Blur’s Alex James says he “genuinely won’t be going” to see Oasis
Alex James of Blur has said he “genuinely won’t be going” to see the upcoming Oasis 2025 reunion tour.
- READ MORE: Graham Coxon on the return of Blur: “We can’t leave it too long because we’re knocking on!”
Earlier this week, James was asked about Oasis’ highly-anticipated, sold-out reunion tour, which includes multiple stops at Wembley Stadium, a venue where Blur have performed multiple times.
Speaking to The Observer, the bassist said he was “delighted” for his former Britpop rivals, adding: “And it’s nice that they waited till we got our shit out the way, you know? That’s very good manners.”
His comments followed Blur wrapped up the tour supporting their ninth studio album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ in late November 2023, which preceded a prominent slot at Coachella 2024.
This morning (December 4), James spoke further about the reunion on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X.
When asked by Moyles if he had secured tickets yet, James echoed his earlier comments, saying: “I am not sure that I will be going. Look, it was very good manners that they waited until we got all our junk out the way.”
Moyles then asked if James thinks Blur’s recent reunion inspired Liam and Noel Gallagher to get back together, to which he responded: “Well, it’s just that I’m always reading terrible statistics about marriages ending in divorce. The statistics for bands ending in it and just everyone hating each other – it’s hard to think of a band that doesn’t.”
He went on to say: “And they’re brothers as well, you know? I genuinely am delighted, and genuinely won’t be going.”
James’ bandmate Graham Coxon also commented on the return of Oasis in October, saying the tour is “good for them and it’s good for the fans”. And, in 2023, Damon Albarn “put money” on the chances of an Oasis reunion.
The two groups went head-to-head in a legendary rivalry that ran throughout the height of Britpop in the 1990s. In September, it was revealed that a West End play based on the tense and tumultuous period will debut next year.
Following a string of huge gigs in the UK and Ireland in July 2025, Oasis are due to head to North America before returning for two extra dates at London’s Wembley Stadium in late September, and then to Australia in October.
They will also perform at the Goyang Stadium in South Korea on 21 October 2025, followed by two shows in Japan at the Tokyo Dome on October 25 and 26.
Following the revelation that they’d be returning, Oasis ruled out a headline performance at Glastonbury 2025 and said they won’t be appearing at any other festivals next summer. Liam and Noel have shot down rumours of a return to Knebworth in 2026 too.
In other news, last month Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie took a swipe at James in an essay accompanying the band’s latest album ‘Come Ahead’, accusing James of “social climbing”.
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Laura Molloy
NME
