LATEST ANNOUNCEMENT: Blur
has announced that they will play four warm-up dates in early August
2012. The official news was posted on Wolverhampton Civic Halls' official website(click here)one
day earlier than the official
announcement, which was scheduled to be on Sunday 2012.
The dates and venues
are:
Wednesday 1st August at Margate
Winter Gardens
Sunday 5th and Monday 6th
August at Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Tuesday 7th August in Plymouth
Pavilions
Tickets are extremely
limited and Blur have arranged a special
pre-sale for fans, at 9am on Wednesday
16th May (ahead of the general on-sale of Friday 18th).
Want to maximise your
chance for tickets? For all fans, sign
up now at Blur.co.uk and you will be sent a link at 9am on Tuesday 15th May,
which will go live 24 hours later when you can use it to enter Wednesday's
pre-sale.
The tickets are priced
at £35 each, plus a £3.50
booking fee. ID will be required on entry to the venue. It seems that there
will be no gigs in London or Central, but so far, so good.
Additionally Wolverhampton Civic Hall can hold approximately 5000 people -
providing you're not too late, it seems that securing a ticket will not be a
problem.
Good luck
to everyone who wants to buy tickets- remember, sign up from the link above and
wait for the presale on the 16th May!
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Some say it's like something out of Damon Albarn's solo album The Good, The Bad and The Queen; some say it's a melancholic ballad; some live it, some hate it, some fans even claim it's the ultimate clue to what any new Blur material (in the future) may sound like.
Ladies and gentlemen, Damon Albarn previewed the new Blur song 'Under the Westway' on the BBC Front Row show on the 7th May 2012. This is the second time the song has been played - the first was during the War Child live gig earlier this year, where BlurBalls exclusively filmed the touching, two-man performance.
Damon was interviewed at his studio and he previewed the new Blur track. This song is rumoured to be included in the band's Blur21 massive box set as the mysterious track. The box set will include remasters of all their catalogue and many exclusive, unreleased tracks.
Listen to it on BBC iplayer HERE, or watch the youtube footage with Damon on piano below:
The track seems very promising, and of course, melancholic...just in time for Blur's massive Hyde Park gig this summer. But can it compare with the band's earlier track 'Fools Day' ? Is this too Beatles-esque? Or is it a new direction for a future Blur?
Guess fans will have to wait and see. The box set will be released on July 2012.
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A positive update on Blur's future - Damon Albarn tells Irish Independent that he's "sketchy" on the band's future, but won't totally rule out any records after the gigs this summer. This interview followed on from another positive interview (click here) earlier from ShortList, where Damon Albarn quashed his earlier comments about the 'end of Blur and Gorillaz'. Check out the scans below and click to read them in full.
Credits to eyebrowy for the scans
Damon's obviously in high spirits when he was interviewed. Perhaps the frontman feels pressure from the media, especially after some of the negativity surrounding their Brit Award comeback performance. Or perhaps he simply likes defying the audience's expectations on anything.
Yet, Damon did say more surprising things recently. He made a comment during one of his Amsterdam gigs, when asked about the future of Blur, that he had been recording with Graham Coxon in the studio recently.
Damon Albarn was also featured on the Jools Holland show performing his new opera Dr Dee. Watch his performance of 'Apple Carts' and interview below:
But one thing's for sure - Blur's still going to be around in the future, contrary to all the rumours last month!
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
Read all about Blur talking about their future HERE
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!
Damon Albarn has spoken out finally about The Guardian interview a while ago, when he deemed the 'end of Blur' and possibly Gorillaz, his successful virtual band. The good news? He dismissed the rumours surrounding the comments he made in the article, which definitely helped clear up many of the things he said previously.
In the latest issue of ShortList, Damon seemed quite unhappy about how some of the comments he made got distorted - and even got to correct some of it.
When asked whether Blur will make a new record in the future, he stated that there are no concerete plans as of right now, but that the band will see how it is after their massive Olympics Hyde Park 2012 gigs- "It would be interesting to see where it would arrive, because it would be very different, I'd imagine."
He also said that "there could be another Gorillaz album", as he was willing to make the music as long as Jamie Hewlett wanted to collaborate and do the illustration.
It seems that the article implied Damon is not saying Blur's over, The Guardian article exaggerated his comments and that the four boys are on good terms. It also seems that the Hyde Park gig this summer will be the make-or-break gig which may just determine the band's future prospect.
Albarn also said he was willing to collaborate with Noel Gallagher "if he [came] on the African Express train this September". The African Express Train will be Damon Albarn's new musical tour, set inside a train, travelling around Britain (click here to read more).
Scroll down for the scans for Damon's ShortList interview below (credits to JackS for the scans).
It's brilliant news that Damon Albarn, the frontman, finally clears up the rumours and mixed messages so prevalent in recent media about Blur. Now, it all boils down to Hyde Park and whether the gig for the London Closing Ceremony will be a success, or a disaster.
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
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In the 90s, the media reported Graham Coxon's narrow escape from death - Graham was photographed getting hit by a car during an evening out. Here at BlurBalls, we dug up from his archive interviews what Graham said on his first near death experience:
Jamie: Have you ever been in a car crash?
Graham: I was run over when we signed our first record deal - it was almost the shortest career in the world. I was around Notting Hill Gate and I found myself bashed up into the sky and landing on the road.
Alan: Were you driving?
Graham: No, I was just drunk - walking in the road and this copper said 'Hey sonny, wake up' and I said 'Am I dead?' and he said 'No, but you've had a nasty knock, son. We're taking you to hospital.'
Jamie: Were you alright?
Graham: I had huge concussion - this Irish nurse was wheeling me around the hospital for hours doing tests. I just kept asking her to marry me all the time. There's nothing so good when you're drunk and concussed as an Irish voice. Not one of the harsh ones, but the soft ones.
Now, in 2012, he has done it again. A huge fire destroyed the seafront Best Western Hotel in Falmouth, Cornwall yesterday, and Graham Coxon narrowly got away, yet again. Staff and guests, including the Blur guitarist, was evacuated and no one was hurt.
On Coxon's official twitter page, he, who is performing at Princess Pavilion in the town, wrote: "We have rooms at the beach hotel and had to leave."
He later tweeted: "We watched it... We had to leave the foyer and then watch it get worse and worse... rather sad."
Watch the video clip, and listen to an appropriate Graham Coxon song below. Graham Coxon's luckily unscathed!
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
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BLUR NEWS:It's official -Blur
is not over!Furthermore,
Gorillaz will record another record in the future, even though the date is not
announced yet; Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn has repaired their relationship and amended differences and all seems bright and well.
The
Metrofeatured a plain,
no-nonsense interview with Damon Albarn, frontman of Blur and Gorillaz (amongst
other projects) and it seems very positive. The interview is printed with
little authorial intervention, and is in a question/answer format.
Albarn spoke out about Blur and Gorillaz's future, stating (quote
fromMetro)
:
Are Blur and Gorillaz both
finished?
No. That comes from an article which was
an interesting take on a very long conversation. I don’t know how we’ll feel
when we play Hyde Park. Some days I feel one way and other days I feel the
other. If you don’t see something as a career but as an important part of your
life, you don’t know how you’re going to feel about it. We want to put on a
great performance but nothing’s been said between us about the beginning or the
end.
What about Gorillaz?
When Jamie [Hewlett] and I have
worked out our differences, I’m sure we’ll make another record.
Will that be difficult?
I don’t think so. We’ve been through too
much together for it to be that big of a mountain to climb. We’ve just fallen
out like mates do sometimes. I’m not the only person to fall out with mates and
then make up again – everyone does it.
Are you looking forward to the
Hyde Park gig in August?
Very much so. I love playing with Blur –
it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. At the same time, though, I don’t
want to cock it all up by staying around too long and making a fool of myself.
At 44, there’s a little trepidation about jumping around on stage but I love
it.
Were you happy with your
performance at the Brits?
Yes. I went there to thank our manager,
Chris Morrison, and to have a laugh. I enjoyed myself. We take ourselves a lot
less seriously now in the context of things like awards.
What’s the worst gig you’ve done?
There have been a few but when things
did go wrong we immediately rectified them for the next night. One stage inSpainwasblownawayinastormbutweweren’tonit,thankfully.
What are you proudest of
achieving?
Pride isn’t something I indulge in. I think everything could have been better. I could
definitely improve on my interview technique.
Have you visited Alex James’s
cheese farm?
Yes I have. I’ve tasted his cheese. It’s
very good. What can I say? I’m not a
cheese expert but it tasted like cheese
to me.
What are people’s
misconceptions of you?
That everything that comes out of my
mouth is serious.
What’s been your most extravagant
purchase?
I’ve bought a lot of bicycles over the
years but mainly because they keep getting nicked. I don’t go too high-end,
just keep it basic. I usually buy them from a shop on Golborne Road [west
London] and they’ve seen a few of my bikes cycling down the road with someone
else on them. Every time they see it happen, they say: ‘Damon will be in again
to buy another one.’
His new interview with the Metro is quite a positive for Blur and
Gorillaz fans. It offers a bit more hope amidst the recent rumours that
Blur are splitting up again. These rumours were fuelled by myriad of comments
from Damon, Graham, Dave and Alex about the uncertain future of Blur and the
group’s “last’ gigs.
The Band, all together, with a fan
Plus, Gorillaz is not over...yet. Is Damon saying that there will
be a new Gorillaz album? Then he and Jamie Hewlett’s arguments are over? Or
will Damon continue to change his mind, in each separate interview he does? It
seems all positive here, yet again.
The thing is, Damon seems insecure in recent
interviews. He has to stop thinking Blur's all about jumping around and making
a racket on stage - it's about the music. Sure, stage antics are fun to watch,
and jumping around does show energy. But Damon, it's ok if you just sing, and
play "music for the ears".
Maybe it all depends on Damon’s mood – feeling low?
No more Blur. Feeling alright? Blur and Gorillaz are back. Or perhaps the “Blur’s
future” response “hat” that Graham talked about recently exists. Pick and
choose your answer.
Feeling moody, Damon ?
However, this interview definitely sparked new hope
in fans, who thought that the band’s over for good after Hyde Park 2012. It’s a
much more hopeful piece of evidence that Blur’s still going strong.
It just goes to show that, with Damon,
anything really, really could happen.
Download and listen to the full Damon Albarn / Stuart Maconie
interview byCLICKING HERE(credits to Gorillaz Unofficial).
Damon talks about Blur and Dr Dee.
Click HERE to read the full Metro interview, where Damon speaks more on Dr. Dee
Leave a comment below and vote in our poll - what do you think of Blur's return - is it truly "to the end", or will they remain musically "young and lovely" ?
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
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The London Olympics start in less than 100 days, and one of the key players in the event, Damon Albarn, has revealed that there will be a third London 2012 Olympic related project.
Damon Albarn has stated in a BBC 4 interview that his new project after the summer Hyde Park gigs will be called the "African Express Train". The ensemble of African musicians, along with Albarn and others, will "travel across the UK" and play music in places including Doncaster and Bradford. They will be playing "concerts in the evening" and be visiting schools.
African Express is Albarn's side projects, and its noted for it's diverse mix of Western and African talents. It's the epitome of Albarn's collaborative spirits, and love of African music which grew after the last Blur album Think Tank, in 2003.
So, it seems that Damon is getting on with Dr Dee and it's album release, playing with Blur this summer and then start touring with African Express - it seems 2012 will be, as usual, a varied year for Damon's many projects.
If the African Express Train tour is in place, it is likely that Blur, Albarn's first commercially successful band, may not be making any new material for a long time.
Where's the Blur train heading too? Has it already reached it's final destination, the Olympics 2012 ?
Listen to his interview HERE (from 9:00 - 13:00 mins)
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
Read all about Blur being BASHED AT THE BRITS (Adele!) HERE
Read all about Blur talking about their bleak future HERE
New "tear jerker" song HEREand check out their newest track Under the Westway HEREand read our REVIEW HERE.
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Damon Albarn performed and showcased his new opera Dr Dee at Onefest on April 14th 2012. The full length album of the opera, inspired by mathematician John Dee, will be available in stores on the 7th May 2012. For fans who didn't go, one can view some well-shot pictures of the festival HERE.
Credits to Derren Nugent, Safeconcerts
The album's sounds are different to any other Albarn projects in the past. Critics have described it as a folk-ish album with mixtures of The Good, The Bad and The Queen (Damon's previous take on more traditional English music) and the piano-ballad styles of Blur's new track Under The Westway.
Damon also gave an exclusive track by track commentary of his new release. He talks about each song and it follows with a little snippet of the individual track. You can listen to it on DIY's website (click here).
And finally, Damon Albarn will appear on the Stuart Maconie show TONIGHT (April 22nd 2012) at 8:00pm UK time, to speak about his eclectic musical contributions, Blur, and present an exclusive live on-air performance of his Dr Dee opera.
As quoted from the BBC4
page: First premiered at last year's Manchester International Festival, Dr Dee
tells the story of John Dee; mathematician, astronomer, occultist and advisor
to Elizabeth I. Recorded last year in Salford with the BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra, the opera sets Dee's story to a sonic backdrop of early English
period instrumentation, African beats, and Renaissance flourishes, described by
Albarn as "strange, pastoral folk".
Tonight, Stuart will
talk in depth to Damon about the opera, his recent production work with Bobby
Womack, his collaboration with Tony Allen and Flea from The Red Hot Chilli
Peppers - Rocket Juice & The Moon - and most importantly, the
future of Blur.
You can listen to the show at 8:00pm UK
Time by clicking HERE.
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
Read all about Blur being BASHED AT THE BRITS (Adele!) HERE
Read all about Blur talking about their bleak future HERE
New "tear jerker" song HEREand check out their newest track Under the Westway HEREand read our REVIEW HERE.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
If you missed old news, visit the NEWS ARCHIVE to read about past news!
