Taken from a boisterous 2023 reunion show, Blur’s latest, Live at Wembley Stadium, finds the London band reliving their Britpop glory days.
Videos by American Songwriter
The band’s nostalgic and fiery takes are captured on a sprawling double live album. The accompanying concert film arrives in UK cinemas on September 6. International release dates to follow.
Live at Wembley Stadium sounds refreshingly live. It’s a point worth making because most live albums are tinkered with in the studio. But Blur left the mistakes. The middle-aged band hurtles and bangs its way through the songbook. It’s pure joy and you see why Blur were so entertaining all along.
Blur rose to great heights in the 1990s, riding a wave of British pride and the cultural dominance of guitar-based alternative and indie bands. Live at Wembley Stadium documents the second of two Wembley shows performed. The list below highlights four songs from the stadium concert.
“Beetlebum”
After becoming one of Britpop’s big four with Oasis, Suede, and Pulp, Blur then embraced American indie rock bands like Pavement and retooled their sound. “Beetlebum” opens Blur with a tale about Albarn and then-girlfriend Justine Frischmann’s drug addictions. Albarn said the title is a nonsense word he sang though some have suggested it’s a reference to “chasing the beetle,” a drug reference similar to “chasing the dragon.”
Blur not only shifted their sound away from Britpop, but Albarn began writing about his own life. He became a pop star writing outwardly about the daily lives of Britons. But on Blur, he wrote self-conscious confessionals. “Beetlebum” is a moment, caught inside the isolation and haze of drug culture.
Though “Beetlebum” is taken from Blur’s “American-ish indie” album, Albarn’s vocal melodies recall The Beatles. Midway through the live recording, Albarn forgets the lyrics, but the ruckus and joy of the band are felt as the singer shouts to the crowd.
“Tender”
Damon Albarn’s breakup with Elastica’s Justine Frischmann inspired much of Blur’s sixth album 13. “Tender” follows Albarn trying to overcome the painful separation, the lasting heartbreak. Guitarist Graham Coxon co-wrote the song and shares vocal duties, taking the lead during a chorus built for Wembley Stadium. A gospel choir supports the band over droning chords and Coxon’s stunning, angular guitar solo.
Frischmann told The Observer she cried when she first heard the song. Then she became embarrassed and angry. Some quick Britpop history: Frischmann co-founded Suede with Brett Anderson, whom she also dated. The success of Suede caused Albarn to refocus Blur—from Madchester to Cool Britannia. When Frischmann’s band Elastica achieved success in America, it caused a rift between her and Albarn. Their relationship wouldn’t survive the drugs, fame, and ambition.
That was all a long time ago. Blur sounds relaxed and inspired on the live recordings and “Tender” has always felt more like a hopeful hymn than a sad lament.
“Song 2”
Even people who don’t know Blur know “Song 2.” According to Coxon, the noisy track was meant to be a joke. Coxon plays a slacker riff, intending to sound like an amateur guitarist. But the record label loved it.
The song remained untitled, named after its spot on the album. Albarn’s original acoustic demo is slower, tamer, and features the singer whistling the woo-hoo chorus. The two-minute studio version became a global hit. One of Britpop’s essential bands achieved their greatest success in America by sounding … American.
Dave Rowntree begins the live version by looping the iconic beat. But Albarn becomes incensed at a tech who’s come on stage to adjust the camera attached to Alex James’ bass guitar. Albarn swears at the tech multiple times and directs him off the stage. After the tech exits, Albarn and the rest of Wembley become unhinged when the band kicks in with a riff reminiscent of Stephen Malkmus. “Song 2” remains infectiously perfect.
“Parklife”
“Parklife” is one of the defining anthems of Britpop. Viewed as a celebration of Englishness, Coxon said the song is sarcastic. Instead of writing a song about the working class, Blur documented the “park class.” Coxon told The Guardian it’s about “dustbin men, pigeons, joggers—things we saw every day on the way to the studio.”
Actor Phil Daniels recites the verses because Albarn struggled to “get into character.” The singsong chorus erupts into a generational anthem at Wembley. It’s reminiscent of the jubilation of a massive football (soccer) crowd.
Thirty-three years after Blur debuted with Leisure (1991), Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James, and Dave Rowntree sound like they’re having fun celebrating their past.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Photo by Daniel DeSlover/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.