Albums: Blur live At Wembley Stadium

Blur Live at Wembley Stadium

Disc One: St Charles Square; There's No Other Way; Popscene; Tracy Jacks; Beetlebum ; Trimm Trabb; Villa Rosie; Stereotypes ; Out of Time; Coffee & TV; Under the Westway. Disc Two: End of a Century; Sunday Sunday; Country House; Parklife; To the End; Oily Water; Advert; Song 2; This Is a Low; Lot 105; Girls & Boys; For Tomorrow; Tender; The Narcissist; The Universal

Label: Parlophone

Blur made a rather triumphant return in 2023. Having waited 8 years between albums, The Ballad of Darren proved itself something of a fan and critic favourite. Numerous publications hailed The Ballad of Darren as one of the best albums of the year, propelling the band back to the top of the UK album charts. While the record alone would have been enough, Blur also played a handful of live shows across several continents, marking their first shows for four years. Many would argue that their nights at Wembley were the most hyped of these dates, and to celebrate the success of the returning shows, the band has released their sixth live album.

Live At Wembley shows a band who may have changed since their last live album, 2012's Parklive, but who have not lost any of their appeal. Time changes us all, but music is timeless. With a set that boasted 25 of their numerous songs, Live at Wembley is much more than a Greatest Hits live compilation. Live at Wembley is not just a riotous trip down memory lane, but also a celebration of their ability to deliver new material that is pure pedigree.

While there is no denying that Tender, Girls & Boys, Song 2, and Beetlebum are even bigger anthems today than they ever were, the inclusion of newer songs The Narcissist and St. Charles Square highlights just how the art school kids have not lost their touch at all. Yet it is not the songs' strength that shines brightest; it is the band's sheer likeability behind the music that makes this collection so memorable.