Another day, another year! The Blur frontman turns 51 today on March 23 2019. To celebrate, we've compiled a series of photos featuring Albarn throughout the years. Enjoy!
March 23, 2019
Happy Birthday to Damon Albarn!
March 20, 2019
Watch the Best Live Damon Albarn Performance of 2018
It's that time of the year again where we re-live all that Damon Albarn has done. Whether it be Gorillaz or Blur, he has sure achieved a lot. Now, we recently stumbled across some live footage of Gorillaz's acoustic performance at KROQ, and we were extremely impressed with Damon Albarn's upbeat mood and amazing singing. He was, to put it simply, outstanding in his vocals, pitch, tone and energy.
Take a look below and let us know what you think!
March 7, 2019
Blur- the 20-year challenge
Here's the 20-year challenge for Blur- the band that will forever live on in fans' hearts as the 90s, youthful Britpop wonder that changed British music for a whole generation. Note- we couldn't do the 10-year challenge as Blur was not active in 2019 and we could not find any group photos!
Did they change at all?
February 20, 2019
3 times Gorillaz foreshadowed Brexit, and all it's consequences
Let's face it- Gorillaz is a political band. They've always sung about society- from guns, drugs to presidential elections. Damon Albarn's a man who loves social commentary, and he feels strongly for the recent turn of events in the world, including the US elections and of course, the infamous Brexit incident that everyone in the UK is anxious to talk about.
Here's a roundup of the 3 best Gorillaz songs that talk about all things Brexit, even if it isn't immediately obvious.
1) Humility
Given the references to loneliness and isolation in the lyrics ("Calling the world from isolation 'Cause right now, that's the ball where we be chained And if you're coming back to find me You'd better have good aim Shoot it true I need you in the picture") it's not surprising that many fans have inferred that Gorillaz has spoken to us about Brexit. The UK leaving the EU invokes fears of isolation, nationalism and extremist attitudes, not to mention that the UK will well and truly be lonely- in every sense of the word.
2) Clint Eastwood
Gorillaz's biggest hit may uncover more than you think- the lyrics are apt, chilling and telling ("My future is coming on It's coming on It's coming on It's coming on It's coming on") and invokes feelings of uncertainty, confusion and...chaos amidst the tripping, happy tune. It may not be obvious, but this Gorillaz tune may be darker than you think.
3) Hallelujah Money
This is the most politically-drive, statement-making song from The Now Now, Gorillaz's latest spine-chilling album. This song features singer Benjamin Clementine and explores the themes of power, big business and humanity. Legend has it that it was inspired by Donald Trump and most definitely Brexit- it's a true foreshadowing of the future, and all of it's negative effects on humanity.
February 6, 2019
Damon Albarn does the 20-year challenge - has he changed?
What do you think of the change?
January 23, 2019
Damon Albarn- the 10 Year Challenge
Since everyone's into the 10-year challenge (if you're living under a rock- check out these funny memes that everyone's been posting), we thought it'd be fun to do one on behalf of Damon Albarn himself. Here is his 10-year challenge!
January 17, 2019
Damon Albarn working with EDM master Flume on new material
Breaking news- Flume, an EDM producer and DJ has been reported to be working with Damon Albarn for the last 18 months on new material. According to NME, Flume – AKA EDM DJ and producer Harley Streten – is currently working on the follow-up to his second album ‘Skin’, which was released in 2016. He told his audience on a social media post late last year that in 2019 “I’ll be back in your life, I promise,” ending a long hiatus.
According to an old Damon Albarn interview, Albarn has been in the studio with Flume before. Albarn mentioned in passing that he and Flume had worked on something in the studio together. He did give any information on what the tracks were called, when they would be released or specify whether their project would constitute a Gorillaz collaboration or a side project. Speculations have emerged about what exactly the frontman was working on with Flume back then, but new Gorillaz or one-off tracks cannot be struck out.
Anyhow, it's all good news for Damon Albarn fans as it means that something, just maybe, could be coming up.
Stay tuned for more!
January 10, 2019
Gorillaz performs a rendition of Song 2
On 20 October 2018 at the Demon Dayz Fest LA, Damon Albarn's other well-known band Gorillaz played the familiar Song 2 theme but in characteristic Gorillaz style with dub/funk elements. While recognition was still dawning on the audience, Graham Coxon joined Gorillaz onstage and launched into his original riff before he and Gorillaz went on to perform the classic arrangement to an enthusiastic reception.
Watch below for some fun nostalgia!
November 1, 2018
The Good, The Bad and The Queen Tour Dates 2018
Head's up, Damon Albarn's supergroup will be touring again and the tickets are selling out fast. The supergroup recently decided to release a new album and they're out and about the UK playing again. For Blur fans out there this is a great chance to see some of Damon Albarn's finest work.
A little about the band- made from the finest of musical royalty, The Good the Bad and the Queen are a project from King of Britpop himself, Damon Albarn. After making his name with Blur and then stepping up his game with the critically acclaimed Gorillaz, Albarn has made a name for himself as one of the most accomplished and innovative musicians around. With Simon Tong (The Verve), Paul Simonon (The Clash), and Tony Allen, legendary drummer of Africa 70.
Earlier this year, Visconti gave an update on the progress of the long-awaited new album:“In the middle of 2017, I started working with Damon Albarn,” he told The Irish Times. “We’re about two thirds of the way through and taking a break, as Damon is off on a Gorillaz tour, but we will resume in April and it will be probably be out before next Christmas,” he revealed.
The producer also said that the album was inspired by the North of England. “It’s an ode to the North of England, bizarrely…it’s sort of set in Blackpool, between Starr Gate and [historic pub] Uncle Tom’s Cabin, if you want to be geographically precise.”
Get your tickets here!