Gorillaz’ Kong Studios tool opens to artists as Openstage launches Fanbase API

Gorillaz‘ Kong Studios virtual world is now powered by a tool that any artist can use. Notably, fan data and marketing platform Openstage has just launched its Fanbase API, opening the technology behind the Gorillaz site to the wider music industry. Meanwhile, Yungblud joins Gorillaz as the first headline client on the new toolset.

Openstage built the original infrastructure behind Kong Studios. The site functions as a virtual gathering space. Fans explore the Gorillaz’ living quarters, listen to music, play games and unlock content. In turn, the Fanbase API now exposes that engine to any artist building their own custom fan world.

Crucially, the platform handles digital wallet passes, ticket access, exclusive content gates and dynamic fan experiences. Furthermore, Gorillaz introduced the Kong Card in September 2025. The digital membership pass grants holders a personalised avatar, early access to rooms, ticket pre-sales, merchandise and new songs.

Yungblud’s deployment is the second flagship use case. Equally, the API is designed to give artists deeper control over their fan ecosystem outside the standard streaming and social channels. Fan data sits with the artist rather than the platform.

Openstage frames the launch as the foundation for the next generation of artist-fan worlds. The pitch sits in line with the wider industry pivot toward direct-to-fan models. In short, artists who can build a recurring digital home for their audience now have a serious technology partner.

Still, the bigger story is what Fanbase API enables for electronic and dance acts. Producers with strong visual identities, label-led collectives and immersive-show artists could all plug the engine into their own worlds. Moreover, the format suits scenes built on long-running mythologies.

Finally, Openstage is rolling out the platform to additional artist clients across the rest of the year. Visit Kong Studios for the live Gorillaz build.