Blur live at Margate Winter Gardens - 'first gig in three years so we are scared'

Blur performed at Margate Winter Gardens on August 1st 2012. The show was met with great reviews from the fans in the audience, and although Graham Coxon's amp had some problems at times, the band managed a really long, really good show.

Blur forum member 'simonn' reported:

Band was very happy. Damon said 'first gig in three years so we're scared'. Lots of smiles, Damon kissed Graham on the back of his neck halfway through one solo, very touching! Damon appeared to play a kazoo solo during (I think) Sunday Sunday, made a change from the jogging...

Dave sported headphones for at least two songs...Grahams amp went out a couple of times, in particular just before the finale to Trimm Trabb, cue lobbing of pint glass at his amp, crowd tried to perk him with 'Graham' chants, and Damon gave him a big hug....which helped. Great gig, great crowd, wish I had more tickets!

- The beach at Margate - posted on Twitter by a fan who went -

Blurcast also posted:

Absolutely awesome gig tonight. A really great set too - definitely a different feel to the 2009 shows and feeling a little less "greatest hits". Caramel is just amazing and I am baffled as to why it was always omitted on the 13 tour. The revamped stop-start Intermission is a belter with the crowd chanting "ole!" in the gaps. London Loves is another great inclusion and will go down a storm in Hyde Park. 

And while I am no big fan of Country House either, when it's being played live and you are jumping about with hundreds of people all singing the words with you, it's a blinder. So to everyone who wasn't there and are complaining that it wasnt a 20 min version of Battle, stop your f**king moaning and start understanding how gigs like this actually work. 

Poor old Graham had some serious problems with his amp tonight though and was visibly reall pissed off when it kept cutting out. I think he got through at least 3 guitars before slamming one of them into the stage and chucking water all over his amp. Not a great thing do with electrical equipment but Damon gave him a big hug to calm him down. It was really looking like it might have to continue as an acoustic set but things got sorted eventually. 

The sound at the venue is not the best and I couldn't really hear the backing singers too well or the brass section for that matter but that didn't spoil my enjoyment at all. 

I am now thouroughly sweaty and disgusting but secretly chuffed that I have ended up with a big 4 person room at the Margate YHA for only £16. Bargain. 

'Caramel', 'Sing', 'Young and Lovely' and the two new Blur songs were also amongst the favourites that were played. The band also played 'London Loves', a track from Parklife, which was a rare sight in live ensembles.

Setlist : a long one, 25 songs totalling 2 hours and 10 minutes. 

Girls & Boys London Loves Tracy Jacks Jubilee Beetlebum Coffee & TV Out of Time Young & Lovely Sunday Sunday Country House Parklife Trimm Trabb Caramel Advert The Puritan Song 2 No Distance Left To Run Tender This is a Low Sing Under The Westway Lot 105 End of a Century For Tomorrow The Universal

Looks like 'Caramel' is here to stay in the upcoming live concerts. And Damon's gig ritual, the water flinging, really soaked up the audience! Watch ALL of the 25 songs in the videos below *uploads by a1999f. 

Girls & Boys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpJjVoZTjEY 
London Loves http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orD03VJ3fNA 
Tracy Jacks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bOE5ggPtD0 
Jubilee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31grLuGYwhk 
Beetlebum http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8CaANN0sqg 
Coffee & TV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O46kdSe1-o 

Out of Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR9CaE8Vdz4 
Young & Lovely http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci8dnyVWFHw 
Sunday Sunday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZUxeqlL4IA 
Country House http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfIdmmiEijA 
Parklife http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmfek3kw_D4 
Trimm Trabb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLDgzS-8osc 

Caramel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eerBjpfa95M 
Popscene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp44fddsRM4 
Advert http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5ed218BINI 
Puritan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJcXpR3vXNs 
Song 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b36KjO7353Y 
No Distance Left To Run http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVa7HkC9gnA 
Tender http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bc0SewQf3s 
This is a Low http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haKGtqjJqTw 

Sing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vPUzJc9phc 
Under The Westway http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_bOfnIbD0E
Intermission http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1FgxB66vjE 
End of a Century http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApSl-GJKLB8 
For Tomorrow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o8_2tahZ4Q 
Universal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twEjgYqn_Ac 

+ 

Photo Essay: Blur at Maida Vale 2012 (Watch and download full gig)

PHOTO ESSAY: Blur played a miraculous set list yesterday during the first full gig they did in 3 years on July 31st 2012.

Stage was lit up as the small crowd waited for Blur - most viewers, however, were streaming from online

Trimm Trabb guitar chords, taken from the set

Gorillaz - Coxon spares ? 

In the two intimate BBC Maida Vale gigs (BBC 6 music: 6pm-7pm, BBC Radio 2: 8pm-9pm) the audience witnessed several moments that will completely rewrite Blur's musical history.

'Young and Lovely', a B-side of single 'Chemical World' (Modern Life is Rubbish, 1993) was also performed for the second and third time in Blur history, the first being the legendary B-sides gig in 1999.

New single 'Under the Westway' got two more plays. The accompanying 'The Puritan' was also performed once live, the second time since the premier on the roof a month ago.

'Caramel' (album '13') was played live for the first time ever. Although the song never made it to the live setlists for Blur's past gigs, the first (and perhaps the last) performance of 'Caramel' was absolutely stunning. 

Damon crooned and the song shone out brilliantly, intense with emotion.

HIGHLIGHT- 'CARAMEL' LIVE: Uploaded by BlurBalls.com - enjoy this stunning debut, never played live before since the beginning of Blur. 

Recorded by Blurballs.com - Caramel live debut in 13 years 

VIDEO GALLERY: Watch the full Blur Maida Vale shows below. The broadcast is owned by BBC and uploaded by fans to Youtube. *Update: Videos no longer available - download the mp4 video below 

First gig - 6pm to 7pm, for BBC 6 Music (Jul 31st 2012)

First gig - 8pm to 9pm, for BBC Radio 2 (Jul 31st 2012)

BLUR MAIDA VALE GIG, JUL 31st 2012, SETLIST: 

1st GIG - BBC 6 MUSIC	2nd GIG - BBC RADIO 2
Jubilee The Puritan Caramel  Trimm Trabb Young and Lovely Under The Westway Intermission	Tracy Jacks Beetlebum Out of Time Young and Lovely End of a Century Mr Briggs Tender This is a Low Under the Westway Popscene For Tomorrow The Universal

DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO (MP3) RECORDINGS: 

• SHOW: BBC 6 Music Concert, Maida Vale Studios (London July 31, 2012) 
• SHOW: BBC Radio 2 Concert, Maida Vale Studios (London July 31, 2012) 
• *Credited to MrMagpie 

DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO (MP4) RECORDING (Yes you can still watch it!) : 

• SHOW: BBC Radio 6 gig , Maida Vale 
• SHOW: BBC Radio 2 Concert, Maida Vale Studios (London July 31, 2012) 
• Right Click, Save As. **Credits to BlurCast.tv 

*FEATURED LIVE BLOG - TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW AND TIMELINE OF BLUR (AT MAIDA VALE STUDIOS): 

Live Blog 1: BBC 6 Music - Blur Interview @ Maida Vale  Studios + short rarities performance, Caramel Live, Young and Lovely, track by track review.	Live Blog 2:  BBC Radio 2 Concert  1 hour long performance by Blur in Maida Vale plus Mr. Briggs, Young and Lovely and more.

• *Both written by our site live from streaming the shows on the day of the gig. Exclusive by Blurballs.com 

Blur - Maida Vale 2nd Gig (BBC2) Live Blog

Second Maida Vale gig - Live blogging from Blurballs.com - check it out.

• 8:05pm - Track 1: Tracy Jacks . Blur added cowbells. Cowbells! Lovely song from Parklife - including my favourite lyrics and chorus. Damon looked agressive for a moment there - scary. Love Steve's "Blur" football shirt - Damon wore it for the Brits 1995. 
• 8:09pm - Track 2: Beetlebum. Alex James swingin' it there, looking as cool as ever. Seems like this gig is full of singles, at least for the first half! Blur's drug-inspired hit single, and probably many's favourite track. Amazing stage lights - orange, yellow, not too bright, not too mellow. We rhyme. Beetlebum goes on, and it is a fantastic track, gets better and better.... 
• 8:14pm - Graham Coxon on his knees... doing the Beetlebum epic middle section. Blur are looking tops and energetic and absolutely radiating pure music. 
• 8:15pm - Track 3: Out of Time - Think Tank Single - Reminds me of long walks in the park, and sad music videos. Damon's solo - good to hear his voice in top form again. Is this Damon or Graham on guitar ? Can't tell, can't tell, but I can only hear the music. And wait a minute - Graham Coxon has NO GLASSES today.
• 8:18pm - Track 4: Young and Lovely - Again ? Who wouldn't mind listening to this classic b-side again ? Damon spoke of parenthood and being old. Friday's child... Awfully real tonight - isn't the lyrics "Far too real tonight" ? Still, we're singing along to this right now. La la la. 
• 8:24pm - Track 5: End of a Century - This song's sounding better and better. Damon - "As we get closer to 50". FIFTY! Not 40, not 30, not 20... now he's reaching 50! Cheeky lyrics - we like. Damon sings them with ease. Rehearsals paying off at last. Fashion update - Damon isn't wearing his red boots today... white shoes ? Air cushioned soles ? Trimm Trabs ? 

• 8:27pm - Damon tells a story - "I was talking to somebody... going on holiday in Windowsill. Starts Track 6: Mr Briggs (B-side). Damon looked young and energetic as usual. Great little track. Recorded it for you all !
• 8:32pm - Track 7: Tender. Beatlesque. As usual - 7 minutes of joy. 
• 8:38pm - Track 8 : This is a Low - The song that deserves to be a single from 'Parklife' but did not make it. Let's see if Damon can hit the high note - This is a LOOOOW. He did it - Damon's singing is superb, and very chilling. Eyes closed, both hands on mic, can this get better ? The crowd seems to be very still tonight... wonder whether it's the weather or the brilliant music getting through their hearts. Dave banging on the drums all right!
• 8:43pm - Track 9: Under the Westway - Wow, the introduction is stunning. I can see why Orbit's version sounded a bit too much like something out of '13' and not enough of a 'hymn' to Damon Albarn. And guess what - they added Orbit's synth to the track! Perhaps they should have performed Orbit's version too - that would be funny. Every time I listen to this, I remember - Blur are BACK and better than ever. Graham's backing vocals are chilling, stunning and awesome. 
• 8:47pm - Track 10: Popscene - Damon blasts a siren! Loudspeaker siren object alert! Just like in 1991, the Leisure era! We thought he'd sing into the microphone, just like 21 years ago, but sadly he chucked it away before grabbing the mic. Wait - will Damon sing into the loudspeaker ? 

• 8:50pm - Track 11: For Tomorrow - A dear Blur fan of mine thinks Damon will sing "under the Westway" now - yes or no ? No - still "lost on the Westway". Damon should have sang "Now we're under the westway" ! The bass sounds superb on our speakers. We'd recommend listening to this full with high quality bass amps. Always loved the trumpets and wind instruments on 'Modern Life is Rubbish'. Modern music sometimes seem rubbish compared to Blur. 
• 8:58pm - Track 12: The Universal - Last track of the evening and the track on British Gas adverts for the past 3 years. Damon messed the lyrics! Yes, Damon, "the words are wrong" and you stumbled a bit (or was it Graham) but in the end, Blur "really really could happen". Damon just put his head on the mic - in frustration ? It really really could happen. Indeed. Will Song 2 be played next as a bonus ? Woo hoo song? 

Damon ends by saying "I know I made a mistake". Steve asks the audience whether they missed Blur and were met with a huge "YES". Yes, we missed Blur, but we got an evening of wonderful nostalgia, and b-sides!

And that's it. For the 1st Maida Vale Studios gig (6pm-7pm, Jul 31st) click here to read our live blog plus watch exclusie footage, including Caramel (Live). Download the audio (mp3) of both shows here. The full set list of the Blur Maida Vale 8:00pm-9:00pm show 2012 - July 31st at BBC 2 is the following:

1. Tracy Jacks
2. Beetlebum
3. Out of Time
4. Young and Lovely
5. End of a Century
6. Mr Briggs
7. Tender
8. This is a Low
9. Under the Westway
10. Popscene
11. For Tomorrow
12. The Universal 

Check out the video we recorded of Blur's 'Mr. Briggs' below. 

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 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. 

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 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?