Blur – Malahide Castle – Live Review – 24/06/23
by Killian Laher

Big summer gig season is well and truly upon us, though there is something a little retro about going to see Blur in 2023.  First on the bill were Sounds Mint, and by all accounts, their shouty rock was well received but missed by this reviewer, unfortunately.   Rebecca Taylor, aka Self Esteem was next.  She performed with her band in front of a backdrop inscribed DON’T FUCK UP THE BLUR GIG.  Their four-letter-word littered set was captivating, and well choreographed, with Taylor as the focus.  Halfway through they smeared red lipstick across their faces, a simple but vivid gesture. An arresting performance, big things await Self Esteem.

Although Blur are preparing the release of their album, this felt very much like a reunion set for an audience there to relive the classics.  Damon Albarn seemed equal parts delighted to be there and delighted with himself as There’s No Other Way got everybody dancing.  They mixed lesser-heard tracks Colin Zeal and Stereotypes into a hit-heavy set.  Graham Coxon showed his guitar prowess on Beetlebum, especially on an elongated outro, and also on Coffee and TV, adding vocals to the latter.  New song Russian Circles got its first ever live airing before actor Phil Daniels joined them for an inevitable Parklife, sending the crowd absolutely wild.  For the most part, Albarn was note-perfect, albeit some songs sounded like they were played in a lower key, and Alex James and Dave Rowntree kept the songs tight.

Ballads dominated late on, with To The End and This Is A Low getting a great response,  on the other hand, Song 2 sent the crowd full-on crazy, over-familiarity hasn’t dimmed its appeal.  In the encore, Girls and Boys was dedicated to Pride, while Tender, new song The Narcissist and The Universal sent the singing crowd happy into the night.  Few can have been disappointed with the show, and it seems it really, really, really did happen.

Setlist
Crossroads – (Tony Hatch & His Orchestra song)
St. Charles Square
There’s No Other Way
Popscene
Trouble in the Message Centre
Chemical World
Beetlebum
Trimm Trabb
Villa Rosie
Colin Zeal
Coffee & TV
Russian Strings (Live debut)
End of a Century
Stereotypes (Tour debut)
Parklife (with Phil Daniels)
To the End
Sing
Advert
Song 2
This Is a Low
 
Encore:
Girls & Boys
Tender
The Narcissist
The Universal