Blur Are Back | Albarn and Co Reform

It’s been a long time coming but at last Blur are back, having officially reformed with all four original members. Okay, so it isn’t like The Beatles reforming (which they’d have a job doing now anyway) but it’s still a brilliant moment for British music and one I want to celebrate.

Talk of a Blur reunion began last October when the four original members met up for lunch and a bit of a catch-up. But that was it, nothing else happened for almost a year before the petty squabbling seemed to raise its ugly head once again. Damon Albarn was reported to have said “Blur is over,” and Graham Coxon responded with a lengthy rant.

By November, the chances of a reunion were looking better, with Albarn stating how it was very possible he’d rejoin the group once again. By the end of November the band were rehearsing with each other as a four piece again for the first time since 2000, but no further plans were announced.

Now, on December 9, 2008, Blur are officially back. Damaon Albarn and Graham Coxon have apparently patched up the differences that lead to the split in the first place, and Alex James and Dave Rowntree are also along for the ride.

Here is ITN’s report on the Blur reunion, including an interview with Albarn. The most interesting part of the video is when the reporter refers to an Alex Turner in the band. Hmm, surely some mistake?

Albarn told NME:

“It just felt it was right again. It somehow feels like there’s something for us to do again, we’re not completely useless or pointless, we’ve got a reason to exist.”

Blur will first play live together again at a headlining show in Hyde Park, London on Friday, July 3, 2009. Tickets go on sale this Friday but are expected to sell out ultra fast. Then the band will likely play further gigs, including a much-rumored spot at the Glastonbury festival.

I’m ecstatically happy that Blur are back as I was and still am a huge fan. Here’s hoping that being around each other, especially while preparing to gig again, doesn’t open the old wounds up too quickly. If not then here’s hoping for some new material from the band before too long.

What do you think of the Blur reunion? Are you glad to see them back? Would you like to see Blur and Oasis embark on Battle of the Britpop bands Round II? Let us know in the comments section.

[Photo Source: From Newscom with permission]