My missus just got back from the dress-rehersal of the Olympic opening ceremony. She didn't really tell me what she saw, everyone is in the spirit and keeping tight-lipped.
But she did tell me a little about what she heard. There was conspicuoucly no Oasis or Radiohead, or Pulp. A mere smattering of Blur's Song Two to represent a whole peroid that was - after all - milked for all its political capital.
There were place holders in the run-through, to 'save the surprise'.
Well, the other two are pretty major international exports, but Common People wouldn't be too out of place (even if the band were nowhere near).
Radiohead are hardly likely to lower themselves to this. Personally, an appearance by Oasis seems more likely, despite the split.
Or perhaps the Spice Girls...
Apparently it was Bowie heavy. It would be amazing if he appeared to provide a lyric or two. Has he performed since the heart attack?
Anyway, just thought I'd share that second-hand spoiler. Not that I've said anything that wasn't in the media already! It's the finale that is still unknown - they didn't run through that.
-- Edited by superchob on Tuesday 24th of July 2012 08:48:02 PM
When did he slag them off? I know he said it was easier working with Graham than Dave and Alex - due to Graham still being a working musician, but more than that I've not read.
Anyway, they're doing a few warm up gigs and then doing Hyde Park. As well as releasing their fantastic new Double A Side on which there, surely, has to be at least one song that people will like!
Manics turned down the Olympics (being sport related) but happily appeared on Strictly Come Dancing (Bruce Forsyth related). Hmm...seems an odd case of double standards!
The Manics on 'hiatus' seem to do more gigs than some bands do at their peak!
LIVE DATES: 15 April COPENHAGEN, Amager Bio - Tickets 16 April HAMBURG, Markthalle - Tickets 18 April THE HAGUE, Paard van Troje - Tickets 19 April AMSTERDAM, Paradiso - Tickets 21 April ANTWERP, Trix - Tickets 22 April COLOGNE, E-Werk - Tickets 24 April BERLIN, Huxleys - Tickets 25 April PRAGUE, Lucerna - Tickets 27 April MUNICH, Theaterfabrik - Tickets 28 April VIENNA, Arena - Tickets 30 April ZURICH, X-tra - Tickets 2 May BARCELONA, Razzmatazz - Tickets 17 May TOKYO, Studio Coast - Tickets onsale 10 March 18 May TOKYO, Studio Coast - Tickets onsale 10 March
Orbit is a bit of an idiot. Re-phrase that, a MASSIVE idiot. He's tweeted rubbish about Blur and more specifically Damon ever since they stopped working with him, and the new single (if you've heard it of course, I'm a bit of a Blur fan as well as Pulp) I believe sounds much better than this below, which is the William Orbit version.
To me it sounds like they just wanted a new sound, and Graham has come out since and reiterated that. I don't blame them really, the WO version is auto-tuned to buggery.
I think the band comments were taken out of proportion too, I think he was trying to say that while him and Graham still do music regularly, Alex and Dave don't at all really - which is true. While it appears I am trying to protect him somewhat, I do think that Damon is probably a bit of an idiot to work with. I don't think it's a case of 'Damon hates the whole band' though.
-- Edited by PulpBristol on Wednesday 25th of July 2012 09:44:59 PM
Dad reckons Led Zeppelin. Mum reckons the Stones. I reckon Bowie and Jagger reprising Dancing in the Street, with McCartney on piano and the remaining members of Queen and Pink Floyd sharing out the instruments between them. And Grace Jones spinning a hula hoop.
My dad has a very elaborate idea that it will be British music through the ages; Starting with Cliff Richards then Paul McCartney with Pipes of Peace (possibly with Ringo on drums), Rolling Stones, Bowie and they will end with a child/ new band
'Talking about Blur's future, Albarn said he didn't think there would be any more records or shows. Specifically, he said he could no longer collaborate with bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree in the studio: "I find it very easy to record with Graham [Coxon]. He's a daily musician. With the other two, it's harder for them to reconnect. You know what I mean? It's fine when we play live it's really magical still but actually recording new stuff, and swapping musical influences it's quite difficult."'
Its kinda hard to interpret that any way other than they're ostensibly no longer "good enough" to work with the almighty Sir Damon. Plus this gem:
'Dreams of Blur finally releasing a eighth album can rest easy for now: In the current issue of NME, producer William Orbit (who worked on Blur's album 13) said that he had been recording with the band, but that Damon Albarn halted sessions three weeks ago: "The new stuff sounded amazing. Then it all stopped suddenly. It was all over with Damon, and the rest of the band were like, 'Is this it?'" The magazine highlights a Tweet by Orbit from the end of March, responding to a fan's query regarding new material: "Blur could have been good. But Damon, brilliant and talented though he is, is kinda a shit to the rest of Blur." '
Not that I think anyone's really surprised what a twat he still is, but can you imagine Jarvis saying something like that about the rest of Pulp? These are the people that made him famous. Does he think anyone cares about Rocket Juice and the Cow That Jumped Over the Moon or whatever half-assed ephemera he's releasing this week? But I digress.
Not sure what the exact reason was they declined, Nicky said something about "loving the sport but hating all the other nonsense" Hmmm. Have no idea what strictly come dancing is, I'm kinda too afraid to ask....
I thoroughly agree that Damon can be a bit of a nob, but I really don't think he's said/done anything untoward with regards to Blur of late. As is well known, Damon and Graham are still gigging musicians. Alex is a farmer and Dave is a lawyer. Alex's musical skill has degenerated anyway - the bass parts on Under the Westway are distressingly dull!
And re: 'the nonsense', the Manics thought that the was a good idea:
I think UTW sounds a bit derivative of their other classics, and that line: "But I am going to sing Hallelujah
Sing it out loud and sing it to you" Bleuh! Much prefer The Puritan.
Yeah, I suppose it could have been taken out of context, it just seemed kind of belittling, you know?
Hrmm.... so it's a dancing-contest kind of show? Its pretty cheesy looking, but from what I saw doesnt look too dissimiliar from TOTP or late-night show thing. I'm sure somewhere Richey is crying, though.