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BLUR IN CONCERT:
Since reuniting in 2008 Brit pop icons Blur have consistently killed it on tour, and anticipation for new material has grown exponentially higher with each passing year. Good things come to fans who wait , and in April 2015 the rockers wowed with The Magic Whip – their first studio album in 12 years. On tour the already-energetic performers seemed revitalized by the new material, delivering new songs like “Go Out” with the same flair for style and showmanship that made them stars in the early ‘90s. Whether they’re tearing through cuts from the new album or getting fans bouncing with favorites like “Girls & Boys”, Blur always treat ticket buyers to a career-spanning art rock concert experience for the memory books.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Blur was formed in 1988 at London’s Goldsmiths College when childhood friends Damon Albarn (vocals) and Graham Coxon (guitar) linked up with bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. The group initially performed under the names Circus and Seymour, and in 1990 they changed their name to Blur and signed to Food Records. After touring the UK with the Cramps, they released their 1991 debut album Leisure. The album was a Top 10 hit in the UK, spawning popular singles like “She’s So High” and “There’s No Other Way”. Their 1993 sophomore album Modern Life is Rubbish was similarly successful, but it was 1994’s Parklife that really established them as superstars thanks to the international hit “Girls & Boys”. The release marked their first No.1 record in the UK – a feat the band has repeated with each subsequent album. Following a hiatus between 2003-2008 the band reunited for extensive touring, but a new album wouldn’t arrive until 2015’s The Magic Whip. That album once again topped the charts, proving Albarn and company remain as vital as ever and drumming up big expectations for their continued touring.
I had never seen this band live, and was always more of an Oasis fan during the '90s when they were rivals. This show exceeded all my expectations. Superb musicianship, humor, and amazing song-craft combined for an outstanding evening under the stars at the Bowl. This was a real treat, since the band doesn't tour very often in the U.S., and I almost didn't get tickets. I'm really glad I did. I'm a Blur-eever!
I've been wanting to see Blur live since I was 10 when I had first gotten a hold of their self-titled album in 2001 from FYE. They had instantly become one of my favorite bands, alongside Gorillaz. After listening to their self titled album, I listened to the rest of their works online and fell in love, Damon Albarn had become an idol to me. Little did ten year old me know what was going on with the band and that they would soon break off, but not before one last tour, sans Graham. I had no idea they were even touring in 2003 and I would have been too young to see them in Toronto anyway. So when it was announced in 2009 that the band was getting back together with Graham in the mix, my hopes had risen. They played a few on/off shows, a series of festivals, and then not much else had happened. The one off single, Fool's Day, was released, and that seemed like a little teaser for something else, but two years go by before Damon and the gang even announce more shows to coincide with the Olympic's closing ceremony, and another single, the wonderful Under the Westway/The Puritan. After those shows, and the festivals extending into 2013, it seems like that might be the last of Blur. Two years later. Blur surprises the world by announcing The Magic Whip, their first album in 12 years which culminated from a series of recordings in Hong Kong after a show in Japan was canceled. Better yet, the album turns out to be outstanding and Blur is satisfied enough with the response that they announce a world tour. Days, weeks go by, and Americans are waiting. They play Jimmy Fallon and a surprise free show at the Williamsburg Music Hall. I would have gone, but it was so limited, I would have never made it. Another week goes by and there it is, they announce two major shows in the US, their first two major shows, sans Coachella, since 2003. It was decided that I would take the train from Buffalo to NYC and see my favorite band play at MSG. And it was great. The band walked onto the stage after a brilliant set by Courtney Barnett, whose debut album is one of the best of the year. You can tell Damon is excited before they dive into Go Out, the debut single from The Magic Whip. The crowd goes nuts. Looking around, MSG looks packed, and I would later find out that it was indeed sold out. Blur demonstrates that they can perform in an American arena on par with how they do in arenas in the UK. After performing a few new ones and a few classics that everyone was into, they bust out Country Sad Ballad Man, which, aside from playing it a week prior in Mexico, they hadn't played it since 2000. Next they play Beetlebum and Graham really shines hear with his guitar work, proving that he really is one of the greats. Two songs later they play Trimm Trabb where Dave's drums excel in sound and Damon in on his knees, kneeling over the crowd in despair as he sings "I sleep alone". Tender has the whole crowd moving in an excellent performance and then Damon tops it off by calling Donald Trump a chump, "Democracy, right?". With Parklife, they bring a number of fans onstage as they were unable to bring any celebrity, unlike in LA when Fred Armisen had performed the song. Fortunately, one of the fans has the first verse memorized and nails it before Damon takes over, finishing the song off. The rest of the set is exactly what I expected from Blur, a series of hits and popular songs. And I couldn't be more satisfied. For hundreds, if not thousands of people, this would be their first time seeing Blur and with such a rare show, of course they're not gonna play Billy Jean or Zeal, how random would that be? But thankfully they did close off the proper set with This Is A Low, what a great song. Minutes later for the encore, they plow through Stereotypes, which was a pleasure to see live, Girls and Boys, which I expected them to play at some point, For Tomorrow, which was actually unexpected but well received, and then The Universal. The violinists shine here, and Damon is so happy that he can finally say, "Friday night at Madison Square Garden, thank you for this". It had only taken them 25 years to get to this point, and man, it was well worth the wait as I had gotten to see it with my own eyes. This is surely a night to remember.
BLUR was bloody brilliant!! They sound even better now than they did 12 years' ago. I love that they only chose to do 2 shows, and that one of them was at Madison Square Garden. They spread the love East Coast & West Coast style!
So glad that Blur stopped by the US for their tour for their new album! Never been to NY, but made the trip from TX just so I could see this band live with my sister. Wasn't disappointed. The band put on a high energy performance playing all their classics as well as their great new songs. They got the crowd involved, and even in my nosebleed seats, I felt part of the show! Wish they had more shows in the US! Come back soon!
I had wanted to see Blur my entire life. I finally did and it was amazing.
Blur only played two shows in the US this fall in support of its surprise new album The Magic Whip, so my wife and I flew to NYC to catch the East Coast show at Madison Square Garden. Blur were extremely thankful finally to be playing in such a prestigious location. The whole show was a big 'thank you' to the fans. The setlist spanned the band's illustrious career. I was hoping for a few more new songs, but I can't complain a bit. The band was in top form, careening about the stage as if it were 1997. The crowd as just as appreciative, singing along to every song. It was an amazing night. Never thought we would see Blur with Graham Coxon again, so it was particularly poignant.
I've been a fan of Blur since my teenage years, so it was a dream come true to attend this concert. The best part was the energy and vibrant atmosphere and that they played songs from all the albums, including the least commercial ones.
Damon is a genius, Graham is a rock god and Blur is best when the play live.
First and only time I saw blur was at Dc's 9:30 club, off the Think Tank tour, I was lucky enough to see them with 1200 others... Seeing them for 2 hours at the majestic Madison Square Garden was a true dream come true. Band deserve a much bigger audience here in the states, and for 2 hours, in the greatest city on earth, it seem like blur and America finally understood each other. This was one of the best 2 hours I spent this year...
Woo-hoo!! Never thought I would get to see them so it was a treat. The "Tender / Parklife / Song 2" stretch of songs towards the end of the main set was great. Lots of fun and energy.
