Artist of the month: Blur
Our latest artist of the month is Blur who have returned in some style.
Date published: 1st Aug 2023
Each month we pick an artist who we feel has absolutely smashed it and is on the way to having a more than memorable year. If July is anything to go by then Blur have bossed it, with a huge list of achievements being added to an already incredible career.
Damon Albarn and co released their new album The Ballad of Darren on the 21st and it has been met with widespread acclaim. A much better return to form than 2015's The Magic Whip, it gave us a different side to the band we all know and love, with a focus on heartbreak and tenderness.
It arguably has some of Blur's best-ever verses, with Albarn's lyrics showing great maturity, such as on The Narcissist, which showcases that the band can still craft incredible sounds with the guitar too as it reaches a satisfying crescendo. Their latest album is an intriguing new chapter for the band.
With Pulp also returning this year it has been a great time for fans of Britpop and just like Pulp, Blur have been playing some huge live dates too. The biggest shows of their career to date were at Wembley, two dates across a weekend which were the perfect opportunity to reconnect with fans.
They've been playing warm-up shows earlier in the year and headlined festivals such as Primavera, receiving a frenzied response at each show as they go through all of the classics. What Wembley showed was that the amount of love and respect for Blur has never changed and not only do they have their original fnas but have picked up plenty more along the way.
The rest of 2023 is looking just as busy for the band as they make their way around the world, playing to even more festival crowds. The amount of love that the band are receiving shows that they are one of Britain's most beloved bands and one of the best to do it in the 90s.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
