Top 10 things to check out -Blur Hyde Park Olympics 2012 Gig Special

Special Report - Post- Olympic Blur Craze: Top 10 things to do after Hyde Park 

Things to do after Blur's Hyde Park gig - this week, we sum up the top hottest, must-see, must-have Blur items and releases for the die hard fans / lucky fans who went / those who missed the performance , or anyone who's interested in getting a piece of post- Olympic music action (including ourselves over here at BlurBalls!):

1) Blur - Parklive (Live)

The digital audio release of Blur's massive, sold out Hyde Park gig on August 12th 2012. Just in the for the end of London's glorious Olympics event. Both fans who went and fans who didn't will be able to re-live the experience of one of the band's finest show. Physical CD plus DVD will be released in November. Highlights include Caramel (live) and Song 2 (live) - the latter replaced 'The Puritan' in an unexpected Damon decision.  

Get it here on iTunes store now. 

2) Hyde Park merchandise 

We're not advertising anything but personally, these new cool Blur shirts are very worth getting. They're beautiful, bold and represent Blur's Hyde Park 2012 gig. Makes great gifts, pyjamas, workout clothes, casual clothes, party outfits, jogging suit... and they're going to be great memorabilia for years to come. You can even get the Hyde Park poster in full large size to stick up your wall, or have it framed to add to your collection. We're loving the Hyde Park navy shirt most! 

Visit Blur's official shop here. 

3) Admire the #BlurHydePark2012 photo stream 

Very worth checking out - as fans watched live that day, they tweeted and posted pictures on Instagram, and the tag "#blurhydepark2012" automatically added their posts to a beautiful stream of images on Blur's official site. Just load the page and watch endless Blur images pop out everywhere... literally Blur heaven right here. Plus for fans who didn't go, you can easily re-live the gig by vicarious experience. Hey, better than nothing right ? 

Jump to the Blur Hyde Park photostream here.  

4) Watch snippets on Youtube

Since the physical Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park 2012) CD isn't released until November, we have to rely on our number one source: Youtube. This user (click here) has several well-recorded tracks including 'Tender' , "Girls and Boys' and 'Country House' which you can view. Alternatively, you can just do a simple search. And since we try to make Blur things simpler for you...

Click here to watch Blur at Hyde Park (Youtube) 

5) Get a piece of actual Hyde Park memorabilia - Milky Carton and Posters

No one knows what goes on in ebay after gigs - except that the occasional seller (who attends gigs and doesn't know any Blur song, or thinks the lead singer is called "Damien" and is wondering why there aren't any Gorillaz songs being played) and fans who put stuff up for sale.

The Hyde Park gig has some surprises - a milky carton was given out as live memorabilia for the audience.

It's the one from 'Coffee and TV' and measures 9 inch by 4 inches! One of them appeared on ebay - and it is indeed very cute. Belongs to any collector's desk, so bid when prices are still low. We're also guessing there will be more rare things on ebay soon - especially as Blur cools down their engines.

Check out the milk carton on ebay now.

6) Blur Hyde Park 2012 Image Gallery 

Feast your eyes on this set of high quality, high resolution professional Blur pictures - there's lots more circulating around the internet but 'Blur Peru''s  album is by far the most comprehensive and fullest one out there. 

Did we mention how the boys are looking better and better recently? Highlights include Damon screaming on top of his lungs and Alex James looking cool.  The kings of Britpop are 'Young and Lovely' again. 

View HQ Blur Hyde Park Photos here 
View NME's Blur gallery here.

7) Reviews, Reviews and More Reviews 

Lots of reviews of the Blur Hyde Park 2012 Closing Ceremony gig. Recommended reviews to read include: 

• Rolling Stone's review - nice summary of the show
• University of Nottingham's magazine review - nice change reading a university magazine review
• The Arts Desk  - nice short little review 
• Where The Wild Things Are - an audience fan's review

8) Download the audio and Damon's interview before the show 

In our review, we have cool pictures, fun facts, videos and audio download links (also in 'Downloads' section) available for the show all in one neat summary. Plus you get to hear Damon Albarn talk about Korean pop music, Japanese pop music and British pop music. Straight from the pop star's mouth. How interesting. 

Check out our previous review on Blur's Hyde Park Olympics gig. 

9) How much did Blur get paid for the London Olympics Hyde Park gig ? 

So how much exactly did Damon Albarn and the gang earn this time? Millions ? Thousands of pounds? Or was it much more? We read it, we know the answer. But now it is your turn to find out. The topic made the news on several online sources, and is quite an interesting (and rather unexpected) insight. 

Snoop in on how much Blur earned this time here.  

What's next for Blur ? 

10) Put Blur on shuffle 

Lastly, go back and listen to Blur's catalogue of songs, b-sides and other tracks again. They're going to sound better than ever with the recent remastered CDs and the new memories, sounds, experiences and aftertastes of Blur's memorable Hyde Park Olympics gig. 

If it is indeed Blur's last gig ever, as rumoured, then it's well worth going through our list and re-live this wonderful gig the band has brought to us. It has been a blur and there's a lot of new Blur material to swallow, not including the recent Blur: 21 unreleased tracks and remasters! 

Go - and complete these 10 Blur post-Olympic tasks. 

Brought to you by Blurballs - August 17th 2012 

Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

Order the new Blur boxset HERE
Blur first ever 2012 gig-  Maida Vale gig full coverage HERE

Blur Exhibition review and photos HERE

Margate Gig (2012) review and pictures HERE

Rumours: Blur still play live after Hyde Park? HERE

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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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