Dave Rowntree: Last News

Blur‘s Dave Rowntree has called UK laws on assisted dying “psychopathic” as he has opened up about his ex-wife’s decision to pursue a medically-assisted death.The Blur drummer has spoken out for the first time on his ex-wife Paola Marra’s assisted death. Marra, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and terminal bowel cancer in 2020, made the decision to end her life at Switzerland’s Dignitas, a nonprofit organisation specialising in end-of-life care options and assisted deaths.Marra made the decision to pursue a medically-assisted death due to the uncertainty and probable pain of death by bowel cancer, along with her allergies to powerful painkillers.

Alex James has said he “burst into tears” when he saw his teenage daughter in the crowd at a recent Blur show.The bassist of the Britpop group, who released the memoir Over The Rainbow: Tales Of An Unexpected Year earlier this month, has reflected on the band’s new generation of fans, and on his children attending Blur concert.Speaking to Channel 4 News, James recalled an early reunion warm-up show in Eastbourne, where he joked that his older children “all got drunk immediately and fell over and started going absolutely mental”. However, he noted that his youngest daughter, who is 14 years old, was surprisingly moved by the gig.“I knew where she was standing, they put her on the viewing platform and when they switch the lights on, you literally can’t see anything but the first time the house lights came up I knew where she was standing and I stole a glance over there,” James said.“And she was like head back, arms aloft and I literally, I just burst into tears.

EXCLUSIVE: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired North American rights to two films about the major U.K. rock band Blur: the documentary blur: To The End and the concert film blur: Live At Wembley Stadium, eyeing both for theatrical release later this year.

Blur and Oasis.Reportedly titled The Battle, the upcoming play is currently in development, and set to be headed to London stages by 2025.The plot will chart out the tense rivalry between the two Britpop icons, which ran throughout the ‘90s as each one rose to prominence and took over the UK music scene. It’ll also centre on the summer of 1995 – when fans went head to head, debating whether Blur would top the charts with ‘Country House’ or whether Oasis would seal the victory with ‘Roll With It’.Blur went on to win that battle, but the band’s Alex James later said that Oasis won the war.It has been written by humorist and writer John Niven – an A&R executive and former indie rocker – and it is being produced by Simon Friend, who has also worked on productions like Ghost Stories, The Girl On The Train, Life Of Pi and more.The latter spoke to Deadline recently, announcing the news of the upcoming Oasis/Blur production.

Graham Coxon has spoken to NME about Blur‘s new Live At Wembley Stadium concert film, the headlines that surrounded their Coachella performance, and what the future may hold for the band.July saw the release of To The End – a documentary directed by Transgressive Records founder Toby L. It followed the reunion of Coxon with Damon Albarn, Alex James and Dave Rowntree on their return to record 2023 comeback album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ ahead of a tour culminating in pair of shows at London’s Wembley Stadium last summer.

Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium is in cinemas now, but what songs do the Britpop legends play in the film? Read on for all the details.The feature length film is released in UK and Irish cinemas today (September 6), and you can find ticket information here.An official synopsis reads: “Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium, the new cinematic two-hour concert film immortalising the band’s historic 2023 show which saw Blur perform their iconic and much-loved songs for 150,000 fans across a transcendent, once-in-a-generation performance weekend that delivered a sweep of ecstatic 5 star reviews.”“Directed by Toby L, Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium captures the band in full flight at the biggest show of their career, featuring electrifying performances of hits from across their celebrated songbook, including tracks from 2023’s acclaimed, chart-topping album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’.”In a five-star review of Blur’s first Wembley concert, NME wrote: “This two-hour performance shows that Blur have soundtracked the audience’s lives with real emotional impact.”The concert film follows on from the recent Blur: To The End documentary feature, which found the band reflecting on the legacy of their three decades together.NME recently spoke to director and Transgressive Records founder Toby L about that film, which he said captures Blur’s “friendship dynamics and brotherhood”.NME gave To The End a full five stars, calling the film a “spiritual sequel” to 2010’s No Distance Left To Run that “shows a band simply supporting each other”. It added: “Whether they return again or not remains to be seen.

Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has expressed his delight to see Oasis back together, sharing that he would be “first in the queue” to see the band live.The two Britpop bands were locked in an infamous rivalry throughout the 1990s, but it seems the Blur drummer is holding no grudges as long-feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher announced last week that they would be reuniting as Oasis for a series of 17 summer stadium gigs across the UK and beyond.Tickets went on sale over the weekend and sold out at 7pm, though the dynamic pricing structure and price fluctuation has caused much controversy and may even breach consumer law, according to experts.In a new interview with the BBC, Rowntree – who last year told El Pais that the bands now “all get along well” – said he would “definitely go and see” the Gallagher brothers’ long-awaited comeback tour next year.The drummer, who also ran as Labour’s MP candidate in Mid Sussex in the general election, added that he would be “first in the queue”, since he had never seen Oasis perform live before.“Blur and Oasis combined changed what the pop music genre meant, and that doesn’t happen very often,” he added.The musician went on to explain how people often applied “their particular prejudice” when it came to the apparent rivalry – which he said served as “helpful media hype” – between the two bands.“So people wanting to see England as a North-South divided country could lay that on there, people that wanted to view it in terms of class could do that,” he added.Rowntree’s comments come after Blur frontman Damon Albarn last year said the “road is clear” for an Oasis reunion.

Blur bassist Alex James said he hopes the band will keep going for “a very long time” in a recent interview.The bassist of the Britpop group, who is releasing the memoir Over The Rainbow: Tales Of An Unexpected Year later this year, has said he is eager to continue collaborating with his bandmates.When asked about the band’s future, James shared with The Sun newspaper: “Last year was truly magical. I hope we can keep doing it and keeping it special for as long as we live.

Dave Rowntree has reflected on Blur’s discography, and named the album he thinks is the band’s strongest “by quite a long way”.During a new interview the drummer had with Super Deluxe Edition, the drummer looked back at the huge milestones the band have accumulated over the past year – including their two massive shows at London’s Wembley Stadium, and the release of their brand new documentary, Blur: To The End.In the discussion, Rowntree elaborated on how the members took a similar approach to their reunion shows as they did on their latest album, 2023’s ‘The Ballad Of Darren’.“There was a conscious decision to strip things back, both on the tour and ‘The Ballad Of Darren’. In the shows, we didn’t have a string section and we only had a choir on ‘Tender’,” he explained.“We didn’t have brass or the other things that make a bigger sound and can artificially enhance everything.

Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has hinted there may still be a future for the band, despite them appearing to announce that they had played their last ever show.The Britpop band played at this year’s Coachella Festival, during which frontman Damon Albarn said, “this is probably our last gig”.That came after Albarn stated in December that the band would be going on a hiatus until further notice, saying “it’s too much for me”.“It is time to wrap up this campaign,” he said. “It’s too much for me.

Blur have shared the official trailer for their new concert film, Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium – watch below.The video coincides with the release of the Britpop band’s new live album of the same name today (July 26).Directed by Toby L (who also helmed the new Blur documentary To The End), the upcoming feature-length project captures Damon Albarn and co’s huge reunion shows at London’s Wembley Stadium last summer.The trailer for the movie begins with an aerial shot of the venue. As a roar from the massive crowd erupts, Blur are seen in the wings before making their way to the stage.

Blur‘s Alex James has announced his brand new book Over The Rainbow: Tales From An Unexpected Year.The bassist of the iconic Britpop band took to his official Instagram to reveal the news of his forthcoming book, explaining that it will discuss “the story of an extraordinary year” including Blur’s reunion and their massive Wembley shows.“It chronicles the mayhem of exactly what happened when I hooked back up with my Blur brothers,” James wrote in the caption of his post. “It’s eight years since we last made a record and I’d forgotten how much I love them.

Blur documentary To The End is released into cinemas today (July 19), but what songs do the Britpop greats play in the film? Read on for all the details.The film will ““follow the unique relationship of four friends and bandmates of three decades – Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree – as they came together in early 2023 to record new songs ahead of their sold-out, first-ever shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in July last summer.”Earlier this month, the band released a clip from the film that chronicles the moments before the quartet took to the stage at Wembley, as they huddle together sharing a laugh.Albarn narrates: “I don’t allow it to get to me ’cause I accept if my voice can’t sing all those songs then that’s just the way it is. If I was really neurotic about things like that, I’d be shitting myself.” The clip ends with Blur walking onstage to deafening applause.

Graham Coxon has opened up about Blur‘s Coachella 2024 performance and addressed the lacklustre and “bored” crowd.The Britpop icons took to the Californian festival’s mainstage back in April and delivered a career-spanning set, including fan favourites like ‘Song 2’ and ‘Popscene’. During their performance of ‘Girls & Boys’ the crowd appeared pretty tame which visibly irritated frontman Damon Albarn.“You can do it better than that,” he told attendees at one point while trying to conduct a sing-a-long to the 1994 track, which was met by a quiet crowd. When he still didn’t get the desired response, the frontman said: “You’re never seeing us again, so you might as well fucking sing it.

Alex James has shared that he thought Blur might “never happen again” ahead of their 2023 reunion.The bassist spoke about the dynamic of the Britpop band ahead of the release of their brand new documentary, Blur: To The End, and revealed that ahead of their comeback last year, he had doubts about whether the members would ever join forces once again.Speaking with Rich Clarke of Heart Kent last night (July 17), James looked back at their eight years apart, and what it was like to reform for some huge shows at London’s Wembley Stadium last summer, the huge 2023 comeback album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ and the feature-length film.“It premiered last night in the West End, and it was really great to see all the boys. I’m really glad we captured all that fun and games,” he said.

Blur‘s new documentary To The End has spoken to NME about the emotional process of making the film – and what the future might hold for the band.The film, directed by Transgressive Records founder Toby L, follows the reunion of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree on their return to record 2023 comeback album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ ahead of a tour culminating in pair of shows at London’s Wembley Stadium last summer.However, with Albarn reeling from his split from his long-term partner Suzi Winstanley after 25 years, and some struggle for other members to return to being in an arena band, the road back isn’t as smooth at first as they’d hoped.In a five-star review of To The End, NME concluded: “They bicker, they hug, they call each other c**ts, they get the job done. While Blur’s last doc and accompanying live movie No Distance Left To Run was a portrait of a band celebrating their legacy and giving a nostalgia-hungry world exactly what they craved, this spiritual sequel shows a band simply supporting each other.

Blur have shared a new clip from their upcoming documentary, To The End – watch it below.On July 5, two weeks ahead of To The End‘s cinematic release in the UK and Ireland, the band shared a new clip that chronicles the minutes before Damon Albarn and co. took to the stage at Wembley last year.In the clip, we see throngs of fans at the sold-out Wembley Arena, as Albarn, Alex James, Dave Rowntree and Graham Coxon huddle together before heading out on stage, sharing a laugh.Albarn narrates: “I don’t allow it to get to me ’cause I accept if my voice can’t sing all those songs then that’s just the way it is.

UK general election yesterday (July 4), Blur drummer Dave Rowntree was unsuccessful in his bid to become MP for his Mid Sussex constituency.Rowntree was beaten to a seat by Alison Bennett, the candidate for the Liberal Democrats.When he announced he’d been selected as Labour candidate last March, he said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to become Labour’s first Mid Sussex MP. Residents have their best chance in a generation to make their vote count and return a Labour MP to parliament.”If you want to get rid of the @Conservatives in Mid Sussex, vote @UKLabour #Win24 pic.twitter.com/ZGcXM1bhRd— Dave Rowntree (@DaveRowntree) June 29, 2024Sir Keir Starmer has now fulfilled that aim, with Labour sweeping hundreds of seats across the country and ending 14 years of Conservative rule.The FAC, for whom Rowntree is an Artist in Residence, have extended their commiserations to the X drummer, but have said they look forward to working with “a new influx of MPs” following the Labour win.At the end of year FAC AGM in 2023, which NME supported, Rowntree highlighted the financial difficulties musicians were facing because of streaming.“Our Blur album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ on week one in the UK sold just over 44,000 units – including 22,000 vinyl albums, 13,000 CDs, 3,000 cassettes and 2,000 sales-equivalent streams,” he said.“In fact, the album had tens of millions of streams on Spotify alone but the cassette sales had a bigger impact on our chart position.

the party swept hundreds of seats across the country and ended 14 years of Conservative rule.Sir Keir Starmer is set to be appointed Prime Minister later today (July 5) and promised “national renewal” in a victory speech. Now, the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has said it looks forward to working with “a new influx of MPs” following today’s landslide win.The FAC is the trade union body representing the needs of musicians and artists in the UK, and its CEO, David Martin, has said it’s crucial to “pick up on unfinished business from the previous Parliament, and quickly deliver the much-anticipated reforms to music streaming alongside greater support for the live music ecosystem”.In a bid to support live music earlier this year, MPs recommended a ticket levy on arenas and stadiums to save grassroots venues and artists.

Blur have paid tribute to their former collaborator Françoise Hardy, who has died at the age of 80.The French singer-songwriter, actor and model’s death was confirmed by her son Thomas Dutronc on Tuesday (June 11).A cause of death has yet to be disclosed. However, Hardy shared in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in 2018 following a lymphoma diagnosis in 2004, and said she felt “close to the end” of her life.Hardy worked with Blur in 1995 on a reworked version of the band’s single ‘To The End’ – the original of which appeared on their third studio album, 1994’s ‘Parklife’.The team-up ultimately became a duet, ‘To the End (La Comedie)’, and it was subsequently serviced as a single in France.

Blur have announced details of their new feature-length documentary To The End, which will follow their recent comeback and the release of their first album in eight years.The Britpop icons first shared a teaser about the upcoming project back in February, when they announced that a feature-length documentary was on the way, and set to recall the making of their latest album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’.Now, frontman Damon Albarn and co. have shared the title of the film, and confirmed that it will be arriving in cinemas across the country later this summer.Called Blur: To The End, the new documentary will be shown in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from July 19 and, according to a press release, will “follow the unique relationship of four friends – and bandmates of three decades – Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree as they came together in early 2023 to record new songs ahead of their sold-out, first-ever shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in July last summer.”The Wembley shows refer to when the band played two massive back-to-back headline shows at the venue last summer.