Although it was a thought that was not too distant from our minds, Damon Albarn reminded us early in the set that it’s been 18 years since the iconic band Blur has played in Australia. Could the band return to our shores in triumphant Brit-pop glory? Lachlan Mitchell brings us this review…
Off the back of his third studio album, Jamie T was a complementary support for the night. He favoured a raucous and blazing 45 minute set over dialogue with the audience. Notorious for his battles with anxiety and reclusion away from the live circuit in recent years, Jamie T had the audience swooning and rocking out during older favourites “Operation” and “If You Got The Money” that featured a welcomed injection of depth and attitude with a 4 piece backing band. Closing with “Zombie”, Jamie T was sure to get the audience moving, sweaty and entertained well-before Blur were due to hit the stage.
Soon enough, the lights dimmed and chimed tunes from an ice-cream van were played throughout the venue. A torch light on the side of the stage signaled the band were due any second. Met with cheers, the house lights lit up the crowd showing 18 years of built up anticipation finally being released by the Sydney crowd.
“Good evening”, Damon Albarn slyly said as he leaned into the microphone after a walk to the edge of the stage. After a barefooted Alex James picked up his bass, the group launched into "Go Out" from their recent album, The Magic Whip. A revolving mix of four backup singers and a brass section throughout the night excited both the audience and Albarn as he ran around showing a smile and appreciation to the added complexity and sound that they were providing.
By the 5th song of the night - “Ghost Ship”, it was clear Albarn was unable to stay out of the crowd. Frequently venturing off stage and running the lengths of the front barricade, as well as standing on it, he fed off the energy the Sydney crowd was giving him.
“Fucking awful jetlag, but it doesn’t matter” Albarn gleefully proclaimed under a brilliant light show, just before Graham Coxons ode to alcoholism Coffee & TV played out. It was one of the many highlights of a night that featured a set heavy on the past. "Out Of Time", "Beeltebum", "Trimm Trabb" and sing-a-long anthem "Tender" sandwiched new track "Thought I Was a Spaceman". Here, an empty and echoing track saw the first use of the three mirror balls that had hung unused behind the band. Thousands of reflections transformed the dark audience into a galaxy of stars as Albarn slowly crooned about self-discovery in barren, unfamiliar environments.
Dave Rowntrees familiar minute-long drum line soon developed into the mega-hit "Song 2". Graham Coxon took his time getting a drink and looking around the crowd before placing his hands on the guitar to finally strum the iconic chords. Raging strobe lights complemented the furious jumping and flailing of the entire crowd as Albarn soared around the stage, performing the song like it was still fun for him; and that was the mood one could take from the whole night.
The band did not appear to be running the motions of a too well-rehearsed show for the sake of doing so, but instead because they truly enjoyed. An encore of decades-old favourites "Stereotypes", "Girls & Boys", "For Tomorrow" and "The Universal" saw Coxon and James frequently share smiles with Albarn who didn’t stand still once the entire evening. Even after two hours, the band seemed to only leave the stage due to the 11pm curfew. They could have kept on conquering for hours longer...
Check out Blur at their final Aussie shows in Melbourne this Tuesday and Perth this Thursday. Tickets available from:http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=BLUR15
Photo by Johnny Au
