New Blur Exhibition in London - July to August 2012

Heads up - there's a new Blur event in town. Blur will be holding a band exhibition to celebrate the band's new 'Blur21' box set and their 21 years in music.

Spotify presents Blur 21: The Exhibition will take place in London at the Londonewcastle Gallery, East London.  

It will run from July 27th to August 14th 2012, and entry is free for all. 

Memorabilia and other items of the band will be shown for all to enjoy. Images of the band, taken by famous photographers Pennie Smith (who took the Blur black and white 2009 comeback photos) and Kevin Cummins will also be shown. 

Will the props from Blur's music videos, or some their early apparel will be there?

Will the milk carton from Coffee and TV will make a special appearance?

Here is what is in store for all visiting, according to the venue's official site:

21 years after the release of their debut albumLeisure (1991), Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree will return to the heart of London in an exhibition of rare photographs, artwork and never-before-seen images of this great British band.

Presented by Spotify and EMI Music, the retrospective celebrates Blur’s era defining music, documenting their career as one of the most successful and influential bands of the past two decades, through the lens of legendary and iconic music photographers Pennie Smith, Kevin Cummins, Tom Sheehan and Paul Postle, among others. Previously unseen artwork will also be on display.

Spotify presents Blur 21: The Exhibition documents the band’s story from the early days as Seymour through the 1990s and the height of Britpop, the performance at Alexandra Palace in 1994, seven chart topping studio albums, and eleven top 10 singles, including Country House, Song 2 and Beetlebum, to a historic Sunday night appearance at Glastonbury.

Bringing us right up to 2012 - a year that has seen Blur awarded the BRIT for Outstanding Contribution to Music and the release of two new songs - Under The Westway and The Puritan - ahead of a sold out show at London’s Hyde Park on 12th August, before the upcoming release of career spanning Blur 21: The Box on 30th July.

Curated by leading expert on music photographyDave Brolan, all the key moments of the band’s career are illustrated – on the road, live on stage, in the studio, as well as formal portrait sessions. Additional Blur 21 material will be made available to Spotify users globally over the coming weeks.

Don't miss this opportunity to visit the exhibition if you are in London this summer. Blur also did a Blur X Exhibition in 1999. It's a nice side-event to the Blur Olympics hyde park gigs. 

Visit the venue website for more details here.

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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Graham Coxon talks about Orbit- Blur feud

Graham Coxon has finally spoken about the Blur and William Orbit feud in a recent press interview. The Blur guitarist did a short question and answer for Vulture, and spoke about the new Blur songs, new sounds, opening for Noel Gallagher of Oasis fame and why (or why not) Blur may do a new album in the future.

According to the article, Graham Coxon "personally seemed into the idea" of making a new Blur album. He said that the band were getting on "really well" these days, much better than during their comeback gigs in 2009. With regards to any possible new Blur album, here's what Coxon said: 

Plans for a new Blur album seem up in the air at the moment.
Up in the air, yeah.

What would you say is the biggest obstacle to the band recording a new album?
I don’t know. Maybe it’s time or the guts or pressing the fucking button and going, "Come on, let’s just bloody do it." It’s maybe the committing to it. It’s a frightening thought, because there’s kind of a pressure on us to record another one, and of course we quite like the idea. But what's stopping us is the pressure. People are saying they want [an album], and that’s making us panic. We like to create our stuff in a relaxed way. It’s no good trying to force stuff just because people want to hear it. It would be a big decision. Because we know what’d be coming after the recording: We’d have to do a lot of traveling and playing. Which is great fun, but it’s a big commitment, obviously. 

Who's the holdout? Which band member is the hardest to convince? It sounds like you're into the idea.
I tell you what — we’re all into the idea. There’s nothing wrong with the idea, it’s just the practicalities that get slightly scary. And if we do something, it’s got to be really good.

If you decided against an album, would you consider just releasing singles or EPs?
I think that’s probably not a very good idea, to keep doing that. I’m old-fashioned. I like an album to be a big slice of a time and place, and have a lot of development of ideas. These singles were recorded pretty quickly — too quickly for my liking — and I still get worried. I still come up with ideas for stuff after it's released. Taking our time on an album, that’s what I would like to do. I’d be really into making a record, but [sighs]. If people leave us alone to do it, I think it would be cool.

Coxon also talked about ex-Blur producer William Orbit's (album 13) recent angry tweets about Damon Albarn being a "pig" to the rest of Blur. The mystery of his twitter attacks is finally revealed - Orbit had a go at producing the band's new track 'Under the Westway' but it turned out to be "not what [Blur] were after". So, that was what happened back then.

Blur was in the studio a few months ago with William Orbit for a session that ended acrimoniously, at least according to his tweets. What happened?
We had a go at "Under the Westway." And we just didn’t like the way it turned out. We were just like, "Shit, this is not what we’re after." And we decided to go it alone.

What did it sound like?
I don’t know. [Laughs.] I don’t know what it sounded like, really. I didn’t hear it.

Click here to read the rest of the interesting interview, with more on Under the Westway, The Puritan, Noel Gallagher and also Graham Coxon's New York tour.

Also, check out William Orbit's version of 'Under the Westway' HERE and give it a listen. The producer posted this up on Soundcloud recently for all to hear. Like it or hate it - it's undeniable that both tracks sound and feel very different.

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 will play B-side show at Maida Vale - July 2012

BBC Radio's Steve Lamacq has confirmed that Blur will be playing an exclusive special session at Maida Vale Studios, London on Tuesday 31st July 2012, in which there will be a limited number of tickets to be won.

Blur will be playing a special set from their hits collection and some real fan’s set of b-sides, rarities and oddities, with a few surprises thrown in. They will also be in conversation with Steve who has also been digging through the archives to uncover some lost gems.

The deadline for registration is Friday 20th July. The maximum tickets per household is 2. The gig is free and hosted by Steve. To get a chance to see Blur live in this intimate gig, simply head to the BBC 6 Music website (click here) to register and enter the ticket draw. 


For those who are not in London or live outside Britain, tune in on July 31, 11am EST, and listen online at www.bbc.co.uk/6Music. Good luck to all - this is a rare tread indeed!

Listen to William Orbit's Version of Under the Westway HERE 

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

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William Orbit leaks his version of new Blur single

Fresh update: William Orbit has posted up his version of Blur's new single 'Under the Westway' for all to listen to. This followed several angry tweets about the band a few weeks ago, where the band and the ex-Blur producer's relationship seem to be on the rocks.

Gigwise reports:

Producer Orbit was working with Blur earlier this year but went his separate ways from Damon Albarn and co. after Tweeting about the secret sessions. It is perhaps ironic (or totally unsurprising?) then that Orbit has shown his indiscretion once more and placed an alternative version to the single on Twitter today.

The version is still recognisable as the song which was premiered via a live online stream earlier this month but features far more electronic production and a less epic, windswept feel.

Speaking to BBC's Steve Lamacq on a show yesterday, Alex James said that the band are on good terms and that they are "not having fist fights anymore". Alex also said that the band's future seems to be going well at the moment, although their future has remained undecided. 

"I've got no idea what happens next, or if it ever happens again," he said. Discussing the way in which he, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree work together, James added that "we click back into it like a family at Christmas."

Currently, Orbit's version of the track is unavailable off Soundcloud. However, many have heard the track and the general review from fans seems to be negative. Perhaps it is the fact that Orbit has publicly made his disappointment (for the band to not choose his track) about Blur's choice, or perhaps it is the auto-tuned vocals which made the song less hymn-like and more "13"/ single like.

Different lyrics, more bouncy chorus, the single is completely changed to a semi-electronic feel. It also has much more heavy sounds than the current version. It is definitely not bad, but the track definitely sounds very different to what the band has released. 

Download the track HERE (Sendspace) and give it a listen. *Note: The file may be unavailable 

Leave a comment below or vote in the poll - do you like this better than the official release, which Damon Albarn decided to self-produced?

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

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Blur to release exclusive CD of Under The Westway

Members of the official Blur forum have been petitioning for nearly a week for the band to release their new single via an official CD. After nearly five pages of posts filled with fans' excitement and desire for a potential release, the wish has finally been granted.

Blur and their management has announced that 'Under the Westway' and 'The Puritan' will be released in a CD format for all to buy. The CD will be limited to 5000 copies worldwide and is a Blur store exclusive product.

The new CD Cover promo

Furthermore, the CD will include extra bonus tracks. Yes, you read that right - Blur will be releasing instrumental versions of 'Under the Westway' and 'The Puritan', plus an acoustic version of the leading title track.

It's practically a new Blur EP! 

This new CD will be released on 6th August 2012, in time for the summer Hyde Park live gigs where Blur is leading the London Olympics closing ceremony. Blur released the two new tracks on July 2nd 2012, after performing them live on top of their West London studio, complete with a twitter live video stream. The 7 inch vinyl can also be purchased via the official store.

Click HERE to read the Blur forum thread which led to this rare and exciting development. Blur seems, these days, to be very fan- orientated, which is indeed what people need nowadays.

As it is only available via the Blur store, pre-order your copy of Blur's exclusive new CD (£3.99) by clicking HERE 

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!

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Will the New Blur single top the charts in 2012 ?

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 by downloading 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

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!

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Blur chats to Channel 4 about comeback

A small update on a the 'new' Blur - the band spoke to Channel 4 News on the 2nd July 2012 about their twitter live show, future plans and getting back together for the massive London Olympics Hyde Park gigs taking place in approximately one month's time.

The band also avoided answering questions relating to whether they will continue to make music after the summer shows, and skillfully dodged direct questions, insisting that their future is constantly evolving. Nothing surprising here.

On a side note, Damon Albarn also mentioned he didn't have a twitter account. Wait - so what's this? Watch the 20 minute interview below.



Don't forget to check out an interesting article (click here) written by Channel 4's Matthew Cain, who conducted the interview with Blur.

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!

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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 gives it their all on live rooftop gig - exclusive footage

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.

The studio version of the tracks are also available as downloads from iTunes.

Scroll down below to enjoy Blur's energetic, wonderful and refreshing performance.




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 releases new radical tracks under the Westway

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. 

Download both tracks via iTunes HERE 

Expand the post to leave a comment below - do you like the new Blur songs? Which one is better?

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!