Bloody brilliant news, I'd sell my grandma to go and see Blur live.BLUR SPEAK: 'We are reuniting for Hyde Park gig' – Exclusive
Damon Albarn and co tell NME 'it just felt it was right again'
Blur are reforming to play live next year, NME can exclusively reveal.
The full line-up – Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree – will play their first gigs together since guitarist Coxon quit the band in 2002.
Speaking only to NME in a world exclusive joint interview, Albarn and Coxon explained that they had put their differences behind them and were looking forward to playing live in 2009.
"It just felt it was right again," declared Albarn of Blur's return. "It somehow feels like there's something for us to do again, we're not completely useless or pointless, we've got a reason to exist."
Coxon agreed, explaining the band were "making public what's been going on a little bit privately. For the benefit of the fans and those interested we can say that something's on the cards".
What is on the cards is a headlining show in Hyde Park, London on Friday, July 3.
Tickets will go on sale at 9am (GMT) this Friday (December 12). To check the availability of Blur tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/GIGS now, or call 0871 230 1094.
There are also rumours of further dates, including a possible appearance at the 2009 Glastonbury festival.
However, while the band refused to confirm any other shows, Albarn promised fans around the UK that the band would be announcing some more shows.
"We'll do something in London because that seems sensible," he said, "but we're also playing in other parts of the country working up to there."
You can watch a video of Blur talking about their reunion on NME.COM now.
For the full exclusive joint interview with Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon get this week's issue of NME (cover pictured), on newsstands in London this afternoon, and available across the UK tomorrow (December 10).
In it the duo discuss how they buried the hatchet, why they decided to reconvene Blur, what songs they expect to play next year, and reveal more of their future plans.
Meanwhile, head to the NME Office Blog to nominate the songs you'd most like to hear at Blur's Hyde Park gig.
Blur to Reunite
- Thread starter Ivor Ballokov
- Start date
Great news.
They were great live all those years ago. Let's hope they've still got it. And let's hope Coxon gives Damon a good hiding before they kiss and make up.
You seen them then? I don't know how I managed to miss them the first time around.
Hopefully they will play some festivals next year too.
Nobody has said it yet.
Bah, i will then.
..
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WOHOOOOOOO !
Bah, i will then.
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WOHOOOOOOO !
One thing that was great about blur was that they were always too cerebral for their success.
At my university they used to play this song and all the people would start dancing like it was some kind of celebration
At my university they used to play this song and all the people would start dancing like it was some kind of celebration
I've seem them a few times. Always a good night out. Don't miss them this time around, mate.
Not a chance, I'd even go down the extortion by ebay route if I have too.
Anyone reckon we will see some new material? I'm kind of 50/50 on it.
Fantastic news. Hope they play Oxegen.
If Coxon is willing to come back it means that either Damon Albarn has stopped being such a pretentious shit, or Coxon needs a few quid.
Given my lack of faith in Albarn, I'll go for option B.
Having said that, I'd say they'll be good gigs.
Given my lack of faith in Albarn, I'll go for option B.
Having said that, I'd say they'll be good gigs.
well you never hear about the Gorillaz anymore, and that new band something do do with a queen was utter shite
Sorry, I meant Coxon needs money, not Albarn. I've edited my post accordingly. I'd say he's minted after the success of Gorrillaz. The twat.
fecking brilliant, ill be trying to get tickets for these
Oasis and Blur within the space of a month
Oasis and Blur within the space of a month
The good, the bad and the queen album was good in my opinion and had a pretty good press reception from what I remember.
Albarn and Hewlett have been working on a stage show together and have already said that there are plans to release a third Gorillaz album. The first two sold 15 million copies which isn't too bad at all.
Albarn is a cnut though, no doubt.
The good, the bad and the queen album was good in my opinion and had a pretty good press reception from what I remember.
Albarn and Hewlett have been working on a stage show together and have already said that there are plans to release a third Gorillaz album. The first two sold 15 million copies which isn't too bad at all.
Albarn is a cnut though, no doubt.
I agree I thought the good the bad and the queen was a quality album, some great bass lines from Paul Simonon in there.
hopefully that gimp alex james will not be such a fag this time round.
that monstrous flick hair do, combined with all that ' wwwooohhhoooo' was just to much to handle. my missus' cousin met damon not to long ago in a bar in camden. says he's a really nice guy.
that monstrous flick hair do, combined with all that ' wwwooohhhoooo' was just to much to handle. my missus' cousin met damon not to long ago in a bar in camden. says he's a really nice guy.
best news of the year
Was never a big Blur fan but I can still appreciate that they are better than 99% of the indie shite that is around nowadays
I am off to see Damon's 'Monkey: Journey To The West' show next week
I am off to see Damon's 'Monkey: Journey To The West' show next week
I saw Good Bad and the Queen when their album came out - great show, so much atmosphere. Paul Simonon is an intimidating figure. I liked the album as well.
Good to hear about Blur, it's reassuring to see they're still kicking around. Haven't listened to them in ages though.
Good to hear about Blur, it's reassuring to see they're still kicking around. Haven't listened to them in ages though.
What do you reckon is Blur's best album? I have their greatest hits, but wanna hear more of them. Like Pigeon said, hopefully they'll play Oxegen
Personally I'd say 13 is their best album, and then Think Tank, but I'm sure a few will disagree with me.
Think Tank ain't no Blur album. No Coxon, no Blur. Parklife for me.
I also prefer Blur from the 'blur' and '13' era rather than the earlier stuff
Gayest band ever
i think the village people and right said fred would have something to say about that. as for best album, got to be 13. think tank was utter shite, and parklife was laughable when compared to the quality of the oasis stuff from the same era. parklife was 'shitpop' and epitomised 'stool britania'.
Some clever wordplay there. That said, you obviously don't know much about music/life/the universe if you feel it's relevant to compare Parklife to an Oasis album in any way, shape or form. They were fighting over NME covers, they sounded nothing alike.
i obviously don't know much ? steady on lad. it is my view and therefore my perception. agreed it is difficult to compare the artists /albums, but when media classify them in the same genre, it somehow justifies it.
also agreed is that they were fighting over magazine covers. but tell me, tell me this Elliot, being the leading authority on the mid 90s indie scene that you are (
), of the particular era in question, how the feck did the pitiful 'country house' keep the awesome rock and roll of 'roll with it' (that practically epitomised the britpop era) of the number one spot. with all your musical expertise, i dare say you will have the answer. i somehow feel as if i've been lured into this row. blur, great band. was just stating i thought parklife was a bit cheesy in parts. now el wants to say i know nothing and crucify me. nice.Just got my tickets.
Gayer than The Pet Shop Boys or The Village People?
Blur was their best album IMO
hope they do a world tour the wankers!
hope they do a world tour the wankers!
i obviously don't know much ? steady on lad. it is my view and therefore my perception. agreed it is difficult to compare the artists /albums, but when media classify them in the same genre, it somehow justifies it.
also agreed is that they were fighting over magazine covers. but tell me, tell me this Elliot, being the leading authority on the mid 90s indie scene that you are (
I thought Country House was on The Great Escape?
Well at least the Pet Shop Boys acted gay and admitted liking gerbils in their rectal passages whilst Blur ponced about like pretend-Cockneys looking like androgenous students, singing songs that 'Woo-hoo, woo-hoo' and 'Girls who do boys who do boys who do boys who do boys who bum boys' and all that shite.
IMO that's bullshit.
I've been a fan of Blur from Modern Life onwards and own all their albums, but for me Think Tank is their strongest album to date. And if the reason for that is that Coxon had nothing to do with it then so be it. Damon Alburn for me has proved himself as being an extremely diverse and talented musician with obviously Blur, the excellent Gorillaz and his latest project Good Bad (which for me tbh doesn't quite do it, but still I can appreciate the talent involved).
Anyway, I'm thinking you are obviously a Coxon fan, so I can appreciate your sentiment, but imo he is lacking without Damon, hence the reason for the reunion I guess, I hope it doesn't mean a downturn in the music because I liked where they were going.
I'd just like to add that I went to see Blur on the Think Tank tour at the Manchester Apollo, for me that gig ranks in the top 3 gigs I've ever been too and I've been to a fair amount of great gigs in the past. Can't wait for them to tour outside London, hopefully at the Apollo again, good times
What did you think of Good the Bad and the Queen, Nome? I thought it was a strong album.
Unfortunately the chances of Blur coming to America are small, as are the chances of me being in England when they're playing, but oh well.
Unfortunately the chances of Blur coming to America are small, as are the chances of me being in England when they're playing, but oh well.
I couldn't give you a strong critique on it tbh, as I have only given it a couple of listens, quite a while ago, and it didn't grab me it has to be said, although I haven't ruled it out until I revisit it again at some point in the future.
What did you think of Think Tank?
i obviously don't know much ? steady on lad. it is my view and therefore my perception. agreed it is difficult to compare the artists /albums, but when media classify them in the same genre, it somehow justifies it.
also agreed is that they were fighting over magazine covers. but tell me, tell me this Elliot, being the leading authority on the mid 90s indie scene that you are (
kick horns. they win every time.
It's funny, at the time of the whole Blur/Oasis shite, I was a fan of both.
I hated both Country House and Roll With It.
I hated both Country House and Roll With It.
I love both songs but country house is better imo.
Name your three favourite blur songs, Nomers....go!
feck, give me a minute.........