Britpop giants Blur have a new album titled ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ and a couple of massive shows coming up in July at Wembley Stadium. Ahead of the stadium gigs the band decided to put together a few warm-up gigs, one of which was on the South Coast at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne. Tickets were snapped up in an instant but Brighton Source were one of the lucky few to be there.

Just the four-piece, with Damon starting out without any instrument but his voice, Blur’s sound when they took to the stage at Eastbourne was initially pretty grungy and rough. It was clear they’d not played together too often in recent years, although this was their second gig in three days. The opening song was from the unreleased new album and hadn’t been heard before by the audience of about 1,500 people, but it sounded solid and strong. Any worries that they might not play the hits were then abated by the familiar sound of ‘There’s No Other Way’ which provided a chance for Graham Coxon to show us he still had all of his guitar chops intact. From there on the band played a set which kept the hardcore fans in the audience guessing, mixing the many favourites with obscure album tracks – such as ‘Coping’ and ‘Sunday Sunday’ (both from ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’) and ‘Young & Lovely’ which was an offcut from the same 1993 sessions.

At first, cheesemeister Alex James didn’t look to be enjoying being back on stage and Damon Albarn had to walk over and stick his tongue in his face to get him to smile, which he dutifully did. Damon seemed to feel like he had to get the energy in the room up a bit initially, throwing water at the audience and then stepping out front to make a physical connection, which was a lovely boon from seeing the band in this relatively cosy venue.

Blur really started to come into their own about seven songs in. ‘Beetlebum’ was absolutely electric and from thereon in it was obvious they had lost neither their old charm nor their skills. Damon Albarn is still an amazing frontman, and whether picking up a guitar or sitting at a piano adds a richness to the four-piece’s sound. Dave Rowntree’s drumming and Alex James’ bass have also lost none of their reliable power. Perhaps initially people were still shocked at seeing a band this special and so well-loved in such an intimate venue, but they were singing along to pretty much every song from then on.

Blur’s songs are still exceptional and there are so many classics. ‘End Of The Century’, ‘This Is A Low’ and the massive ‘Song 2’ all featured in the main set, as did ‘Parklife’, with a cameo appearance from Phil Daniels. It sounded every bit as original and relevant as that 1994 single always does. The encores included new single ‘The Narcissist’ and the hits ‘Girls & Boys’, ‘Tender’, ‘For Tomorrow’ and ending with ‘The Universal’ the standout track from 1995 album ‘The Great Escape’.

All in all a fantastic gig, with a good mix of familiar favourites and less well-known tracks. It was a special treat for the 1,500 lucky faithful who were able to be there and an excellent reminder as to why Blur are still one of the best and most important British bands of the last few decades.

Next up, Radiohead to play a secret gig at the Hope & Ruin… (only kidding).

Blur played the Winter Gardens, Eastbourne on 21st May 2023
Words by Jon Southcoasting
Photo by Phoebe Fox