Blur at the Beebs - Maida Vale Live Blog

We're listening online at BBC 6 iPlayer (click to listen) and reporting on the 2 hour radio show, plus the one hour gig that follows.

• 4:00pm - Steve opened with talking about Blur, and from the way he talked, it seemed that he was really into the band and all.
• 4: 15pm - 'Fool (Demo)' played. Pity about not playing 'She's so High' (Seymour Version) which Steve Lamacq has a copy of. Yes, we've seen it. 
• 4:30pm - Show is playing old interviews from 1994, between blur and the evening session team of Steve and Jo, about Blur's tours and now 'Delicious' by Sleeper is on because they supported Blur on tour during 1994. 
• 4:40pm - 'For Tomorrow' is playing. Great to hear some early Blur memories, including some saying that Blur "weren't that great" and were "last on the set". 
• 4:44pm - Graham Coxon talking about 'Parklife' - Steve is playing the archive BBC recordings (available via our new site section 'Blur Archive Project' !) 
• 4:46pm - 'End of a century' ? It's gone now. Dave Rowntree up - "didn't have the lungs" to play the bagpipe. All old information from the Blur books ... if you've read them that is. Dave our man - it's great to finally hear him on radio since we rarely do. "What a cunt" - about Damon. 
• 4:48pm - Dave says that people don't get annoyed at the Blur sound checks. How could they when everyone on twitter is saying how amazing the sound checks for Maida Vale TONIGHT are ? #bluratthebeeb is trending! 
• 4:51pm - Thanks BBC 6 Music for the retweet about this live blogging post! Support. 'London Loves' is on - one of my all time favourites. Mysteries of a speeding heart.... 
• 4:52pm - Ha - "Everyone's voice has changed except Graham". True or not ? 
• 4:55pm - Idlewild! Support band of Blur. Damon talking about 'Parklife' - inspirations...Cardiacs, Chopin...music he loved when he was young. Damon's an "aspiring cook" - Fish and red peppers anyone ? 

• 5:00pm - Wow, one hour's passed and I've heard more Blur on the radio than in many, many months. Great to hear archive interviews, it's so emotional. Alex James' mini space rant. 
• 5:00pm - "As soon as I've got some money I'm going to start a space programme" - Alex James, why haven't you kept that promise ? Has cheese gotten in the way ? 'Far Out' playing - the rare song where Alex actually sings. 'Rednecks' next please. Request it!  
• 5:02pm - Just realised Graham Coxon played Saxophone in Idlewild's gig. We've got proof! 
• 5:03pm - Blur appeared on the BBC NEWS! They played a B-side in their sound check, which means only one thing - an amazing gig is coming. 
• 5:04pm - Blur World Cup - my favourite show from the Blur Radio website (click to check it out) ... I used to listen to this show on loop. Amazing to hear it again on actual radio. 
• 5:08pm - Snippets from the Blur World Cup. 'The Universal' vs. 'Girls and Boys' - the latter wins. More classic Blur singles fight against each other. In my opinion, all deserve to win because lets face it - they're all bloody brilliant. 'High' vs 'Low'. 
• 5:09pm - Who said that Blur weren't focused on the charts ? Damon's obsessed! At least back then in the interviews. Blur forum drama re-lived ? 
• 5:15pm - More Blur world cupping. 'M.O.R' is Damon's favourite song to play live. But I'm wondering - which B-side did Blur play in their warm up today ? I'm so curious. Maybe 'Inertia' or 'Young and Lovely' ? 
• 5:18pm - Think Tank is amazing. 'Music is my Radar' - great great great. Side note: I just asked someone who went past Maida Vale Studios thrice this afternoon to try their luck and 'bump' into Blur. Turns out he only saw Smoggy... no Blur. Folks out there - you lucky people.  
• 5:21pm - Graham - "When Streety was inventing Britpop". Quote of the week. Class. Remember this if anything. The world cup (not Olympics, the Blur one) is still continuing. Damon's calling a friend - using up his options ?
• 5:24pm - Of course 'Song 2' is going to win ! Me thinks. Blur just called themselves the "Woo hoo guys" - did you know that they actually whistled in the demo version ? And it was a lot slower too! The original 'Song 2' demo is more reggae style. 
• 5:28pm - Dave will never go against 'Parklife' - die hard...yes! More 'World Cup' stuff, moving onto the finals now. Wonder what's next ? 

• 5:30pm - Check out the picture above - We're drooling at the tickets (and wishing we could grab them off cyberspace) 
• 5:36pm - The Kinks - Well Respected Man. Remember Damon's singing with Ray Davies - Waterloo Sunset ?
• 5:38pm - Steve has seen the setlist. Steve has seen it. When will we see it ? Dave Rowntree is talking about police stations. He said he got recognized by the police! "No one expects Blur to be wearing a suit. They'd expect us to be wearing a cheeky grin". Aw. Blur has "real self belief". Now Alex James thinks bands are too "polite" nowadays, less swagger and staring up.
• 5:48pm - Got distracted, chatting to a dear Blur fan. Now 'On Your Own' is playing, and yes, I do relate to the lyrics. Brimming with excitement. Wishing I was in London so badly! 
• 5:52pm - John Peel Blur performance is featured now. Huge bin full of unopened demos in Peel's house, and Graham had the guts to say Blur's were probably in there! Remember Damon singing in Peel Acres ? 
• 5:56pm - Blur live interview! Graham Coxon watched the men's gymnastics event. He got diving tickets. Damon is questioning about the Olympics swimming pool. Damon said he's going to "red button" the table tennis games. Well Damon, go ahead and play your mini-tennis games, I'm going to red button YOUR gig tonight. 
• 5:58pm - "Silk trousers" - what it feels like being inside a Blur song. Graham Coxon quote of the MONTH! 
• 5:59pm - I'm betting 'Young and Lovely' is being played tonight. Oh, so it's about a teenager going out alone at night ? The way Damon says "ironic" is so funny - it's all mono-tonal. Are they going to keep reforming every couple of years ? 
• 6:01pm - No - Blur don't go! Even though we know you guys have to set up for the GIG NEXT HOUR! The Clash is amazing. 
• 6:06pm - Watch the gig LIVE NOW! Here! Look at the crowd - all standing there looking excited. And in reply to Dominic: Yes dear, you should totally be in the crowd seeing as you live 15 minutes away from the Maida Vale Studios, but you know how the BBC only gave tickets to very very few lucky fans...(and some media people). Check out the Maida Vale set below. 

• 6:14pm - It's always nice to hear Blur fans talking about being Blur fans. Nuff said. Just saw a sign - "Blur at Maida Vale will be followed shortly" pop up on the video. Excited! 
• 6:17pm - Blur is finally up! Watch them move on the BBC 6 Music website. 
• 6:19pm - Alex James looking sharp in blue. I see Smoggy - spot Smoggy. 
• 6:24pm - Track 1: Jubilee ! Live and amazing! Damon looking SHARP. 
• 6:26pm - Track 2: The Puritan. I lost the bet - thought it would be The Universal. Bloody. Brilliant song. This song just gets better and better for me. So Blur. Damon just looks like he just woke up - a little lost look. Foot stamping and funny LA-LA-LAs, what could be better? It was full of energy. 
• 6:29pm - Break ? Is singing two songs that tiring ? 
• 6:31pm - Fashion Update: Damon is in Fred Perrys, Alex James is crispy and sharp in blue, Graham Coxon looking Gorillaz-ish and very cool in blue and white stripes, and Dave Rowntree is um....Dave. 
• 6:40pm - An extra long coffee break ? Alex James left outside speaking to fans. Where's Damon ? Alex James getting a picture and Damon's looking pissed off - jealous of the attention ? Earl Zinger - Song 2 playing - sounds like Song 2's early demo. Really great track. 
• 6:45pm - Track 3: Caramel . Steve wearing a 'Modern Life is Rubbish' shirt - on my want list. They've NEVER played this live before. They've NEVER played this song live before. I repeat - They've NEVER played this live before. They've NEVER played this song live before!
• 6:52pm - Track 4: Trimm Trabb - Best song on 13 ? Along with Coffee and TV ? 
• 6:57pm - Two more Blur songs before gig ends. 'The Universal' playing in the background as the boys take a well deserved break. Having an emotional breakdown due to 'Caramel' being played live. Oh wow. Will upload it to BlurBall's youtube channel now. 
• 7:01pm -Track 5: Young and Lovely - B-side. Lovely song.
• 7:08pm - Last track - Track 6: Under the Westway. Pure epicness. 
• 7:12pm - Track 7: Intermission (Bonus track)  - a pleasant surprise and wow, never thought it would make such an amazing session wrapper. The band looked like they had so much fun playing... brings us back to the heydays of Britpop and Modern Life is Rubbish. Dave rocked the drums! 

And that's it. For the 2nd Maida Vale Studios gig, check out our live blogging here (again with exclusive videos and rare footages). Download the audio (mp3) of both shows here. The full set list of the Blur Maida Vale 2012 - July 31st BBC 6 gig is the following:

1. Jubilee
2. The Puritan
3. Caramel 
4. Trimm Trabb
5. Young and Lovely
6. Under The Westway
7. Intermission 

Damon Albarn says Blur will continue after 2012- HERE

The Puritan- new track HERE

Damon Albarn says it's the End of Blur! Read HERE

Top 7 Blur Updates of 2012 HERE

Check out Blur's rumoured new album HERE. 

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Damon Albarn torn over whether Blur should record new album

BLUR NEWS: All's well in the rehearsals, the Hyde Park show preparations and all's good in the interpersonal relationship side of things. But Damon Albarn has admitted that he is unsure about the possibility of Blur ever recording a new album. 
   
Pressparty reports:

Damon Albarn has admitted that he’s torn over whether Blur should record a new studio album.

Rumours about a possible follow-up to 2003’s ‘Think Tank’ have been circulating ever since the band reformed for a series of comeback gigs in 2009, but the 44-year-old told Q magazine that he’s still unsure whether it would be a good idea:

“It’s very much on my mind. I feel very…torn between a lot of different emotions. I’m undecided about how I feel. The problem is, I’m constantly asked about it and I don’t really know. 

“Genuinely, as a human being – not as Damon Albarn, whatever that is – as just a person. I don’t know how I feel.”

The Britpop icon, whose band will perform at the Olympics closing ceremony gig in Hyde Park next month, went on to add:

“There’s part of me that would love to be able to bring it into our 40s and our sort of family world. But does it belong in that world?

“That’s the other side of it. Do any of us need that? And I have got so many more interesting things to do.”

There seems to be no solid "yes/ no" answer right now as to the band's future. But why ask so many questions when we can enjoy Blur this summer for their massive gigs, warm up shows and exhibition? 

Blur is also featured on this month's Q Magazine cover - watch out for Damon's toothy smile and the other Blur members on the front. 

Get your copy of Q Magazine, out on 31st July (Tuesday) in your local newsstand. There will be an exclusive interview with Damon Albarn about Blur and the coming gigs. 

Damon Albarn says Blur will continue after 2012- HERE

The Puritan- new track HERE

Damon Albarn says it's the End of Blur! Read HERE

Top 7 Blur Updates of 2012 HERE

Check out Blur's rumoured new album HERE. 

Liked this article? Share it to everyone and leave us a comment. 

If you missed old news, visit the NEWS ARCHIVE to read about past news!

Remember to subscribe now to RSS to stay tuned for the Latest Blur News, delivered straight to you- BlurBalls is the most updated Blur fan site on the internet!  "LIKE" BlurBalls on Facebook.

Blur - The Countdown to the Hyde Park 2012 Olympics Gig

Last night's Olympics Opening Ceremony was epic - Blur's 'Song 2' came on for about 10 seconds. And the crowds went wild. "WOO HOO" was heard all over the stadium and the crowds chanted along, much unlike that Brit Award performance we all know about. Blur was on - short and sweet. 

Promotional Poster

But have you ever wondered about the design process of Blur's album arts, merchandise or art work in general? Who makes the posters, ads, videos, chooses the colours and picks the designs?

For the Hyde Park Olympics gig, which is considered to be Blur's biggest event in the last decade, there are many talented graphic designers and artists working hard to produce and develop on every detail for the upcoming shows.

The following fabulous poster was originally designed for Blur's Eleven Management to promote Blur's Hyde Park summer gigs. As it is not in use right now, designer Sharon Chai of eyeflyhigh.com kindly contacted us to share her interesting and beautiful poster. 

Alternative Hyde Park Poster - can you spot the Girls and Boys cover ?

It contains many references to Blur's album artwork in an Olympic context, including the greyhound standing at third place, the signature man from Think Tank standing at second place and the leisure swimsuit model on the very top. 

The Big Ben and other iconic structures of London feature in the background. There's even a milky present in the foreground.

After witnessing 4 billion people tune into Blur's 'Song 2' during the Olympics opening ceremony last night, it all seems very close to the Blur gig. 

Less than 1 month now!

There's less than 1 month till the Hyde Park concerts (beginning on August 12th 2012) - anticipation is building up in the Blur camp. Will they play the new Blur songs again ? What will the setlist be like? 

Damon Albarn wowed by Magician Impossible

A new Damon Albarn clip where he and his daughter, Missy Albarn, watches Dynamo the magician perform a coin and hand trick. Damon invited the magician back to his London studio after meeting him at a New York Gorillaz concert during one of his tours.

Obviously, Damon was impressed and stunned by this performance. We are too - the hand trick was just amazing!



Damon Albarn says Blur will continue after 2012- HERE

The Puritan- new track HERE

Damon Albarn says it's the End of Blur! Read HERE

Top 7 Blur Updates of 2012 HERE

Check out Blur's rumoured new album HERE. 

Liked this article? Share it to everyone and leave us a comment. 

If you missed old news, visit the NEWS ARCHIVE to read about past news!

Remember to subscribe now to RSS to stay tuned for the Latest Blur News, delivered straight to you- BlurBalls is the most updated Blur fan site on the internet!  "LIKE" BlurBalls on Facebook.

Damon Albarn - Blur Will Still Be Playing live after the Olympics

Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon appeared on a brand new interview for BBC Two's Culture Show on July 25th 2012. Apart from the funny Leisure-era introduction clip at the beginning (note the floppy hair), the interview was serious, reflective and hinted at Blur's bright future. 

The interview's focus was on whether the band's comeback for the massive Hyde Park gig marks the 'end-of-Blur' or a new beginning. There's some interesting talk on 'Under the Westway' being Blur's "response to the London 2012 Olympics". There are even some clues as to what the band are going to do in the future.

The clip was recorded on the rooftop where the band played their hymn 'Under the Westway' live on July 2nd. The background features the very highway that inspired the song's theme. Damon and Graham, the key songwriters for the band, looked fresh and cheerful against the backdrop of a cloudy sky.

Damon also said that Muse's Olympics song may not be something they will "play in a few years time". He added - "We will still be playing Under the Westway".

"We will still be playing Under the Westway" 

- Damon Albarn on BBC July 2nd 

Hold on a second - could this mean Blur WILL be playing new shows with their brand new single in a few year's time ? This seems to imply Blur will be continuing to perform after the summer!



It is a very nice interview and generally what the boys said were very positive - they even said that the box set did not represent a 'goodbye present' to hardcore Blur fans, and that fans should "take it as they come" without assuming the end of Blur. Certainly, this is very ,very reassuring. 

But of course, one thing continues to remain unknown - will Blur truly continue to play after their summer shows ?

Could we take this Damon comment seriously ?

Order the new Blur vinyl HERE

The Puritan- new track HERE

Damon Albarn says it's the End of Blur! Read HERE

Is Damon and Graham Coxon recording together? Find out HERE

Check out Blur's rumoured new album HERE. 

Liked this article? Share it to everyone and leave us a comment. 

If you missed old news, visit the NEWS ARCHIVE to read about past news!

Remember to subscribe now to RSS to stay tuned for the Latest Blur News, delivered straight to you- BlurBalls is the most updated Blur fan site on the internet!  "LIKE" BlurBalls on Facebook.

Top 7 Updates from the Blurosphere - Blur

While Blur have been rehearsing feverishly (we hope!) for their Hyde Park Olympics gig, the Blur graphics design and PR team have been also working hard behind the scenes. 

There has been many changes on the http://blur.co.uk, the band's official site, and we bring you the 5 must-visit updates and pages this week. 

1. Blur iPad / iPhone App
is now out - download it from iTunes (free, compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch) for an awesome interactive experience to celebrate the Blur21 box set and the band's musical  contribution. Lots of rare new pictures and cool features to be explored. Definitely worth getting immediately - be prepared for many hours of Blur nostalgia! 
2. Official Blur Shop - this merchandise shop is now open, selling tees that were printed even from the 90s (Blur McNormal Vintage Red T-shirt and others). CDs, beer mat sets, Hyde Park lithograph, Blur's new 7 inch vinyl, box set and the new 'Under the Westway' single and even a Blur track jacket are in stock. 
3. Blur Timeline - well-designed little London tube map imitation widget for all to explore Blur's history, videos, cultural information, film, art, international, music and even all the Blur locations featured in their music videos and work. This new feature is Blur's discography and live history at it's best. What's more - YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE to the timeline by selecting "Add a Memory" on any stop, and following the instructions to submit your Blur note to the official site. 




4. Watch the BBC Maida Vale Gig - live on July 31st - to be broadcasted LIVE on the blur.co.uk official site. Great news for those who can't make it to the gig, or did not win the BBC Blur ticket lucky draw to the rare intimate show. 
5. Blur 21 Remastered tracks available - via iTunes. All the Stephen Street remastered albums including extra tracks and previously unheard demos, live versions and extra tidbits can be previewed for 90 seconds / downloaded on the music store. The tracks are in excellent quality and are much clearer than the album tracks currently available. 

Just two more interesting 'non-official site' related links: -  

1. Blurry Picture Game - There's huge support for Blur's comeback from BBC and BBC 6 Music - the latter is holding a game where fans have to guess the blurry Blur memorabilia or item posted each day leading up to the BBC 6 Maida Vale gig. Join in the fun and guess today's picture - we have to admit that today's picture is a tough one to guess. 
2. Blur21 Box Set Review - Read all about the Blur21 Box set that BBC reviewed positively. They even went so far as suggesting that "the absence of new single Under the Westway/The Puritan suggests that 21 is not a full-stop". Could this be true ? Could this mean there could be more Blur after the 'end' of 2012? 

With Blur back for the summer, it seems everything's in full swing. There's a new Blur exhibition, Blur game, Blur review, a new Blur CD and vinyl, a new Blur21 Box Set and some new gigs and shows.

Blur, Blur, Blur ... could this get any better ?

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Damon Albarn works on Mali Music amidst Blur rehearsals

Damon Albarn has been working on something other than Blur and Britpop- Mali Music. The Blur singer was featured on The Sunday Telegraph Magazine this July, with a special interview talking about African music, religion, being in Africa to visit a friend and many more related musical chit chat.

A new single 'Bamako' was also debuted live, and the video is streaming on Oxfam's official youtube channel. Damon joined up with Malian musician Afel Bocoum for a special performance from the album 'Mali Music', an album Damon produced in 2002 with collaborations with several Malian singers and musicians.

All scans Credit: damon4president from the official Blur forums

The scans for the magazine article can be accessed below. Funny quotes, Damon-isms, typical rants, philosophical debate and talk about Modern Life is Rubbish, Blur's second album, can also be found on the article.

 

Also, scroll down to check out the new videos of the frontman. Damon's perhaps taking some time off Blur rehearsals to do something meaningful and productive for his previous works, and also raise money for Oxfam's worthy cause.

Note the head bobbing, snappy outfit, summer heat and how he's so into the music he creates. Making new Blur songs and new Mali music? Rehearsing for their massive Hyde Park Olympics gig too? Planning African Express and the train tour?

Damon's hectic schedule may have just gotten a bit busier than usual!

  

Order the new Blur vinyl HERE
The Puritan- new track HERE

Damon Albarn says it's the End of Blur! Read HERE

Is Damon and Graham Coxon recording together? Find out HERE

Check out Blur's rumoured new album HERE. 

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Blur to be special headliners for 100 club gig

GIG NEWS: After a few weeks of speculation, the truth about who is the secret guests for a Converse-hosted special gig is revealed. And obviously, the very special guests that night are none other than Blur, who will headline REPRESENT at the legendary 100 Club (Oxford Street, London) on August 2nd 2012. 

The background image of the poster is from Blur's 'No Distance Left to Run'

This will be the first official warm up gig ever for Blur in 2012, just before their massive Hyde Park Olympics gig a few weeks after this show. There are around 200 pairs of tickets available for this performance, so it is definitely going to be an intimate and close-up gig for the few chosen lucky fans!


To get a chance to watch Blur live in this special event, register for tickets on the official Converse website (www.converse.co.uk/blur) from 9:00am - 6:00pm (UK time) on Wednesday, August 1st 2012. 


Order the new Blur vinyl HERE

The Puritan- new track HERE

Damon Albarn says it's the End of Blur! Read HERE

Is Damon and Graham Coxon recording together? Find out HERE

Check out Blur's rumoured new album HERE. 

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

If you missed old news, visit the NEWS ARCHIVE to read about past news!

Remember to subscribe to RSS and "LIKE" BlurBalls on Facebook.

Stay Tuned, leave us a comment below and Get The Latest Blur News delivered straight to you- BlurBalls is the most updated Blur fan site on the internet!

Blur: Under the Westway (William Orbit Version) Lyrics

Blur - Under the Westway (William Orbit Version) 

Lyrics 

The sky won in my city today

She was so blue she swallowed the Monday

On the 52

As the traffic grew

Upon the Westway

Here I sat watching comets lonesome trails

Shining up above me

The jet fuel it fell

Down to earth where the money always comes first

And the chorus sings

Where is the day they switch off the machines

The men in yellow jackets put adverts in my dreams

Government why do you always lie

But I soon know

Captain hit the rocks so he had to fall

Throwing you love would

Suffer the rising 
Call for radical change 
'cause your mind's deranged

If you think I want to be like that

I ain't cruel

You're as tied to me

As I am to you

All aboard

Take the lifeboats home

that may defend us

It's pouring out of us today

La la la la la la la la

And it's pouring out us today

La la la la la la la la

Sold the world like everyone else does

Cock and Bull

I downed a rum or two with you

I dream of the sun

I dream the sun like everyone else does

Work's done

On Friday night in public houses

We are wonderful, Pathetic, or just

Plain gone

So it's magic arrows hitting the bull

Doing one eighty while sounding the call

And the flags coming down

And the last post sounds just like a love song

For the way I feel about you

Forgetting paradise, it's with you

On a permanent basis I apologise

But I am going to sing hallelujah

Sing it out loud, sing it to you

Always lost in the sea

'Till the tide it washes over me

Thanks D for compiling the lyrics !