Blur Bassist Alex James: “I’m So Happy For Oasis”
Blur bassist Alex James has spoken about the band’s 2023 shows and the forthcoming Oasis reunion in a new interview with The Observer.
order ‘Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium’ here
James spoke about his initial nerves when the Blur reunion was first suggested and the band met to make arrangements. “I just think there was a proper sense of enchantment with Blur getting back together. It was magical. But it started with me cacking it on the M40 on the way into London for that first meeting with the band, to see if we could do it… four stone overweight, and just thinking: ‘What band doesn’t hate one another at this point?'”
He went on to talk about the Blur song that he personally pushed to be included in the setlists of their Wembley Stadium shows. “I really pushed hard for Out of Time to be included. And it starts off so quietly, and I actually had my eyes closed, and I was just floating off, in it, and it was really, really quiet. I was like: ‘Fucking hell, they’re not getting it.’ And I opened my eyes, and everyone had their camera light up. Oh my God, I might start crying. Everyone.”
James also revealed his feelings about next year’s massively anticipated reunion of Blur’s old rivals, Oasis. “I’m so happy for them. Delighted. They’re great. I like them. You know, there’s some people – mentioning no names – that when they walk in a room, you’re like: ‘Oh, fucking hell, he’s here.’ But when either of them walk into a room, it’s like: ‘Heyyy.’ He’s an incredible singer, Liam, and he can’t help being a rock star. And it’s nice that they waited till we got our shit out the way, you know? That’s very good manners.”