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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Blur (@blurofficial)

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.

Justin Hawkins, his brother Dan Hawkins, eccentric bassist Frankie Poullain, and new drummer Rufus Taylor tell their story, in their own words of The Darkness comeback tale.

Set to hit cinemas on November 9, Welcome To The Darkness will be showcased for a limited engagement, with the possibility of encores due to the overwhelming demand. This exclusive opportunity allows fans to immerse themselves in the world of The Darkness and witness their remarkable comeback after a nine-year hiatus.

Emmett’s documentary skillfully captures the taxing and comical path that The Darkness embarked upon to reclaim their former fame. From their humble beginnings in a remote pub performance, the film follows the band’s relentless pursuit of their ambitious goal to once again captivate packed arenas. Audiences will be taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as they witness the band’s struggles, triumphs, and everything in between.

Frontman Justin Hawkins talks about his vision for the band in a clip for the film.

Welcome To The Darkness offers an unfiltered glimpse into the inner workings of a revered “cult band” as they navigate the challenges of the music industry and strive to revive glory days. With unprecedented access to the band members and their personal lives, this documentary promises to be an intimate and revealing portrait of The Darkness.

Prior to the documentary’s premiere, a highly anticipated Permission To Land deluxe album release is scheduled for October 6, distributed by Warner Music. This exceptional release encompasses a comprehensive collection, available in various formats including a five-LP package, a four-CD+DVD package, and a double-CD package.

Furthermore, the album will be accessible on all major digital streaming platforms, allowing listeners to experience its entirety in all its magnificence. This album notably includes their most renowned single, ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love‘.

In December, the band will wrap up their musical pursuits with a sold-out tour throughout the United Kingdom, signifying a triumphant end to their year.

UK and Ireland Tour Dates

THE DARKER THE SHADOW THE BRIGHTER THE LIGHT
The new album from The Streets, coming October 20th 2023. Pre-order on the official store now at https://t.co/nBsf7EFFA4 for first access to pre-sale tickets for October & November 2023 tour dates. pic.twitter.com/w3CAOuLlLj

— Mike Skinner (@mikeskinnerltd) July 12, 2023

Skinner also announced a UK tour that will support the release of both the film and the album. It is set to begin on October 26th in Nottingham and will conclude in London on November 16th and provides an ample opportunity for fans to see The Streets perform live.

Oct and Nov 2023 Tour
Pre-order the new album The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light on the official store before 5pm BST on Tues 18th July for first access to presale. https://t.co/nBsf7EFFA4
Presale begins Wed 19th July @ 9am BST. Tickets on general sale Fri 21 @ 9am BST pic.twitter.com/ituRj0VnKm

— Mike Skinner (@mikeskinnerltd) July 12, 2023

Talking about the upcoming album and film projects, Skinner has said, “It has been seven long years working on this film and album. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and after dipping my toe in with some shorts and music videos, I felt I was ready. I tried to go the traditional route for a bit, but it’s always served me better to follow my instincts and just get on with it myself, so I’ve directed it, acted in it, edited, sound mixed, funded, produced it all as well as written it.

He continued, “The album doesn’t exist without it. Ultimately it’s all the fruits of a decade on the DJ circuit, watching people in clubs and back rooms, testing out beats and basslines to see what connected – and putting it all together into The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light.”

Watch the music video for “Troubled Waters“, a single from the new album, below:

Formed as a musical project by Mike Skinner in 1994, The Streets have become a household name in the UK grime, garage and hiphop scene. The project’s seminal debut album, Original Pirate Material, was released in 2002 to widespread critical acclaim, reaching number 10 in the UK Albums Chart, and its successor, A Grand Don’t Come For Free (2004), enjoyed an even higher level of popularity, topping the UK Albums Chart in doing so.

Watch the music video for “Has It Come To This?“, a hit single from Original Pirate Material, below:

A further three albums, The Hardest Way To Make A Living (2006), Everything Is Borrowed (2008) and Computers And Blues (2011), have been released, meaning The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light will be The Street’s sixth studio album.

See below for tour dates:

26/10/2023 – Rock City – Nottingham
27/10 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
28/10 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
2/11 -O2 Academy – Glasgow
3/11 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
4/11 – O2 Academy – Leeds
9/11 – The Mountford Hall – Liverpool
10/11 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
13/11 – The Nick Rayns LCR – Norwich
14/11 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth
16/11 – Alexandra Palace – London

Pre-order The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light here for exclusive first access to pre-sale tour tickets.