Damon Albarn has happily conceded defeat in the great battle between Oasis and Blur amid the Gallagher brothers’ massive reunion.
- READ MORE: Blur and Oasis’ big Britpop chart battle – the definitive story of what really happened
The two groups went head-to-head in a legendary rivalry that ran throughout the height of Britpop in the 1990s, and has remained so infamous that last year it was revealed that a West End play based on the turbulent time was on the way.
The announcement of the theatre production came on the heels of both bands dominating headlines in 2024, with Blur sharing To The End – a documentary that followed their reunion and 2023 comeback album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ – as well as their huge shows at London’s Wembley Stadium last summer.
Oasis, meanwhile, shocked fans by announcing their long-awaited reconciliation and subsequent 2025 reunion tour dates, with Albarn telling The Sun his two-night stint at Wembley “will be dwarfed by their seven” in a new interview.
Blur might’ve won the 1995 chart battle, but Albarn reckons the Gallagher brothers won the 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.”
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The Gorillaz artist 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.”
The Oasis Live ‘25 reunion tour kicked off with two triumphant shows at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium last weekend, and tonight (July 11), it rolls into Heaton Park in north Manchester for the first of five huge outdoor shows, and the first Oasis show in their hometown since 2009.
Fans have been queuing at the gates of the park since the early hours, with some of the earliest arrivals having flown in from Australia and South Korea just to be present for the historic show.
Earlier today, a giant drone display showing the Oasis logo appeared in the skies above Heaton Park, just as it had done in Cardiff last week.
As with the previous shows, the Manchester venue should continue to have food and drinks vendors serve until 11pm, and guests can arrive whenever, but will not be permitted to leave and re-enter once they’re inside. Cast will take the stage at 6pm, with Richard Ashcroft following at 7pm and Oasis kicking off at 8:15pm.
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Those taking the tram to the gig will likely hear Liam Gallagher’s voice announcing the stops on the Metrolink. “The next stop is….Heaton Parrrk,” he’ll announce, before pausing and adding, “Off you go.”
After their five shows in Manchester, the Britpop icons will play seven nights at London’s Wembley Stadium, as well as stops in both Edinburgh and Dublin. Later on the Oasis Live ’25 trek, they’ll head to North America, South America, Australia, South Korea and Japan.
At the first of the 41 comeback shows, NME gave the historic night the full five stars. “After a ‘90s heyday and an often maligned post-millennium era, this is Oasis redesigned for the 21st Century,” the review read.
“Playing before a pop-art-meets-psychedelia visual spectacular that never distracts but will look sick on a phone, they seem the quintessential stadium band playing the greatest hits of greatest hits.”
The post Damon Albarn “happy to concede defeat” in legendary Britpop rivalry: “Oasis won the battle, the war, the campaign, everything” appeared first on NME.