The Battle will commence in February 2026 and tour around the UK at incredible venues such as Manchester’s Opera House and Edinburgh, Festival Theatre as Niven’s first stage play, directed by Matthew Dunster and co-presented by Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep.

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Niven has released a teaser to the show, exhibiting the hype surrounding the iconic feud between the two bands that has been long standing since their vast popularity in the 90s. The video shows notable British names such as Jake Wood who stars in British soap opera Eastenders, and comedy actor Matt Lucas, sharing which of the bands they rooted for at the time of the rivalry.   

 

 

 

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Oasis, consisting of brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, Chris Sharrock on drums and McGuigan playing bass, formed in Manchester and released well-loved songs by the likes of ‘Wonderwall’ from their second studio album ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ in 1995. 

Blur similarly released Britpop fun such as ‘Song 2’ from their self-titled album in 1997. Though, they were formed in London by vocalist Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. 

The two bands went head to head at several points in their career, releasing chart topping hits with Oasis’ debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’ and Blur’s debut ‘Parklife’. Both albums peaked at number one in the UK Album Charts within the same year.

The Battle, however, will centre around the famous chart battle in 1995 when Oasis and Blur went in competition for number one for their respective singles ‘Country House’ and ‘Roll With It’. 

The competition was one of the greatest, reported at the time by BBC News Reports and London Tonight.

With both Blur and Oasis releasing smash hits in Britpop and rock, they cultivated a similar fanbase who revelled in their feud. Their fans are long standing today with ‘Definitely Maybe’ re-emerging at number one in 2024, thirty years after its release. Similarly the bands’ conflict is regarded continuously as an exciting part of music history, with the two groups commenting on each other’s latest endeavours and fans posting clips of their favourite biting comments between the two groups. 

The Battle is anticipated by many, especially considering the Oasis reunion tour this July. Birmingham Rep and several other venues, describe the show as “a wickedly funny dive into one of the greatest rivalries in rock history,”. Tickets for its debut at Birmingham Rep can be found on their website with other dates and venues on Niven’s Instagram. 

First established in the United States in 2007 and brought to the UK in 2008, Record Store Day has become a key date in the music calendar. More than 270 independent record stores across the UK—from London’s iconic Rough Trade to specialty shops like Maidinvinyl in Aberdeen—will participate. A store locator tool is available on the event’s website to help attendees find local events.

At its core, the day revolves around exclusive releases that artists create specifically for the occasion. Last year’s releases came from a wide array of artists, including Kate Bush, who offered a 10-inch vinyl of ‘Eat the Music‘ as the UK ambassador. The Cure celebrated the 40th anniversary of ‘The Top’ with a picture disc. Other highlights included Pixies, The Flirtations, Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Young Fathers,  Soul Jazz Records, Paramore, and Sleater-Kinney, among others, with Rough Trade offering limited editions for albums like ‘This Is Why’ by Paramore.

Record stores will also host live music, DJ sets, and artist signings, making the day as much about the experience as the records themselves. Participating stores often feature performances from local bands, offering an additional layer of discovery for attendees.

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The event also underscores a broader trend: the resurgence of vinyl in the streaming age. In 2022, vinyl sales in the UK surpassed CDs for the first time in decades, and Record Store Day has been instrumental in this renaissance. It isn’t just a cultural celebration; it’s an economic lifeline for independent record shops. In 2024, the event drove vinyl to account for 37.2% of the UK albums market during its chart week, according to the ERA. Music consumption is at an all time high and limited-edition releases and increased foot traffic bring a vital boost to small retailers, while artists use the day to strengthen fan connections with exclusive offerings. As Drew Hill of Utopia Music puts it, vinyl is firmly “back at the heart” of music campaigns, benefiting both shops and musicians alike.

This year’s partners highlight the event’s growing cultural cachet. Collaborations include BBC Radio 6, long a champion of independent music; War Child, a nonprofit supporting children in conflict zones; and Studio by Miraval, who are home to recording studios where both Pink Floyd and the Cranberries have recorded albums in the past.

Whether you’re a lifelong vinyl collector, a casual music fan, or just curious about the charm of your local record shop, it’s a day to celebrate the tactile joys of music, from flipping through racks of vinyl to hearing the first crackle as the needle touches down on grooved PVC.

‘Whatever’ turns 30 tomorrow!
To celebrate, the official video has been upgraded to 4K with remastered audio and will premiere on YouTube at 10am GMT!
Be first to watch ithttps://t.co/mvBRXwobbS pic.twitter.com/QZXDnaW6tc

— Oasis (@oasis) December 18, 2024

The band, known for their anthemic songs, swaggering attitude, and sibling rivalry, became one of the most successful and influential bands of their era. Oasis’ influences include bands like The Beatles, The Stone Roses, and The Rolling Stones. Their rivalry with the Britpop band Blur, especially during the release of singles ‘Roll With It’ and Blur’s ‘Country House’, dominated media headlines and epitomized the Britpop phenomenon.

The song was written by Noel Gallagher, the band’s primary songwriter. The song is about freedom and individuality, encapsulated in the line, “I’m free to be whatever I, whatever I choose”. It is notable for its optimistic lyrics and orchestral arrangement, which was a departure from the band’s typical guitar-driven sound. However, a lawsuit arose over the chorus’ lyrics and melody similarity of ‘Whatever’ to Neil Innes’ song ‘How Sweet to Be an Idiot’. Noel Gallagher acknowledged the similarity, and Innes received a co-writing credit.It reached #3 on the UK Singles Chart and became one of Oasis’ most beloved tracks. Its release during the holiday season and its feel-good nature helped cement its reputation as one of Oasis’ enduring classics. Despite not being tied to an album, it has been included in Oasis compilations, such as: ‘Stop the Clocks’ (2006) and ‘Time Flies… 1994–2009’ (2010).

Oasis have officially announced their reunion and a global tour titled ‘Oasis Live ’25’, marking their first performances since disbanding in 2009. The band has scheduled multiple performances across the UK and Ireland for 2025:

• Cardiff, Wales: Principality Stadium (July 4 and 5, 2025)

• Manchester, England: Heaton Park (July 11, 12, 19, and 20, 2025)

• London, England: Wembley Stadium (July 25, 26, 30, August 2, 3, September 27, and 28, 2025)

• Edinburgh, Scotland: Murrayfield Stadium (August 8 and 9, 2025)

• Dublin, Ireland: Croke Park (August 16 and 17, 2025)

Tickets for the initial dates sold out rapidly, with additional dates added to meet the overwhelming demand. Aside from the UK and Ireland, Oasis have expanded their tour to include dates in North America, Australia, South America, and Asia, reflecting their global fanbase.

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James was referring to Blur’s 2023 reunion, which included two sold-out Wembley Stadium concerts and the release of their latest album, The Ballad of Darren. Despite initially planning a hiatus at the end of 2023, Blur extended their comeback to headline Coachella 2024 after reportedly making the decision in just five minutes. Their Wembley shows drew 150,000 fans, and was released as an album this summer, proving that Britpop’s legacy remains strong.

Moyles pressed James further, asking whether Blur’s success inspired Liam and Noel Gallagher to reunite. James responded diplomatically, noting the difficulty of maintaining relationships in bands, especially between siblings. “I’m always reading statistics about how many marriages end in divorce… They’re brothers as well. I’m genuinely delighted for them, and I genuinely won’t be going.”  

James’ comments come against the backdrop of Blur and Oasis’ definitive rivalry, which peaked in 1995 when Blur’s ‘Country House’ and Oasis’ ‘Roll With It’ famously went head-to-head for the number-one spot on the UK charts. Oasis mocked Blur’s victory at the time, but decades later, the relationship between the bands appears to have mellowed. Liam Gallagher even tweeted in October 2024, “I love Blur and at some point we need to do an old dears tour.”

I love blur and at sone point we have to do n old dears tours — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) October 4, 2024

Blur drummer Dave Rowntree seems to echo this newfound camaraderie. Speaking after his defeat in the 2024 General Election, where he ran as Labour’s candidate for Mid Sussex, Rowntree said he’d be first in line for Oasis tickets. Guitarist Graham Coxon, in an interview with The Sun, praised the reunion, calling it “good for them and good for fans.”

Damon Albarn, Blur’s frontman, has remained silent on the topic since Oasis announced their tour. However, in summer 2023, he confidently predicted the reunion, saying the path for it was clear. 

Oasis’ reunion, announced in August 2024, has generated massive demand. Tickets for their 14-date tour sold out almost instantly, though controversy erupted over Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing, with some fans paying as much as £350 per ticket. Labour MP Rupa Huq has brought the issue to Parliament, with the second hearing of a proposed bill addressing ticket pricing set for tomorrow.

Hot off the press!

Due for debate this Friday

A Bill to make provision about transparency of ticket prices for sporting and cultural events; and for connected purposes.https://t.co/AlBGXyl9n2 pic.twitter.com/BRVAULv5fn

— Rupa Huq MP (@RupaHuq) December 4, 2024

Blur and Oasis both capitalised on nostalgia as a driving force behind their comebacks. With streaming revenue dwindling in the music industry, reunions offer bands a lucrative alternative to releasing new music. Reports suggest that the Gallaghers could earn over £50 million each from the tour, which is expected to gross £400 million.

For fans, these reunions offer a chance to relive the 1990s—a golden age defined by the rise of Britpop. As Blur’s Wembley success proved, audiences are still eager to connect with the music that shaped a generation. And with Oasis’ last performance dating back 15 years, the reunion opens the door for a new generation of fans to experience their music live.

While James’ “genuinely won’t be going” remark hints that not all rivalries are fully buried, the Oasis reunion represents a moment of celebration for fans and a symbolic end to one of Britpop’s fiercest feuds.

Last week’s election was a historic one ending 14 years of Conservative party rule with a Labour victory with the party securing over 410 Parliamentary seats however unluckily for some Labour candidates in certain constituencies failed to gain seats like Blur’s Dave Rowntree. The Mid Sussex seat was awarded to the Liberal Democrat candidate Alison Elizabeth Bennett’s who managed to snatch up 39% of the vote share. The Mid Sussex district is a solid conservative area so despite the surprising Lib-Dem win, Rowntree only gained 17% of the vote coming in third behind the Conservatives. This is the first time the Tory party have been unseated since the constituency’s establishment in 1974.

The Mid Sussex constituency includes the town’s Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and the Mid Sussex villages. Rowntree has been operating in the political sphere for some time now winning his first local election in 2017 which granted him a seat on Norwich County Council however Labour selected him to run for a more senior role this year as MP for Mid Sussex.

According to an article by Pitchfork, Rowntree announced his entering into the race in a statement where he stated that ‘Residents have their best chance in a generation to make their vote count and return a Labour MP to parliament. The Tories have run out of ideas, and the Lib Dems have run out of steam. I’m running for parliament to provide the energy and vision the area so desperately needs’.

After the polls were counted on Friday morning, Rowntree took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to congratulate his fellow party members who obtained parliamentary seats and also to thank the residents who voted for him.

Thank you so much to my campaign team and the 9397 people who voted for me in Mid Sussex!
It was a privilege to be a small part of such a momentous day, and I’m immenseley proud of my @UKLabour friends who are now Members of Parliament.
Onwards and upwards!#Win24 pic.twitter.com/5EV3HaxLAF

— Dave Rowntree (@DaveRowntree) July 6, 2024

Rowntree took part in Blur’s reunion as the group rebounded after an 8 year hiatus to play a round of shows across the world which they wrapped up last December in North America. the reformation of the hit 90s brit-pop band saw the creation of their 9th studio album The Ballad of Darren in 2023 as well as their anticipated Live at Wembley album which hits the shelves on the 26th of July as well as their concert film which you can catch in cinemas on September 6th. You can read about the upcoming concert film and live album as well as the band’s upcoming documentary film Blur: To the End here.

The London band had previously promised via Radio X that they would bring out a special guest for their performance at Worthy Farm who had appeared on their album ‘My Big Day’. Then X account @secretglasto hinted at who the mystery guest was going to be saying that the guest “could make Bombay Bicycle Club’s set go by in a Blur.”

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Albarn thanked Jack Steadman of Bombay Bicycle Club’s Jack Steadman and then and then took to the stage and addressed the crowd on “three things” that “You have to show me how you feel about it,” which he said during the performance of ‘Tender’. He then attempted to encourage the Glastonbury crowd to vote in the coming UK general election which looks like it is going to be an overwhelming victory for Labour over the conservatives.

He addressed the crowd on how they felt about Palestine. “Are you pro-Palestine? Do you feel that’s an unfair war?”

He then continued, telling fans they need to vote. “The importance of voting next week. Now I don’t blame you for being ambivalent about that, but it’s still really important.”

Before saying “And thirdly, maybe it’s time we stop putting octogenarians in control of the whole world” probably in reference to the USA election which will see voters choosing between 81-year-old Joe Biden and 78-year-old Donald Trump. The two engaged in a debate on the 27th of June.

Speaking to Sky News Bombay Bicycle Club said that they “were never expecting to have him on the record or to be playing a show with him, but… we just kind of asked, and he was really up for it. You don’t ask, you don’t get.”

The first day of Glastonbury also saw a secret DJ set played by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker in the early hours of Saturday Morning. This came after Kevin Parker appeared alongside Dua Lipa on her headline set of the Pyramid stage on Friday (June 28). The two had previously collaborated on Dua Lipa’s last album ‘Radical Optimism’ and they paired up for a performance on Tame Impala’s huge psychedelic hit ‘The Less I Know The Better’.

As well as this, elsewhere in Worthy farm on the first day of the festival Paul Heaton and Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) paired up for a Housemartins reunion where they performed their 1986 hit ‘Happy Hour’ on the Pyramid stage. IDLES also brought out Danny Brown as a special guest during their closing set on the Other stage where the rapper joined the Bristol band for a performance of the band’s song ‘Pop Pop Pop’.

The creators of one of the defining records of Britpop, ‘Parklife’, formed in London in 1988 originally under the name Seymour. They released their ninth studio album, The Ballad Of Darren, in 2023 and it was written by frontman, Damon Albarn, while he was touring with Gorilla in 2022. Before embarking on their two night sold out at Wembley that would become the live album and concert film, Albarn sat down with Consequence to talk about the album. He notes that he “wrote it in [his] downtime in hotel rooms in America…But it became Blur with the four of us.” The band announced yesterday via social media that the live album would be released on the 26th of July along with footage from the show which you can see below.

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The band described recording the album as ‘utter joy’ and according to NME, during one of the shows at Wembley last year, “At one point, [frontman Damon] Albarn turns to us and says, “You’re properly mad, you lot, for sticking with us for so long.”

During the gig, Frontman Albran stated that the band had been ‘waiting all their lives for this,’ so what better way to commemorate the moment, than to capture it in its entirety on film so it can be relived for years to come, especially since it was announced in December that the group would be disbanding again after their reconciliation for their latest album.

Alongside the live album release and upcoming concert film, Blur will also release their documentary ‘To The End’. The previously announced feature length film details the band’s reunion and will hit the big screens on the 19th of July, just a week before the live album will be available to stream and buy. The film’s name is taken from the 1994 song To The End which debuted as a single following the release of what is arguably Blur’s most iconic album, ‘Parklife’. However, fans are understandably suspicious of the name choice, anticipating that, though the group have dissolved and reformed a number of times, this will be the final time they will see them united. According to Far Out Magazine Albran spoke to French magazine Les Inrockuptible in December of last year, noting that “It is time to wrap up this campaign [Blur]. It’s too much for me…I’m not saying I won’t do it again, it was a beautiful success, but I’m not dwelling on the past,”.

The album will hit steaming sites on the 26th of July and you can also pre-order a physical CD or vinyl variants of the live album from the link here, while the concert film will land in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on Friday, 6 September so fans will have to wait a little while longer. You can watch the full teaser trailer for the ‘Live at Wembley Stadium’ below.

The sale of 5.9 million units this year is the highest amount of vinyl records sold in a single year in the UK since 1990. This past week, with the aid of Christmas sales, set yet another record with 250,000 records being sold in the UK, the highest amount for any week since the start of the 21st century.

The immense popularity of vinyl sales this year can positively be attributed to a number of artists, not least American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who has a staggering three albums in the top 10 biggest-selling records this year. Swift, unsurprisingly then perhaps, also claimed the honour of being the artist behind the year’s best-selling album. Her LP 1989 (Taylor’s Version), a re-recording of Swift’s fifth album, 1989, originally released in 2014, sold 78,767 units. The other Swift albums that made the top 10 list include the other album she re-recorded this year, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), and her latest original studio LP Midnights.

The Rolling Stones album Hackney Diamonds, released in October this year, came second in the top 10 list and is followed closely by Lana Del Rey’s Did You Know There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. Other albums to feature in the list include Blur’s latest LP The Ballad of Darren, Fleetwood Mac classic Rumours, Pink Floyd’s iconic The Dark Side of the Moon, and Lewis Capaldi’s Broken by Desire to be Heavenly Sent.

Commenting on the recent surge in popularity of vinyl records, BPI chief executive Dr Jo Twist OBE said, “Led by vinyl, the resurgence of physical product underlines the resilience of the UK music market at a time when streaming consumption continues to hit record levels.

She continued, “Whilst LP sales have now been on an upward path for the past 16 years, it is encouraging to see a stabilisation in demand for CD, as well as new generations of music fans falling in love with the cassette. It is giving people more choice than ever in how they enjoy their favourite music.”

The resurgence in popularity of the vinyl record is a trend not likely to slow down anytime soon, despite streaming services dominating the airwaves. The pleasure of physically owning an LP and adding it to a colourful and diverse collection are among the reasons for buying records, as American anti-folk singer-songwriter Jeffrey Lewis eloquently illustrates in his 2019 single ‘LPs‘. Watch the music video below:

Oasis, one of the most successful British bands of all time, performed at Moles early in their career, and the venue is often credited as being instrumental in their rise to fame. Similarly, Ed Sheeran, who has become a global superstar, also graced the stage at Moles in his early days.

 Oasis                                                                                                      Ed Sheeran

The impact of Moles extends beyond just launching successful acts. Manic Street Preachers, a Welsh rock band, secured a record deal after their performance at the venue. Supergrass, another popular British band, even used Moles’ dressing room for the cover shoot of their debut album, highlighting the venue’s significance in the music industry.

Manic Street Preachers                                                                 Supergrass

The closure of Moles is a devastating blow to the local music community. The owners’ decision to file for insolvency reflects the harsh reality of the financial challenges faced by grassroots venues. The rising cost of living and increasing bills have made it increasingly difficult for small venues like Moles to stay afloat.

Co-owner Tom Maddicot’s statement about the economic viability of grassroots live music is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by these venues. Without adequate support and a sustainable financial model, more small venues may face a similar fate. Tom said “Making the decision to close Moles was horrendous, but the reality is that live music at grassroots level is no longer economically viable.”

Moles’ rich history and contribution to the music scene in Bath cannot be understated. From hosting early performances by iconic bands like Blur, The Cure, and The Smiths, to providing a platform for up-and-coming artists, the venue has left an indelible mark on the industry.

As the doors of Moles close for the final time, the music community mourns the loss of a beloved institution. The memories and impact of this iconic venue will live on, but its closure serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by grassroots music venues in an increasingly challenging economic climate.

Recently, Moles hosted Slowthai, and the fast-rising indie band The Last Dinner Party. Unfortunately, the closure of Moles adds to the growing number of losses in the UK’s live music circuit.

Mark Davyd, the CEO of the Music Venue Trust, believes that the closure of Moles reflects a larger failure by the music industry and the government to invest in venues that support emerging artists.  The Music Venue Trust is looking to France as an example, where the government has implemented a ticket levy on arena shows to provide financial support to smaller venues and up-and-coming artists. Davyd has reached out to the UK government and opposition parties, urging them to take action and support the grassroots live sector. He said “Unless it gets serious about its responsibilities to encourage, nurture and develop the grassroots live sector, the music industry as a whole will face a catastrophic failure of artist development,”

At a recent show at London’s Eventim Apollo, Hook invited a very special guest to join him in an exclusive performance. Damon Albarn, frontman of iconic Britpop band Blur and virtual band Gorillaz, joined Hook on stage to perform Gorillaz tune “Aries”. The song, which featured Hook, was released in 2020 as the third single from the album Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez.

“Not long ago, I was honoured to be asked by a wonderful, very kind gentleman if I’d play with him,” Hook told the crowd on Saturday evening (October 14). “And this track is what we did, innit, Damon?”

According to setlist.fm, the performance marked the first time Hook and Albarn have played “Aries” in front of a live audience, and saw Albarn take on guitar and vocal duties for the special appearance. It’s safe to say fans were not disappointed by the iconic collaboration.

A few pictures of @peterhook last night at the @EventimApollo. Fantastic night, almost 3 hours of pure joy. Really enjoyed the support from @RebelskiMusic. Damon Albarn also made an appearance. pic.twitter.com/nbNTFda319

— britpop4ever (@DavidW010512) October 15, 2023

So tonight I saw @peterhook and The Light (with a surprise guest appearance from Damon Albarn!!!).
I was at the barrier and I could not stop smiling. Just non stop euphoria! The crowd were fantastic pic.twitter.com/9b7ir3Asd7

— Will (@WilliamD1123) October 14, 2023

Great to see @peterhook last night at the Apollo, best of both worlds Joy Division New Order

And to top it off Damon Albarn makes an appearance aswell, I’ve had worse Saturdays pic.twitter.com/JaJI7KFtoz

— Alex Murphy (@AlexMurphy_92) October 15, 2023

Hook’s show at the Eventim Apollo last weekend marked his final UK performance of 2023, however, starting on November 13th, his solo project Peter Hook & The Light will continue to tour Europe. The solo project of the legendary British bassist will also return to touring the UK in 2024. You can find tickets to the remaining dates of the tour here.

As for Damon Albarn, the singer has been on the road with his band Blur during the summer, promoting the release of the quartet’s latest studio album The Ballad Of Darren, which dropped on July 21st. The tour included two monumental shows at London’s Wembley Stadium, as well as an intimate show in Hammersmith where the band debuted songs from the new LP alongside fan favourites such as “The Universal”.