In a recent interview with NME, James has spoken about his upcoming tour where he will be performing Blur's iconic tunes along with other hits from the iconic Britpop era. The bassist announced the tour at the end of last year after premiering the show at a festival last summer.
James plans to bring back the biggest hits of the Britpop era with a full orchestra accompanying him. The group will perform songs by Oasis, Blur, Pulp and Supergrass.
It has been reported that Phil Daniels, Saffron of Republica and Gary Stringer of Reef will join him for the tour, with more special guests to be announced.
James debuted the show last year at the 'Big Festival', speaking of the event he said: “We’ve done one show, which exceeded all expectations, the phone was literally ringing from Live Nation the next day asking if we wanted to take it on the road."
“We’ve got some brilliant special guests and I think it’s going to go next level. I’m really looking forward to a springtime jaunt around the UK," he continued.
The tour kicked off last night in the Royal Albert Hall in London and they will be in the Symphony Hall in Birmingham tonight. Tickets are available here.
In an interview last year, James explained that the Britpop era songs "mean more to people now than they did when they came out. They’ve matured like fine wine."
“Singing any of them in the shower would give you goosebumps, even just singing them with an acoustic guitar is probably enough to make you cry, so when you add all the majesty and and might of a symphony orchestra and a chorus of singers and the special guests, it’s overwhelming," he continued.
James confirmed that all the members of Blur are invited to join him for the tour, he said: “They’re all invited to everything I do. We’re quite good at inviting each other. Dave and Graham were both at Feastival. I went to see the new Gorillaz show before Christmas, it was great. Come on down, boys! I can’t wait to see you.”
See full list of dates here.
MARCH
11 – Royal Albert Hall, London
12 – Symphony Hall, Birmingham
14 – O2 Apollo, Manchester
15 – Brighton Centre, Brighton
17 – Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
18 – O2 City Hall, Newcastle
19 – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
21 – Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield
JUNE
13 – Guildhall Square, Southampton
18 – Lincoln Castle, Lincoln
28 – Llangollen Pavilion, Llangollen
JULY
17 – Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Scarborough
19 – The Piece Hall, Halifax
24 – Dreamland, Margate
26 – Latitude Festival
