Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher rekindle at the Brits 2013

No more feud, no more Britpop war. It seems that Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher have both mellowed with age and put their past behind them. The two men, rivals in the 90s following the Britpop Battle, gave each other friendly smiles and posed for a manly shoulder-squeeze for the camera when the Brit Awards 2013 ceremony took place on February 21st 2013 in London's O2 Arena.

Damon Albarn went on stage to accept a special award. The pair probably has fond memories about this 90s incident...

Blur Tour 2013 - Full dates and rundown  HERE

Blur confirmed for Mexico HERE

Blur Europe Tour News  HERE

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

Damon Albarn accepts Brit Award for War Child (Video)

It wasn't for Blur or Gorillaz, but Damon Albarn appeared on stage at the Brit Awards 2013 to accept a distinguished award. Ben Knowles from British charity War Child and Damon Albarn collected a Special Recognition Award on behalf of War Child during the Brit Awards 2013 held yesterday at the O2 Arena, London.

Damon Albarn sported a toothy smile on stage- Brits 2013

Dressed in his signature leather jacket, the "legend of British music" Blur frontman made a short acceptance speech on stage. He praised the charity for having a "close relationship with the music business" and pleaded the audience to "get involved" with the charity's cause to alleviate and combat childhood suffering. The award marked War Child's 20th anniversary.

Damon was also nominated for Best Producer (Bobby Womack- 'Bravest Man In The Universe') in this year's award ceremony. Although a top favourite, he lost out to producer Paul Epworth whose productions included Adele, Florence and the Machine and Cee Lo Green.

For more pictures of the winners of this year's Brits, including pictures of celebrities like Jonathan Ross and diver Tom Daley presenting an award, this gallery is worth a visit.


Blur Tour 2013 - Full dates and rundown  HERE

Blur confirmed for Mexico HERE

Blur Europe Tour News  HERE

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

Win limited edition Blur Parklife CDs !

Fans - you have less than 10 days to enter the new Blur official competition to be one of the five people who will win a  copy of the 'Parklife' 2 CD Special Edition. The Special Edition feature a bonus disc of extras and rarities, an expanded booklet and exclusive postcards.

The special CD was released in July 2012 to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Blur's debut release 'Leisure'. Blur’s most commercially successful album 'Parklife' was remastered and tuned by producer Stephen Street.

The 2 CDs contain a bonus disc of all the b-sides from Girls And Boys, To The End, Parklife and End Of A Century singles. Within them is also many rare Blur tracks - a Pet Shop Boys remix of Girls And Boys, the French version of single 'To The End', Graham’s funny country b-side 'Red Necks' and a rare appearance of a track written by Alex on 'Alex’s Song'.

Also included are previously unreleased acoustic versions of Jubilee and Parklife recorded for a BBC Radio 1 session in 1994 and the previously unreleased Cadena 40 Principales Acoustic Version of End Of A Century, which featured on a Spanish-only promo for the single.

As mentioned on the product description, the Parklife Special Edition is housed in a deluxe lift-off lid box with four exclusive Blur artwork postcards and an expanded booklet that includes previously unseen photos and liner notes based on a brand new interview with all the band members.

To join the contest - simply fill in the form here (Answer: Phil Daniels). 

Alternatively, visit the official Blur merchandise shop to purchase a copy of the Parklife 2CD Special Edition (£9.99). 

Good luck!


Blur Tour 2013 - Full dates and rundown  HERE

Blur confirmed for Mexico HERE

Blur Europe Tour News  HERE

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

Poll: Blur 2013 Comeback

With the new 2013 World Tour almost taking full shape, Blur have once again generated rumours amongst fans. Everyone is asking the same question: Will Blur release new material in 2013 as part of their tour to surprise the audience? Or will Blur drop a brand new album after their worldwide tour after they fine-tune the sound ? 

Or perhaps Blur will follow the footsteps of bands that have reformed but will not release new material ? Speculations about whether the band are in it "for the money" have also been hot amongst music forums. However if that is the case, then why bother with playing numerous festivals all across the world ?

Some also say that Damon Albarn will go back to his Gorillaz project with cartoonist Jamie Hewlett and focus on releasing a fourth pop album. Others talk about the diverging paths of the four Blur members and how a new album will be incompatible and impossible. 

What do YOU think? Is 2013 the biggest year for Blur and fans alike? 

Vote in the poll below and let us know. Catch up on the Blur World Tour page for all the concert dates in one convenient table.  

Blur adds Mexican warm-up date - Vive Latino Festival 2013

Another new Blur 2013 date has been confirmed - this time Blur has announced their first warm-up gig in Mexico City just before their big gig in the Vive Latino Festival, which takes place from the 14th - 17th March 2013. The announcement came shortly after Blur announced a new tour date in Indonesia.

The warm-up date will begin at 8:00pm in El Plaza Condesa, Mexico City on March 15th 2013. The band will take the stage on the 16th March for the main concert.

Blur is set to be one of Vive Latino Festival's biggest main bands. Other featured artists in the festival include Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Morrissey and Underworld. The band last played in Mexico during their 2003 tours to promote album 'Think Tank'. They also visited Mexico and played for fans in the Metropolitan Theatre in 1999.

According to the information that has been released, tickets for this show will cost 780 Pesos and can be purchased from the pre-sale on February 18th through the Ticketmaster system.

Visit the official El Plaza Condesa website for more information about the concert and ticketing prices.

Check out our Blur World Tour page for all the dates in a convenient table. 

Blur Tour 2013 - Full dates and rundown  HERE

Blur confirmed for Mexico HERE

Blur Europe Tour News  HERE

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

Blur confirms Indonesia to be added to 2013 Tour

Announced on Blur's official Facebook page in the early hours of 16th February is good news for Blur fans in Indonesia - Blur is confirmed to play the BigSoundFest in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 15th 2013. This is the latest country and tour date to be added to their massive world tour in 2013, and a positive sign that something big is happening for the band this year.

BigSoundFest will be taking place in sporting area Senayan Field in Jakarta. The festival is managed by company Dyandra Entertainment, who promises more news on the Blur gig will be released soon. 

Many more artists, including Canadian duo Teagan & Sara, will be playing the Indonesian music festival this May.

Tickets will be available for sale on Thursday 21 Feb 12:00pm. For more updates by the festival's promoters, follow @DyandraEnt and @SoundRhythm on Twitter. 

Stay tuned for more details about ticketing and the festival, which is set to be announced within the next few days.

Check out our Blur World Tour page for all the dates in a convenient table. 

Blur Tour 2013 - Full dates and rundown  HERE

Blur confirmed for Mexico HERE

Blur Europe Tour News  HERE

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

Things to do While Waiting for Blur’s Concerts in 2013

Most of the upcoming Blur concerts of 2013 have already been announced through their official site as well as social media accounts. Blur members Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree are set to kick off their wave of concerts in Mexico on 16th of March during the Vive Latino Festival. It is just nearly a month away from today, which heightens fans' anticipation and excitement more. However, the more we count the days until we see Blur live, the longer they feel. That being said, here are some activities you can do while waiting for the gigs to start.

1. Prepare a personal concert kit 

Going to a music festival like Coachella or a regular concert is no joke. As exciting as the event may be, it can be pretty exhausting at times due to unforeseen circumstances or camping troubles. To cope up with these problems, do prepare a concert kit for yourself. This may include water, Blur books, medicine, extra shirts, pens (to get the band's autograph) and money. Make sure to plan ahead and check the venue online for parking information beforehand. Don't bring expensive things as these are easily stolen or lost, especially in the jam-packed gig venue!

Coachella Venue

2. Find your concert buddy 

For those who have attended concerts (whether it is Blur or other bands) in the past, the experience is definitely more fun and exciting when accompanied by a concert buddy or people you know. When looking for one, go for someone who is not ashamed of embracing the whole concert experience. For times where you cannot find existing friends that are willing to go, a good suggestion is to take advantage of the availability of the internet and connect with fellow Britpop fans.

Festivals aren't all about music, they're about creating bonds and togetherness too. They are a great way to find new friends and expand your horizons a little, so chat to the person next to you who is singing along or simply having a great time. Who knows, you might find your concert buddy in Twitter, Last FM or in social gaming sites like FoxyBingo. You can also try visiting sites like the Blur forums or even the band's Facebook page to connect with other music-lovers.

3. Re-learn Blur songs 

During a concert, it is inevitable for audience members to dance and sing their hearts out. A friend once told me before that people around him looked at him strangely after he sang the wrong lines while Blur were performing "Under the Westway" last year. So, spare yourself with this kind of experience by re-learning or memorizing their songs earlier before their 2013 gigs. While you’re at it, make sure to re-watch their music videos and sing along with the chorus.

4. Invest in a camera 

If you do not own a camera, now is a pretty good time to invest in one for the festivals. Cameras don't have to be expensive to be able to shoot decent pictures or videos, and festivals are a perfect time for having fun, enjoying the scenery and capturing the moment. Blur gigs always contain memorable moments, and videos can make great memorabilia for a great gig. After all, this may be Blur's very last tour in a long time if they decide to call it a day after the year ends.

Lucky fans meeting Damon Albarn after a gig

Other top tips: 

• Pick the right festival - some are kids-friendly, some have massive crowds that block all movement. Some have special parking spaces or cater for the elderly / disabled particularly well. Make sure you do some research before buying tickets. 
• Keep young children away from any hazards during the festival - electric cables and amps can cause harm. 
• Don't lose sight of adults and kids alike - it's easy to get lost in the big crowds.
• Bring enough food and water - summer festivals are guaranteed get you sweaty!  
• Relax - it's a music festival to be enjoyed, and not stressed over! Listen to the music, and bring earplugs if you are worried about the loud noise. 

Graham Coxon covers Beatles song

Graham Coxon was recently involved in a musical project where artists re-record the classic Beatles album 'Please Please Me'. The Blur guitarist recorded the song 'Baby It's You' live as part of a 10-hour recording session hosted by BBC Radio 2 to mark the 50th anniversary of a challenge set by recording company EMI to The Beatles on February 11th - to record a whole studio album in one session. 

The project, which recreates the challenge and asks current musicians to cover the whole Beatles album in one session, took part in the reknowned Abbey Road studios last week. Other participants included Joss Stone, Ian Broudie and Richard Jones of Stereophonics. 

Blur mimicks one of The Beatle's album covers

Graham Coxon performed his version of 'Baby It's You' in the same style as The Shirelles. On the track, Graham remarked: "I'm quite pleased to be doing that because it's not one that people immediately think about a Beatles song, so it's a sort of a soul song, which has its own challenges.

"Although I'm not a soul singer, maybe I should have gargled some rice crispies to get a rough voice going, cause I'm not very gravelly."

'Please Please Me' was released in March 1963 where it headed to Number One in the UK charts and stayed for 30 weeks strong. The Telegraph reports that BBC Four, Radio 2 and 6 Music are celebrating the album over a two-week period called The Golden Age of the Album.

The BBC Radio 2 recording will be broadcasted along with a 'making-of' video on BBC 4 titled 'Please Please Me - Re-Making A Classic' which will be shown on Friday February 15th 2013.

Listen: Graham Coxon - Baby It’s You 

Download the mp3 of 'Baby It's You' here 

Blur confirmed for Taiwan Gig - World Tour 2013

Blur has been set to tour for another Asian date - Taipei, Taiwan, for their 2013 World Tour. This follows on from a string of Asian venues announced, including Japan and also the latest addition - Hong Kong - to the line of new gigs being revealed by the band.

The gig will be held on May 9th 2013 at 8pm, just three days after their concert in Hong Kong on May 6th. 

The announcement of the second 2013 non-festival Blur concert not yet been officially announced by any promotional companies. The information is based on the image below, which was posted on the 大眾唱片 G-Music Taiwan Facebook page recently. The message was removed by the page shortly after it was posted, but screenshots still remained in gig forums all across the city. 

An insider source reveals: the Asian recording company lost the bid for Blur in the last minute, and therefore hastily removed the Blur gig announcement and ticketing information. Apparently, specific news are to be announced this Saturday (9th February) as to who will finally get the bidding rights to host the Taiwan Blur concert. 

Regardless of which recording company is hosting the gig, it seems that Blur are definitely set to play Taipei, Taiwan, for their 2013 World Tour. They are already listed on GigWise Taiwan as a main act in this year's list of concerts.  

Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned for official confirmation, ticketing information (to be announced but you can click HERE to see the page) and the full set of details later. 

Check out our Blur World Tour page for all the dates in a convenient table. 

Blur Tour 2013 - Full dates and rundown  HERE

Blur confirmed for Mexico HERE

Blur Europe Tour News  HERE

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