Image
Defender Teams Up With Gorillaz
Download

DEFENDER TEAMS UP WITH GORILLAZ FOR BRITISH BAND’S FIRST EVER STADIUM SHOW THIS WEEKEND IN LONDON 

20 June 2026

  • Music moment: Defender teams up with pioneering virtual band Gorillaz on an exclusive hero image by renowned British artist and Gorillaz co‑founder, Jamie Hewlett 
  • Art aesthetic: New work celebrates adventures through sound for band’s acclaimed The Mountain Tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 20 June 2026 
  • Adventures in Sound: Partnership blends Defender’s adventurous spirit with one of the most iconic visual worlds in contemporary music  

GAYDON, UK: Defender has joined forces with BRIT and Grammy‑winning virtual band Gorillaz, on an exclusive hero image by Gorillaz co‑creator and artist Jamie Hewlett, to celebrate adventures through sound and mark Gorillaz’ highly‑anticipated first‑ever stadium show at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 20 June 2026.    

The collaboration brings the real‑world Defender together with the iconic aesthetic of Gorillaz, featuring animated band members Murdoc Niccals, 2D, Russel Hobbs and Noodle, and inspired by the band’s latest album The Mountain. The exclusive image by Jamie Hewlett celebrates a creative meeting point between Defender and the virtual world of Gorillaz. Defender and Gorillaz are standing at the edge of the wilderness, where sound travels for miles, amplified and enhanced by nature, it acts as a call to adventure for those that recognise its distinct sound. 

Defender’s commitment will extend beyond the artwork to the show itself. A fleet of vehicles supports key artist and event movements that will see – in addition to the 13‑strong Gorillaz live band ‑ over 25 guest performers from 15 countries around the world descend on Tottenham for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, helping to bring the collaboration to life on the ground as well as across Defender and Gorillaz social channels. 

 “Defender has always stood for adventure and limitless exploration – from the beach to the island, and now the mountain. This collaboration with Jamie Hewlett and Gorillaz is a powerful expression of that. The Mountain Tour is an opportunity to connect with a global audience through live music and shared experiences, creating something that feels both culturally relevant and unmistakably Defender.” 

Mark Cameron
Managing Director, Defender

Further information

Montana Wright
Senior Lifestyle PR Officer, JLR (UK) 
Tel: +44 (0)7384 532524   
Email: montanawright@jaguarlandrover.com

SOCIAL CHANNELS

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@defender
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Defender/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defender/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@defender

Notes to Editors

ABOUT DEFENDER

Defender embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable and seriously durable. A modern‑day hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future.

Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own.

Defender can be specified from a range of powertrain options, including Defender 110 as an electric hybrid.

Defender Hard Top means business, with 90 and 110 body styles for professional capability.

The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of extreme performance – taking performance and capability to another level on and off‑road.

A beacon of liberty that can trace its roots back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust.

The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover – a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world‑renowned off‑road capability.

Defender is designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It forms part of JLR's portfolio of distinctive British brands.

ABOUT GORILLAZ

Created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz is singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs and Japanese guitar prodigy Noodle. The BRIT and Grammy‑winning virtual band formed following a collision of mishaps, meetings and pure luck to blow up a pre‑digital world with their colourful backstory and ground‑breaking virtual ways.

Based at Kong Studios, Gorillaz settled into a life of musical innovation with an eye‑wateringly exciting roster of collaborators, a list that includes musical legends, geniuses and future stars from Elton John to Little Simz, MF Doom to Jean‑Michel Jarre, Grace Jones to slowthai, Kali Uchis to Sidiki Diabaté, plus so many more.

With nine albums to the band’s  name, Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (2011), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018), Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez (2020), Cracker Island (2023) and the newly‑released The Mountain (2026), Gorillaz is a truly global phenomenon, achieving success in entirely new and unique ways, touring the world from San Diego to Syria, Montevideo to Manchester and winning numerous awards including the coveted Jim Henson Creativity Honor.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

JLR is constantly seeking ways to improve the specification, design and production of its vehicles, parts and accessories and alterations take place continually. Whilst every effort is made to produce up‑to‑date literature, this document should not be regarded as an infallible guide to current specifications or availability, nor does it constitute an offer for the sale of any particular vehicle, part or accessory.

Previous