Blur have announced a run of warm-up shows ahead of their huge reunion gigs this summer.
The Parklife group – starring Damon Albarn, Alex James, Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree – will play a pair of shows at London’s Wembley Stadium amid a string of European dates, marking their first full concerts since 2015.
Ahead of the jaunt, the Britpop stars will head to Colchester Arts Centre, Eastbourne Winter Gardens, The Halls in Wolverhampton and Newcastle’s O2 City Hall for a series of intimate dates next month.
Just announced 🚨 blur warm-up shows in Colchester, Eastbourne, Wolverhampton and Newcastle.
— blur (@blurofficial) April 25, 2023
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General sale starts 10am on Friday 28th April. pic.twitter.com/HCWoRq8IvW
Tickets for the dates are on sale now.
The full list of intimate gigs is below.
MAY
19 – Arts Centre, Colchester
21 – Winter Gardens, Eastbourne
26 – The Halls, Wolverhampton
28 – O2 City Hall, Newcastle
The reunion shows will see Blur perform iconic hits and fan favourites, with chart-topping rapper Slowthai, singer-songwriter Self Esteem and electro pop duo Jockstrap joining the group on the road.
Speaking on the gigs, Damon Albarn says: “We really love playing these songs and thought it’s about time we did it again.”
“I’m really looking forward to playing with my blur brothers again and revisiting all those great songs,” continues Graham Coxon. “Blur live shows are always amazing for me. A nice guitar and an amp turned right up and loads of smiling faces…”
Alex James adds: “There’s always something really special when the four of us get in a room. It’s nice to think that on 8th July that room will be Wembley Stadium.”
“After the chaos of the last few years, it’s great to get back out to play some songs together on a summer’s day in London,” says Dave Rowntree. “Hope to see you there.”
