Blur’s bassist Alex James says that the group should reunite next year to help inaugurate a rumoured Britpop inspired exhibition.
The possible Britpop event would take place in the group’s home town of Colchester, Essex. The last time Blur performed in the UK was August 2012.
Singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon and drummer Dave Rowntree all hail from Colchester, while James was born in Bournemouth.
The bassist has given his blessing to a campaign to convert a local Firstsite contemporary art gallery into a Blur themed museum. The exhibition would also commemorate the 1995 battle (which Blur won) for the number 1 spot between Blur’s ‘Country House’ and Oasis’ ‘Roll With It’.
In a Radio interview, Alex James said, “I’m the only non-Colchester person in Blur but I do feel like it’s my second home. If that’s what Colchester feels it needs, that would be lovely. It would be better to get Blur together and playing there.”
The 20 year anniversary exhibition is being spearheaded by Darius Laws, who is trying to get the project started. Lewis says he wants to relaunch the gallery “with a bang” when it reopens next year. The gallery first opened its doors in 2011 but will close temporarily for refurbishment in January.
Laws said, “The height of Britpop was in 1995 when Oasis and Blur famously battled it out for the top spot on the Singles Chart. The unique opportunity here is that Blur were formed by three Colcestrians and now we have an arts space with the capacity to host an exhibition dedicated to Blur right here in Colchester.”
I don’t think anyone will be complaining about a Blur reunion, let’s hope that it is more than just one show.
Listen to the Alex James radio interview below.
