Reunion for Parklife’s 30th Anniversary?

[aldamasta]

This sounds too good to be true, especially since it’s from an anonymous source in the S*n, but what if it really really really could happen? https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/b ... n-wembley/

[Caitlin]

Copied the article for those who don't want to click through because The S*n is trash:

BRITPOP IS BACK Britpop legends Blur ready to announce their comeback with a huge gig at Wembley stadium

KINGS of Britpop Blur are preparing to make their music comeback – with a huge gig at Wembley.

The group, famed for six No1 albums and smash hits including Country House, Beetlebum and Tender, have agreed to reform ahead of the 30th anniversary of their career defining album Park Life.

Rockers Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree, have been privately masterminding their return for almost a year.

A source said: “Britpop fans will want to shout this from the rooftop – Blur are back.

“The lads have been talking about this for a while and now it is becoming a reality.

“Their plans are being kept closely guarded but there is a concert at Wembley which has been pencilled in which will coincide with the 30th anniversary of their second album Park Life.

“It is all incredibly exciting and the band are all totally on board and are clearing their schedules ready to get going again.”

Blur announced they were taking a break again seven years ago, not long after the release of their last album The Magic Whip.

The record was the first they had released in 12 years and was well received – going straight to the No1 spot.

When asked about a reunion, Damon said: “I am just about to have a conversation with people about Blur and I would love to sing all those songs again.

“I miss the songs. I miss playing with Blur.”

During the interview he went on to admit the revival was “not something I would do just for the sake of it,” adding: “There has to be a really good reason to do it all again and then I will wholeheartedly engage with it.”

As a band Blur stood out as the leaders of the Nineties Britpop movement.

They finally hit the big time following the release of their third record Park Life, which went straight to the No1 spot in 1994.

Blur went onto have three consecutive No1 albums before the Best Of…was released in 2000 and reached No3.

They were back three years later with their No1 album Think Tank but had to wait 12 years to emulate that success with The Magic Whip in 2015.

[aldamasta]

Good move, thanks Caitlin! The article is all fluff and an old Damon interview quote, seems so unlikely. But I wanna be wrong!!

[John_d]

I had assumed this would include a not very subtle plug for The Big Feastival. But it doesn't appear to. Has it occurred already?

It's plausible that they might try to play a really big show. I don't think anyone would or could get excited about Hyde Park again. I'm still surprised that they got big crowds in for Hollywood Bowl and MSG. So in England, anything must be possible. No UK band over the last 30 years has managed to put together a similar "greatest hits" discography, with possible exception of Oasis and Arctic Monkeys. And obviously Coldplay. Gorillaz must be having a big impact too.

[Ian_D]

I’d be thrilled if they did a big gig in Hyde Park again. In fact it feels sort of traditional and Wembley would almost feel wrong in comparison, but if this news is true I’m there whatever!

[JackS]

The Sun had the Magic Whip announcement a little early so they might be right. But it doesn't seem very 'Blur' to commemorate an album release like this.

If so... keep the weekend of 27th April 2024 free I guess!

Really don't want Hyde Park again. Sick of it. Dreadful venue and awful sound. Wembley is a great gig venue

[stephen]

It always surprises me the large venues that they are able to pull in playing old songs.

I love blur, obviously. But even the reunions are getting tiresome. If it was a tour / festival tour with a new album that would be way more exciting, maybe I'm asking too much

[windymiller]

Surely it wouldn't even be cost effective to play a one off stadium show at Wembley these days. Acts play there as part of their own huge tours. When Blur have done Hyde Park its always been on a purpose built stage and venue set up for numerous acts over a month or so.

[idreamofpikas]

I hate the Sun, but they were correct last time. Damon seems to be in love with live music right now so I can see this happening. Covid and his age has probably meant he's no longer putting off Blur indefinitely.

If the Gorillaz movie is actually happening, I can see Damon focussing elsewhere in the period it takes for the film to be animated.

[Themongoose87]

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3532

Looks like my source may have been right, apart from the year

[John_d]

Wembley is plausible if blur are playing amongst a series of gigs there. As I've mentioned before, I think Blur have to play Hyde Park as it has a pre built stage for other big shows. They dont/can't have their own huge stage for a single show. Damon has toured like a maniac over the last 9 months. This will continue until autumn. I doubt the idea of a lot of blur gigs is appealing...

[dougharrison]

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3532

Looks like my source may have been right, apart from the year

Yes very close, so far only the year, number of nights and a new album being competed incorrect.

[aldamasta]

Good job Themongoose87! Nailed the Wembley shows. 3 nights would be nice, wonder if that would actually happen.

blur are still big enough, and come around so rarely, that they can play almost wherever they want I think. Especially when Gorillaz are kind of warming them up in a way by touring so much and still being hugely successful.

I'll definitely be keeping my spring 2024 plans open, but sorely hope that they'll do a world tour. I know it won't be as big as Gorillaz current tour... still.

I would be surprised if they only come out doing greatest hits/Parklife celebration. Wouldn't that contradict a lot of what the band (specifically Damon) has said about reunions? I love Suede, but blur haven't been the type to do a Dog Man Star night at the Royal Albert, historically. Closest I guess was the Singles tour in 99. Damon carries around a metric fuck-load of songs with him at all times. I'm not giving up on the new album! My greatest hope is for a Merrie Land-type sound with some of the blur/Gorillaz pop sensibilities thrown in. My disappointment would be a one-off greatest hits show at Wembley. Rambling over...

[JackS]

I think as people have said, Wembley needs its own stage - so if they’re doing it - maybe they are finally going for a proper global stadium tour with their own stage.

Ambitious - but worth a try

[Daft_Wader]

Yeah with all Damon has said about turning down Parklife reunion gigs... I wonder if they are sitting on some new songs.