‘We’ve all got to get on with our lives now,’ the frontman says. Damon Albarn says he “hasn’t thought” about Blur since their 2009 reunion tour ended. The frontman, who took to the road throughout the summer with the group, playing numerous sold-out shows and festivals, has said he has moved on from the experience. “It was stadiums and everybody singing and very euphoric,” Albarn (Read more…)

The London Evening Standard today launches the third edition of The 1000. The magazine celebrates the 1000 people who are doing most to shape and change London. Geordie Greig, Editor of the London Evening Standard, (Read more…)

Massive Attack have announced the release of their first new material in three years – an EP of four new tracks due for release in October.

The lead track ‘Splitting The Atom’ features Robert Del Naja, Grant Marshall and Horace Andy, while TV On The Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe guests on ‘Pray For Rain’. The EP also has remixes of two new tracks. ‘Psyche’ featuring Martina (Read more…)

GRAHAM COXTON battled through a bout of food poisoning to honour Blur’s T In The Park appearance. The guitarist spent yesterday in hospital with the condition as rumours spread round the Scottish festival that Blur would not be playing. But he overcame his sickness to take to the stage, albeit an hour and a half late, to continue to play their last comeback gig. Frontman Damon Albarn told the crowd: “Hi. We nearly didn’t make it. Graham literally walked out of a hospital to come here. He’s alright. This is our last gig.” But the crowd were in a forgiving mood having taken out their anger on co-headliners Snow Patrol. They booed the Northern Ireland rocks who said they were prepared to go on do a double set if the Brit-poppers didn’t show and even went on late to bide Blur a bit of time. Speaking to the Mirror, Blur fan Hazel Blackstock said: “I sort of didn’t like that they were late but it was ok. It was worth it, they were so good.” Rosie Macdonald added: “It was mental. We had to wait an a hour and a half at the barriers but it was worth it. It was brilliant.”

GRAHAM COXON has admitted he tried to jump out of a window when Blur got to number one.The band’s guitarist spoke about how he wanted to end it all when Country House made it to the top of the singles’ charts. He said Britpop was a “grotesque travesty” that was “more about petty rivalries” than any genuine celebration of music. And it was lead singer Damon Albarn who stopped him from leaping to his death. Coxon said: “It was the climax to the so-called Blur/Oasis war. ‘Country House’ had outsold ‘Roll With It’ and went straight to the top of the charts. It felt like a hollow, pointless victory to me. “Our record company threw a big champagne party at Soho House in London. I felt I was being forced into enjoying the moment and I just wanted to be alone really.” He added: “I couldn’t handle being part of that crowd so I tried to jump out of a sixth-storey window. “It was Damon who talked me out of it. Looking back, I should have enjoyed myself a lot more than I did during the Blur days.”

The ‘Parklife’ stars - singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree - reconciled late last year to play several reunion concerts this summer but had not confirmed if they would release new material. However, Graham - who left the group before they began working on their last LP, 2003’s ‘Think Tank’ - said: “I’d be up for it if everyone else is really into the idea. “If it feels good then we will record again. I’m sure we will.” However, fans can expect a long wait for any new music from the group. Graham added to Britain’s Daily Star newspaper: “We’ve got some stuff going on so it won’t be in the immediate future.” Blur announced yesterday (21.04.09) details of three more warm up concerts ahead of their July shows in London’s Hyde Park. They will play Southend Cliffs Pavilion on June 21, Wolverhampton Civic Hall on June 24 and Newcastle City Hall on June 25.

Tickets go on limited sale to fans today (22.04.09) and on general sale on Friday(24.04.09).

Previously announced intimate concerts at London’s Goldsmiths college - where members of the group studied - and a hometown show at Colchester Railway Museum sold out shortly after going on sale last week.

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