Blur’s Damon Albarn concedes defeat: “Oasis won the battle, the war”
Blur frontman Damon Albarn has admitted Oasis “won the battle” between the two bands amid the historic reunion of the Gallagher brothers.
Two years ago, it was the summer of Blur as they made their grand comeback after many years away to headline two shows at Wembley Stadium in London, play a series of festivals across the world and released their chart-topping album, The Ballad of Darren.
While this was a highly successful return for the band, and was the feelgood story of the summer, Albarn believes that Oasis have blown Blur out of the water. In a new interview with The Sun, Albarn said: “The funny thing is that our two nights at Wembley will be dwarfed by their seven.”
Albarn then conceded that Oasis were clear winners of the Britpop war, admitting, “Well, it was obvious, wasn’t it? I think we can officially say that Oasis won the battle, the war, the campaign, everything.”
The Blur frontman continued: “They are the winners. They take first place. In the face of such overwhelming evidence, I am happy to accept and concede defeat. It’s their summer and God bless them. I hope everyone has a wonderful time but I’m going to be in a very, very different place.”
Oasis’ reunion continues today as they make their return to Manchester to perform the first of five shows at Heaton Park, which will see around 400,000 people watch them play over the next ten days in their home city.
Doors open for the Heaton Park shows at 15:00 with music set to begin at 18:00 when Britpop four-piece Cast take to the stage. Then, at 19:00, The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft will perform before Oasis finally return to Manchester after 16 years away at 20:15.
Fans arriving at Heaton Park by tram will be greeted by the familiar voice of Liam Gallagher as they arrive at their destination. Mayor Andy Burnham said of Gallagher’s involvement with the tram network to coincide with the Oasis reunion: “It’s brilliant that Liam is lending his legendary vocals to the Bee Network once again and I’d urge everyone to listen out for them when getting off the tram at Heaton Park for the gigs.”
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