Damon Albarn: “Oasis Won the Battle, the War, the Campaign- Everything”

After decades of playful rivalry, Damon Albarn has finally tipped his hat to Oasis, declaring them the ultimate victors of the Britpop era.

The 57-year-old Blur frontman, whose band famously went head-to-head with Oasis during the 1990s, has now “conceded defeat” following the overwhelming demand for tickets to the Gallagher brothers' long-awaited reunion tour.

Reflecting on the infamous Battle of Britpop — when Blur’s Country House beat Oasis’ Roll With It to Number One in 1995, Albarn told The Sun:

“Well, it was obvious, wasn’t it? I think we can officially say that Oasis won the battle, the war, the campaign, everything. 

They are the winners. They take first place. In the face of such overwhelming evidence, I am happy to accept and concede defeat. 

It’s their summer and God bless them. I hope everyone has a wonderful time but I’m going to be in a very, very different place.”

Albarn also shared his thoughts on the emotional toll of reunions — something he experienced himself when Blur played Wembley Stadium in 2023 and expressed admiration for the sheer scale of Oasis' current tour.

“I couldn’t do as many gigs as they’re doing. That’s a lot of the same emotion.
They’re very brave and I hope it’s worth it. You know, money isn’t everything.”

Still, he remains nostalgic for the 90s but not stuck in the past.

“I’m not being funny but it does feel like a more innocent, joyous age than now.
Nostalgia’s OK but I try and stay away from it as much as possible. Sometimes you can’t help but be lost in it.”

While Britpop memories swirl, Albarn has kept his creative engine running. From Gorillaz to his ongoing work with Africa Express, he’s embraced collaboration and stepped away from the spotlight.

“I killed Damon the pop star many years ago. It was a gentle death. I’m just not that interested in being the centre of attention. 

Don’t get me wrong, I embrace it when it’s necessary but it’s only a bit of me.
And Africa Express is always an amazing opportunity just to become one of many.”

Damon Albarn Spotted With New Girlfriend 2025

Blur frontman Damon Albarn was seen enjoying a quiet stroll through London earlier this week with a new female companion, marking the first time he has been spotted publicly with someone new since his highly publicised split from long-term partner Suzi Winstanley.

The 57-year-old musician kept his look casual in a white T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, while his mystery companion opted for a camouflage jumpsuit. The pair were seen walking Albarn’s dog before stopping by a corner shop to pick up snacks and other essentials during the outing.

Albarn’s appearance comes two years after the end of his 25-year relationship with Winstanley, an artist known for her collaborative wildlife work with Olly Williams. The couple, who share a 25-year-old daughter, Missy, were said to have kept their separation discreet, only confiding in close friends.

A source revealed in 2023 that Winstanley was heartbroken by the breakup, which was reportedly influenced by Albarn’s busy travel schedule and preference for spending extended periods of time at his Devon home, where he had set up a recording studio. “Suzi really tried to make it work,” the insider shared at the time. “It was incredibly sad for her when it ended.”

Winstanley was so affected by the split that she reportedly found it difficult to listen to Albarn’s 2023 Blur album, The Ballad of Darren. The record, widely interpreted as a reflection on their relationship, includes candid lyrics hinting at regret and loss. 

In The Ballad, Albarn sings, “I just looked into my life / And all I saw was that you’re not coming back,” while St. Charles Square opens with the line, “I f***** up / I’m not the first to do it,” suggesting personal responsibility for the breakdown.

Albarn and Winstanley first met in the late 1990s, shortly after his split from Elastica’s Justine Frischmann. At the time, Albarn was living in a Ladbroke Grove flat with cartoonist Jamie Hewlett, who would go on to co-create Gorillaz with him. By the end of 1999, Albarn and Winstanley had moved in together and soon welcomed their daughter.

Over the years, Albarn rarely spoke about his private life, often emphasizing his desire for privacy in interviews. “I appreciate that people want to fill in the gaps, but I just don’t want to talk about my private life,” he told The Guardian in 2003. “I never have done and I never will.”

Despite the breakup, Winstanley continued to show support for Albarn’s work, even attending Blur’s Wembley performance shortly after their split.

While Albarn has not commented on the new relationship, his relaxed appearance during the London stroll suggests he is embracing a new chapter in his personal life.

Ash Unveil New Album Ad Astra Featuring Graham Coxon and 2025 Tour Plans

 Northern Irish rock veterans Ash are back with a bang, officially announcing the arrival of their ninth studio album, Ad Astra, which lands on October 3. Alongside the album drop, the band will hit the road across the UK and Ireland, with headline gigs planned well into 2025 and 2026.

The upcoming release sees Ash deliver a new single, "Give Me Back My World," now available to stream. Frontman Tim Wheeler explained the song’s roots, noting its emotional weight and relevance, even five years on from when it was written.

“If I told you this song dates back to 2020, you’d hardly need a degree from the school of Marple, Holmes and Poirot to figure out what it’s getting at,” Wheeler said.

“And although those sentiments may be just a memory from the standpoint of 2025, the song’s heart still feels relevant. In a time of chaos, disruption and angst, there’s still a beautiful world out there and it’s worth fighting for. Have you ever had one of those moments where you feel the rug has been pulled from under you? Everything you took for granted goes up in smoke and you are no longer in control, and you can only look back in hindsight at a life that’s no longer yours? I think we’ve all had those moments.

I think you can all relate to this song. But luckily for you it a) rails against this loss of control and b) is a total banger. So, fire it up and rage with us against the dying of the light.”

Adding to the excitement, Ad Astra includes two guest appearances by Blur and The Waeve’s Graham Coxon, who lends his talents to the track “Fun People” and the album’s climactic closer, “Ad Astra.” The collaboration marks a rare team-up between two iconic figures from the Britpop era and has fans buzzing with anticipation.

Ad Astra – Full Tracklist:

1. Zarathustra

2. Which One Do You Want?

3. Fun People (featuring Graham Coxon)

4. Give Me Back My World

5. Hallion

6. Deadly Love

7. My Favourite Ghost

8. Jump In The Line

9. Keep Dreaming

10. Dehumanised

11. Ghosting

12. Ad Astra (featuring Graham Coxon)

In addition to the new music, Ash have mapped out a sprawling tour schedule beginning with support dates for Manic Street Preachers and Richard Ashcroft in August 2025, followed by their own headline shows across major UK cities, as well as international festival appearances and a stretch through Japan in October.

Key Tour Dates – 2025:

• Aug 2 – Audley End House, Essex (w/ Manic Street Preachers)

• Aug 7 – Sonorama, Aranda del Duero

• Aug 9 – Custom House Square, Belfast (w/ The Darkness)

• Aug 22 – Victorious Festival

• Aug 23 – Live at Scorrier House, Redruth (w/ Richard Ashcroft)

• Sep 9 & 10 – Scala, London

• Sep 26 – Visor Festival, Valencia

• Oct 14–21 – Various cities in Japan (Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya, Sendai, Yokohama)

• Nov 14 – Shiiine On Weekender, Minehead

• Nov 16–25 – Swansea, Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow, Blackpool, Sheffield, Oxford

• Dec 5–13 – Irish leg: Listowel, Dundalk, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Belfast

The band won’t be slowing down once the new year hits either. A run of dates has been revealed for February 2026, hitting intimate venues and fan-favourite stops across England.

Confirmed Tour Dates – February 2026:

• Feb 6 – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells

• Feb 7 – Junction, Cambridge

• Feb 8 – The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes

• Feb 10 – Phoenix, Exeter

• Feb 11 – The Trinity Centre, Bristol

• Feb 13 – Grand Central Dome, Liverpool

• Feb 14 – The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent

• Feb 15 – The Welly, Hull

• Feb 17 – Epic Studios, Norwich

• Feb 19 – O2 Academy, Birmingham

With new material, high-profile collaborations, and a tour that spans two years and several countries, Ash are making a serious case that they’re not just back — they’re galactic. Ad Astra promises to be one of their boldest offerings yet.

Gorillaz 2026: Damon Albarn Confirms New Album in Four Languages

Head's up- a new Gorillaz album is coming up in 2025! 

Damon Albarn has pulled back the curtain on his whirlwind of creativity, revealing that he’s been “buried in music-making” and, in a twist, the upcoming Gorillaz album will feature four different languages.

Speaking to The Sun, the Blur and Gorillaz frontman shared how the post-reunion rush of Blur didn’t slow him down one bit. “It’s been non-stop,” he said. “I was staging an opera in Paris while diving into the new Gorillaz record. Honestly, it’s been mad. But, let’s face it, the whole world’s gone mad, so none of this feels strange anymore.”

He added, “I’ve been ridiculously busy creating music -that’s my heartbeat. I guess I’ll have to start letting people hear it soon. There’s always this metaphorical dustbin bag of songs waiting to be tipped out and recycled into something new.”

While earlier this year Albarn hinted that fans might get the record in 2025, he told The Times that the album won’t drop until 2026. Still, he left us with a tantalising tease: “My new Gorillaz record is in four languages!”

On Britpop’s Fiercest Rivalry

In the same interview with The Sun, Albarn gave a surprisingly humble take on the legendary Britpop face-off between Blur and Oasis. Reflecting on the 1995 chart showdown, where Blur’s Country House beat Oasis’ Roll With It, he now shrugs it off:

“Oasis won — the battle, the war, the whole campaign. Let’s be real, it was obvious, wasn’t it?” he admitted. “They’re the victors. They’ve got the crown. I’m happy to step aside and concede. This summer belongs to them, and good on them. I hope it’s brilliant for everyone. I’ll be in a very, very different place.”

He even cheekily called himself “prophetic” for predicting the Gallagher brothers would eventually patch things up. “I mean, come on two brothers? They were always going to reconcile. It’s a good thing.”

On Music and Missteps

Albarn also spoke to The Times about wanting to collaborate with artists in Palestine and Israel amidst the ongoing war. He took a swipe at the controversy stirred by Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance, calling it “one of the most spectacular misfires I’ve ever witnessed.”

The rap-punk act faced backlash after chanting “death to the IDF” and making provocative gestures during their set. “When he started goose-stepping in tennis whites — I mean, I’ve done some questionable things on stage, but not quite that bad. Testosterone takes over, you lose perspective. It’s a shame, but everyone’s just on edge these days,” Albarn remarked.

Upcoming Gorillaz Shows

Fans won’t have to wait until 2026 for a taste of Gorillaz magic. The band is gearing up for a series of exclusive shows between August 29 and September 3 at London’s Copper Box Arena. Each night, Albarn and the full Gorillaz crew will perform one of their iconic albums from start to finish, paired with immersive visuals by co-founder Jamie Hewlett.

To top it all off, there’s a mystery gig scheduled for September 3 2025, though details remain tightly under wraps. These shows will also coincide with the final week of their House of Kong exhibition — an unmissable treat for fans.