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.
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BLUR ALERT: A music video for 'Under the Westway' has been released on the 6th July. It features the band in the studio, recording their newest, ballad-esque single, complete with Damon's soothing vocals and piano chords.
But the question we are all asking is - can Blur reach and break into the charts for Top 20 singles? The momentum of this track gave it very positive reviews by listeners so far. The single's chart position on the first day of release was also great, topping at Number 1 in the iTunes Top Rock songs.
Recently it hit Number 6 on the iTunes Italy rock chart, and Number 8 on the Norwegian rock chart. As for Blur's biggest challenge, they seem to have done well initially: 'Under the Westway' peaked in at Number 4 last Tuesday on the top rock singles charts, but have now dropped down to 40.
'The Puritan' also went to Number 3 on it's first day of release, but soon dropped out of the charts. As of right now, the two tracks doesn't seem to be moving up. Perhaps it really really really could happen. Help push Blur to the top of the charts bydownloading the tracks from iTunes. You can also order them on Amazon.com
Watch the official music video for 'Under the Westway' below.
Order the new Blur vinyl HERE The Puritan- new track HERE
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So, it looks like Blur are back, ready for the Olympics gig and better than ever! The rainy weather and rush-hour timing of the rooftop gig on July 2nd 2012, combined with the fact that the location was not known until a few hours before the show, meant that only few fans were able to travel to the destination to witness Blur's show.
But do not fear- for the fans who have missed the live performances by Blur (July 2nd 2012), footage have been released by Blur's official Youtube channel (click here to subscribe) recorded exclusively on the venue.
The two must-watch videos of the month - footage of Blur premiering their newest single 'Under the Westway / The Puritan' live on the roof of their West London studio.
The track will be released as a limited edition 7-inch vinyl, which you can order HERE.
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And finally, the wait is over! Blur premiered their new tracks 'Under the Westway' and 'The Puritan' live on top of their West London Studio on Latimer Road, London on July 2nd 2012. This location was of course chosen, as it is literally, under the Westway.
A live twitter video was broadcasted on the official Blur website for all fans to watch. Some of the band also had short interviews with BBC Radio shortly before the host played the studio version of the new songs to the world.
The two songs are the only material Blur released since their 2009 single 'Fool's Day', and both new songs were met with very positive reviews.
The band performed 'Under the Westway' live first, with cheering fans watching eagerly below on the ground. The track is grand, elegant and sounds extremely like something from the early Blur days. It boasts an animated music video featuring moving lyrics, and also a very Beatles-esque touch.
There was an hour's break in between the first and second song. Blur took this opportunity to stage a twitter question & answer session, where fans could tweet questions to the band's members. Questions included one by us at BlurBalls - "Damon - what colour are your shoes today?", in which the reply from Alex James was "Red". Very informative indeed.
'The Puritan',a cheery track with a poppy sound and fast drums, was next. The weather was rainy and cloudy in London, but that did not stop the catchy song from radiating through to the crowd. The lyrics for this track is on par with Blur's earlier singles, and the song definitely has the "new sound" that Damon mentioned earlier in Blur interviews.
Could this possibly be a new direction for Blur? Could 'The Puritan''s sound become something prevalent in the next Blur project? Will there even be new Blur material in the future? These are questions that the band did not answer.
It seems though, according to Alex James and Damon Albarn (who did interviews on BBC Radio 6 and BBC Radio 1 respectively on July 2nd 2012), options are being kept open. Everyone's keeping an open mind about the great band's future.
Stay tuned for reviews of the tracks exclusively by BlurBalls.
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 are going to headline several NEW concerts this year, as a prelude to their big Olympics gig 2012. The first gig announced via their newly launched, brand-new, black, white and suave band website (www.blur.co.uk) is the Way Out Festival 2012 in Gothenburg, Sweden on August 9th 2012.
They are also playing in Denmark 2012, Smuckfest in Skanderborg (http://smukfest.dk/).
They are then following on with Hyde Park, London Olympics 2012 Closing Ceremony gig, with The Specials and New Order also playing on August 12th 2012.
Blur made a triumphant return in the Brit Awards 2012 (albeit a little clash with singer Adele!) performing the longest record set (11 minutes plus a bit more) and made their names forever imprinted on British music's memories, joining in the likes of The Kinks, David Bowie and more. Check out some pictures of the set below:
The Live at the Brits EP only had 3 songs - Girls and Boys, Song 2 and Parklife, but with a little bit of mixing, it sounds much better!
And listen to Damon's touching speech, against the wonderful backdrop of their hit single "Parklife". Many fans and even Alex James (bassist) himself said that this may be Blur's "last bow" on stage, so Damon truly does deserve time to get to thank everyone who has helped shaped this influential British band.
For those who want to buy tickets to see Blur live at the Olympics closing ceremony 2012, here are some crucial details and links to get your tickets:
12 August, 5.30pm-midnight Tickets £55+booking fee on sale to BT customers 9am, Wednesday 22 February (SOLD OUT) or on general sale 9am Friday 24 February(HERE)
Stay tuned to BlurBalls for more Blur concert gigs - we are expecting many intimate warm-up gigs around Britain or even outside as Blur inevitably will practice for their big Olympics event, representing UK music !
Meanwhile, read all about Blur beyond the Brits at The Quietus, the article is a must-read for all Blur fans out there who enjoy their non-single hits, rarities and b-sides.
Read all about Blur kicking Adele OUT of the Brits HERE,
