Damon Albarn has claimed that “Oasis have done a very good job of making Britpop feel like it’s the biggest thing on Earth”.
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The Blur and Gorillaz frontman appeared in a video interview with Mexican publication Sopitas, where he reflected on the spectacle of Britpop and how it continues to penetrate pop culture to this day.
Blur and Oasis were famously engaged in the “Battle Of Britpop” – a chart battle on 14 August 1995 where the two bands went head-to-head by releasing singles on the same day. Blur would drop ‘Country House’ from ‘The Great Escape’, while Oasis released ‘Roll With It’ from their seminal record ‘What’s The Story (Morning Glory)’. It has remained so infamous that last year it was revealed that a West End play based on the turbulent time was on the way.
Both bands have since become huge household names, with Oasis currently on their comeback reunion tour and Blur staging their own comeback shows and releasing new album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ in 2023.
Now, Albarn has spoken out about that period of time, telling Sopitas: “Oasis have done a very good job of making Britpop feel like it’s the biggest thing on Earth.
“I don’t know how they do it myself, how they keep doing it. They just hold on to that thing, but they do it very well.” Watch the moment below:
Albarn has previously spoken about the Battle Of Britpop, revealing he was “happy to concede defeat” in the legendary rivalry this summer.
“Well, it was obvious, wasn’t it?” Albarn said. “I think we can officially say that Oasis won the battle, the war, the campaign, everything.”
He also called himself “prophetic” in predicting the eventual Oasis reunion, which he claimed would happen back in 2023.
“Well, you can’t think that two brothers can’t reconcile, sooner or later. It’s a good thing, the way I see it,” he explained.
However, Albarn said he wouldn’t be attending any of the Oasis shows due to his busy schedule.
Meanwhile, Gorillaz have just announced their ninth studio album ‘The Mountain’, which is set for release March 20, 2026. It will be shared via the band’s new label KONG – pre-order it here.
The record was debuted in a secret show during the final of four gigs at London’s Copper Box Arena last month. Fans attending the show weren’t allowed access to their mobile phones, but many took to social media afterwards to share details of the album and the multitude of special guests included on it.
Black Thought, Omar Souleyman, Asha Puthli, Asha Bhosle, Sparks, Gruff Rhys, Kara Jackson, Yasiin Bey, Paul Simonon, IDLES‘ Joe Talbot, Johnny Marr, Ajay Prasanna, Trueno and Anoushka Shankar are among the many guests set to feature on ‘The Mountain’.
Gorillaz will then tour the UK and Ireland in March 2026 in support of the album – see all dates below and get your tickets here:
Gorillaz’ ‘The Mountain Tour’ dates are:
MARCH
21 – Co-op Live, Manchester
22 – BP Pulse Live, Birmingham
24 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow (support from Trueno)
25 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
27 – Utilitia Arena, Cardiff (support from Trueno)
28 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham (support from Trueno)
29 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool (support from Trueno)
31 – SSE Arena, Belfast
APRIL
-1 – 3Arena, Dublin (support from Trueno)
JUNE
20 – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London (support from Sparks and Trueno)
Elsewhere, Oasis have hinted that there may be more concerts on the way. Liam Gallagher memorably teased more to come at their final Wembley gig, announcing: “‘Champagne Supernova’, see you next year”, and jokingly slapping himself on the wrist for letting the secret slip.
Gallagher went on to claim that “it’s not even half time yet”, potentially suggesting there may be a second half to the reunion tour soon to come.
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