Damon Albarn has conceded the great Britpop Rivalry, declaring the newly reunited Oasis the victors over Blur. “Nicely, it was apparent, wasn’t it?” he instructed The Sun. “I believe we will formally say that Oasis received the battle, the battle, the marketing campaign, every thing.”
Blur famously “beat” Oasis within the early days of the Battle of Britpop when Albarn moved the discharge date of Blur’s “Nation Home” to compete with Oasis’ “Roll with It.” “Nation Home” edged out the Gallagher brothers on the charts, which quickly gave Blur the crown. As Oasis’ “Live ’25” tour is proving to be a massive success, nevertheless, Albarn says he’s “completely satisfied” to abdicate the throne.
“They’re the winners. They take first place. Within the face of such overwhelming proof, I’m completely satisfied to simply accept and concede defeat,” he stated. “It’s their summer time and God bless them. I hope everybody has an exquisite time, however I’m going to be in a really, very totally different place.”
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Albarn beforehand stated the Oasis reunion was “a good thing,” however famous he wouldn’t be attending. On this new interview, he shared his ideas on the scale of Oasis’ tour schedule, which dwarfs Blur’s earlier reunions (first in 2009 after which in 2022 for The Ballad of Darren): “I couldn’t do as many gigs as they’re doing. That’s a number of the identical emotion. They’re very courageous and I hope it’s value it. You realize, cash isn’t every thing.”
It’s a disgrace that Blur’s impassively received Coachella 2025 set might properly be the band’s last, however Albarn apparently has no onerous emotions in direction of Britpop acts nonetheless making waves. Requested about Pulp’s reunion and new album, More, Albarn laughed, “God bless them as properly. God bless all people!”
With Blur behind him, Albarn is concentrated on his newest undertaking with Africa Specific, Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá. Oasis, in the meantime, are in the midst of their five-night hometown reunion in Manchester, and can arrive for his or her North American tour leg in August. Get tickets here to catch the official Kings of Britpop at one of many summer time’s can’t-miss exhibits.
Oasis even have introduced the Oasis: Complete Studio Album Collection field set, packaged as an 8xCD or 14xLP assortment. Due out August twenty second, and pre-orders for normal CD and vinyl are ongoing, as are Amazon-exclusive gold CD and vinyl variants.
Watch Oasis play “Cigarettes & Alcohol” in Manchester this previous weekend beneath.
