The scene – Hyde Park, the occasion – the reunion of one of the greatest purveyors of the Britpop era, Blur.
After the release of 1999s ‘13’ the band sought to deviate from their alternative roots and began to experiment with hip-hop and African music with minimal guitar which was subsequently highlighted by Graham Coxon’s departure in 2003.
However, after venturing out into various callings such as solo efforts, fundraising in Africa and cheese-making, the original line-up were back with a vengeance to reclaim their dominance and as they took to the stage it was difficult to fathom that they had ever left us at all. Their comfort zone on stage was clearly evident with Damon Albarn stopping at one point to tie his shoelaces adding “If I don’t do it now I will have to do it later on anyway!”
They opened with ‘She’s So High’, the first track from their debut album ‘Leisure’. The euphoric response from the crowd upon the opening chords of the song confirmed the band’s resurrection with a bang. The usual suspects followed; ‘Coffee and TV (establishing Graham Coxon’s status as the coolest man on earth), ‘Girls and Boys’, ‘There’s No Other Way’ and ‘Country House’ with the addition of other favourites such as ‘Oily Water’ and ‘Popscene’. One of the surprises of the night came from Phil Daniels (also known as Kevin Wicks from Eastenders just in case you were wondering) who reprised his role as the wheedling double glazing salesman delivering words of wisdom on 1994’s smash hit ‘Parklife’. This also brought the fitting revelation from Albarn that the inspiration for the song came to him upon a stroll through Hyde Park.
The band were simply mesmerising and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better they performed the showstopper of the evening, Tender. The massive crowds who descended upon Hyde Park were brought together and singing in unison and Albarn added his own brand of resonance to the song by performing an a capella version of it which brought tears to the eyes (well certainly to mine) of those who were listening to it. However as the sun went down, gradually so did some of the magic of the evening. Nevertheless this slightly solemn atmosphere was short-lived as ‘This Is a Low’ was rapturously lifted up by the explosiveness of ‘Song 2.’ The second encore of the night came in the form of ‘The Universal’ which had fans singing all the way back to Victoria Station.
It is safe to say that Blur have secured their position in providing one of the most dazzling comeback concerts of recent years. Welcome back boys – we missed you!
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The scene – Hyde Park, the occasion – the reunion of one of the greatest purveyors of the Britpop era, Blur.
However, after venturing out into various callings such as solo efforts, fundraising in Africa and cheese-making, the original line-up were back with a vengeance to reclaim their dominance and as they took to the stage it was difficult to fathom that they had ever left us at all. Their comfort zone on stage was clearly evident with Damon Albarn stopping at one point to tie his shoelaces adding “If I don’t do it now I will have to do it later on anyway!”
