a long line of successful collaborations that have cemented Fortnite‘s place at the top of the gaming industry. It demonstrates the company’s ability to attract and integrate a wide range of popular artists, from pop superstars like Lady Gaga and The Weeknd to iconic bands like Metallica and now Gorillaz. As the digital band makes its explosive debut, millions of players will be ready to “feel good” in the ever-changing, ever-expanding world of Fortnite.