Britpop: Last News

Noel Gallagher.The new font is a custom typeface based on Gallagher’s handwriting, which will be used for player names and numbers on the team’s kits. The former Oasis man wrote out the names of every member of the squad alongside each number.

Pulp performed ‘A Sunset’ live for the first time at Flow Festival this weekend.The song, which is co-written by Richard Hawley, was first performed in 2022 when he and Jarvis Cocker debuted it at The Leadmill in their native Sheffield.Earlier this year it made another appearance, performed by Cocker before he delivered ‘Biophobia’ at GEI (Green Events and Innovations conference) in London in March, when a 30-minute multimedia presentation featured the unreleased song.Now, the track has been played by the band for the first time, while Pulp performed on the main stage at the Helsinki festival on Sunday (August 11). According to Setlist.Fm, the moment saw Hawley join them for the rendition, and it arrived as the final song, following on from fan-favourite ‘Common People’.

Noel Gallagher has said that he thinks he will be “fucking lucky to make it to 60” when discussing the current state of his health.The former Oasis guitarist is 57 years old and made the frank and seemingly self-deprecating comments during a recent appearance on Matt Morgan’s podcast, comparing himself unfavourably to the exploits of 81-year-old Mick Jagger.“Well, I mean, they’ve got to be pushing, what, 70 now, innit?” he said. “I mean, the way I feel fucking now, I mean I’ll be fucking lucky if I make it to 60.”“Just because Jagger is mincing around at 103 doesn’t mean everyone can.”He continued that it had come to his attention that he had noticed some recent weight gain, and gave a verdict on what he thought might be the reason.“I could do with getting off the booze, let’s put it that way,” he said.It comes just weeks after he shared his frustration after revealing he will have to have an operation on his “bad knee”.He did not explain the specifics of what had led to the need for surgery, but a source close to the musician told The Sun that he “isn’t happy at all about the fact he needs this knee surgery”.Last week, Noel responded to a fan in the crowd at Y Not Festival who had asked about the possibility of an Oasis reunion.

Oasis reunion, saying that his dad Liam wants it to happen.Speculation about the iconic Britpop band reforming has been brewing over recent years, and came to a head at the start of 2024 as their breakthrough album ‘Definitely Maybe’ marked its 30th anniversary.While nothing has been officially announced, the members have been adding fuel to the fire when it comes to rumours – each expressing an on-and-off approach to the concept in past interviews.Now, Liam’s son – and Noel’s nephew – Gene has also weighed in on the debate, and explained in a new interview that his dad is wanting the reunion to come to fruition.“I get the feeling my dad wants it, too. Let’s hope it happens.

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.

Alan McGee – the former manager of Oasis – has recalled the story behind his legendary photo with Liam Gallagher.The ex-manager of the Britpop icons opened up about the famous image of him with the frontman outside London jazz club Ronnie Scott’s in 1997, and suggested that the calm demeanour they have was far from the case.The photograph captured Gallagher as he was riding the high of Oasis’ fame after the release of their second album ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ and, more specifically, shortly after he had a row with Hurricane #1 singer Alex Lowe.It came after Lowe had recently done an interview with NME, and had referred to Oasis as “these c***s” – something which infuriated the indie-rock icon.“Which he didn’t mean [in an offensive way], that’s just the way we talk in Glasgow. That’s affectionate,” McGee explained in his new memoir (via The Independent), adding that the two got into a physical altercation and Gallagher went on to vent his frustration to him outside the jazz club.“I manage to get them outside, and there’s a famous picture of me and Liam outside Ronnie Scott’s where it looks like we are having a chat, but what he’s really saying is ‘McGee’s a fucking c***!’ to my face,” McGee wrote.“We then went to some drinking club, some posh place like upstairs at the Groucho, and we were in the very back and Liam shouts at me for two hours.“It’s like the blast furnace treatment until he eventually runs out of steam.

Blur and Ghost are currently going head-to-head in the battle for this week’s UK Number One album.Both bands released live records last Friday (July 26). Damon Albarn and co’s ‘Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium’ precedes the Britpop group’s upcoming concert film of the same name, with Ghost’s ‘Rite Here Rite Now’ serving as the soundtrack to the Swedish metal outfit’s recent movie.According to the latest Official Charts update, Blur are ahead in the race to the top spot.

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.

Graham Coxon has revealed that he is open to the idea of Blur getting a hologram show similar to that of ABBA Voyage, but on one condition.The Britpop guitarist discussed the potential of the band getting their own avatars made as part of a hologram show during a new interview with Radio X. In the discussion, he revealed that while he is open to the prospect, he would only want to entertain the idea if it captured the band when they were “a little younger”.“Well Damon’s sort of tackled that a bit with Gorillaz, ain’t he?” Coxon responded when asked about the idea, referring to frontman Damon Albarn’s other band.

Paul Weller has played a surprise performance outside a small chip shop in West London. Check out footage of the moment below.The singer, songwriter and former frontman of The Jam made the appearance on Saturday afternoon, when he took to a stage at a street party in West London.The event was held as a closing party for George’s Fish Bar, and saw Weller perform to locals in the area as part of a surprise set.

Blur’s Damon Albarn has shared that he does not agree with Bob Dylan’s mobile phone ban from his upcoming tour.The discussion arose following the folk-rock icon announcing details of an upcoming UK tour, which will see him play a total of 10 shows across the country this winter.It was also confirmed that a phone ban would be implemented on all dates, and attendees would be made to switch off their phones and place them into a Yondr pouch that would be locked by staff at the venue.Visitors then keep the pouch throughout the gig, however, it can only be re-opened either at the end of the show or if they try to leave the building beforehand.Now, in a new interview with BBC, Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has shared his opposition to the approach, and said that he thinks fans having phones adds to the atmosphere of live performances.“If you start banning things where does it end? I think you’ve just got to turn up and do your thing,” he told the outlet. “People won’t want to be on their phone if you’re engaging with them correctly.”He also went on to reflect on his huge summer shows at Wembley Stadium with Blur last year, and said that the Sunday gig was their favourite-ever performance.

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.

Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Exeter.Presented to him yesterday (July 17), the musician was recognised by the university for his “creativity, innovation, and commitment to environmental causes.”The degree was also awarded in celebration of “the impact of his diverse talents and innovative spirit, and the way he has continuously pushed the boundaries of contemporary music, opera, composition, and collaboration.”In footage shared online, Albarn is seen being presented the certificate and standing on a stage while onlookers cheer. He also gave a speech at the ceremony, where he told others receiving degrees on the day to be proud of what they accomplished and open-minded about their futures.“The last time I came to Exeter was to receive my driving theory certificate.

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.

Noel Gallagher has paused one of his live shows to roast a musician in the crowd – check out footage of the moment below.The gig took place during Gallagher’s shows with the High Flying Birds last night (July 17), when the band performed a huge headline set at Cardiff Castle.Midway through the setlist – which included hits from both Noel’s solo discography and his work with Oasis – the Britpop icon paused the set to interact with a member of the crowd looking to get his attention.In fan-captured footage of the moment, the frontman is seen speaking to a fan who attempted to hand him a CD of his own work, and soon ends up being jokingly berated by the Oasis legend.“You’re in a band? You’re not in a band… what’s on the fucking CD then?” Gallagher is seen asking the fan. “You’re a solo artist… with a haircut like that?”From there, it appears that the crowd member tries to tell Noel that the hairstyle was inspired by his own, to which Noel responds: “What? You copied me? In what respect… your hair doesn’t look like mine, what the fuck are you talking about.

Primal Scream have announced details of ‘Come Ahead’ – their first new album in eight years. Check out the new single ‘Love Insurrection’ below.Announced today (July 17), the new project will mark the band’s 12th studio album and first full-length LP since 2016’s ‘Chaosmosis’. It’ll contain 11 new tracks, and is set to see songwriter, vocalist and frontman Bobby Gillespie deliver some of his most personal and emotionally-open work of his career.The writing process began back in 2022, and came during a time when Gillespie was unsure if he would make another Primal Scream album again.

Suede have announced details of a 30th anniversary reissue of their seminal album ‘Dog Man Star’. Find out more below.Due out on October 4 via Demon Music, the project comes in celebration of the sophomore album turning 30 this year, and comes alongside reimagined artwork and bonus tracks from the era.Originally shared on October 10 1994, the LP marked the highly anticipated follow-up to Suede’s breakthrough, self-titled debut, and featured hits including ‘The Wild Ones’, ‘We Are The Pigs’, ‘Still Life’ and ‘Daddy’s Speeding’.To mark three decades since the original release, Suede will re-release the album as a new half-speed master edition which will be available in both 2LP and 3CD formats.For the latter, the first CD features the original album tracklist, while the second contains B-sides to all Dog Man Star-era single releases as well as the full-length version of the non-album single ‘Stay Together’.

Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus has shared details of a new musical project called The Hard Quartet.The vocalist, songwriter and guitarist shared news of the new band on his social media channels yesterday (July 16), confirming that he would soon be releasing music under a new group called The Hard Quartet.The line-up is comprised of Malkmus, as well as Matt Sweeney, Jim White and Emmett Kelly. All members made the announcement through synchronised posts on their respective social media accounts, and the update shared their new name and logo.It comes after Malkmus had spent the past week teasing fans with the idea of new material, and hinting that the announcement of a new endeavour would be coming shortly.In a series of cryptic messages, they suggested that “a hard band is good to find” and that “a hard band name is good to find” – leading to eagle-eyed fans speculating that a new outfit would be announced.A post shared by Stephen Malkmus (@stephenmalkmus)So far, only the band itself has been announced, with the members and logo confirmed.