BRITGIRL's gig report

Entertain Me!

Blur at Hyde Park 3 July 2009

July 2009

Thank goodness the temperatures were lower today than yesterday. Even a few degrees difference can make a huge difference in the comfort level of the performers and audience. Especially in a place like Hyde Park where we are packed tightly together like sardines. Tonight was night two of the two nights at Hyde Park that BRITGIRL was able to be a part of. Yesterday was all about enjoying the show and not getting too exhausted, lost or overheated. The pen and paper remained at the room as she experienced the first night in its full chaotic, combustible, raw energy.

When I made my way up to the very front to Alex's left hand side I found a peaceful spot to situate myself for the finale evening that was coming up. People don't wear wristwatches anyone so I could not tell exactly what time, but it was perhaps 8:20-ish when blur appeared onstage to a thunderous, welcoming, roar. damon remarked how these two nights at Hyde Park will be "the first London gig CD we put on sale," as "She's So High" began. Mayhem began almost immediately as people were rescued from front center, asked if they were allright and taken to the side for medical attention if they replied they were not.

The next song is preceded by damon telling us "you look beautiful in the sunset" and "Girls and Boys" begins. More crazed madness ensues with people being rescued by the droves every 20 or so seconds. After "Tracey Jacks," damon remarks, "I think we were lucky with the weather. It was supposed to rain. Don't think it'll rain tonight," to which we roar back with glee.

Before the fourth song begins, someone in the audience plays the horn and damon asks, "who's got the horn? play it!" The horn player obliges and damon smiles happily and says, "yeah!" Then "There's No Other Way" begins. Before "Jubilee" begins, damon says, "Andy Murray is no longer at Wimbledon and it seems we're the only official sponsors of Fred Perry left in England in the summer." Funny! :P Both damon and Dave are wearing Fred Perrys. damon's is the usual dark blue and Dave's is red. Next damon says, "In 1850 before they built the Crystal Palace where it is now they built it here. Must have looked lovely in the setting sun," as "Badhead" begins with damon playing homage to the setting sun.

The seventh song, "Beetlebum," is preceded by a serious public service announcement by damon using his megaphone where he asks the people in the front center section to "enjoy yourselves slightly less as it's a health and safety hazard." It was obvious the members of blur could see very clearly that many people were being thrashed about in the front center section. It was touching to hear a message directly from him. "I think that's the wind blowing now," he says as "Out of Time" begins. When the ninth song, "Trimm Trabb" begings, damon starts off by whispering the names of locations in London some that BRITGIRL caught were, "St. Paul's, Westway..." amongst others, as he pointed in the directions of those places. He follows up the song with a "Vote Dave" shout and everyone starts chanting "Dave, Dave, Dave," which puts a sweet smile on Dave's face. Yeah, we all love you, Dave.

"Coffee and TV" begins to tons of overjoyed shrieking. Yes, many peeps love Graham, as well, and welcome his return with jubilation! The next song is dedicated by damon to "Ollie and family" and many clueless people ask aloud, "who's Ollie?!" Those of us in the know, know, though. ;) "Tender" begins and just as it was last night many people sing, "oh my baby, oh my baby" even before it begins and sing along with Graham when he sings that part. So many people were still singing that as they were leaving the Park.

Before the 12th song, "Country House" begins, damon asks the people way in the back, "how's it working out for you in the back. I just want those in the back to tell me 'yes,' if it's working out for you," to which the audience in the back yell in unison, "yes!" Lovely! People go mental over "Country House," as well. The thirteenth song, "Oily Water" is intense this evening, even more so than last night. damon once spins himself and his megaphone and creates an interesting staccato sound with it as it comes around each time to the microphone. He keeps spinning and spinning even while the next song, "Chemical World" begins and stops suddenly and looks a bit lost for a moment in his spinning world. How cute. :D

Over the last couple of weeks he has been doing this thing where he will run and we will jump and not to stop running or jumping until we all stop, he says, as "Sunday Sunday" begins. Graham, damon and Dave go totally bonkers during this one. Alex is his usual cool self. Then the sixteenth song, which is about this Park begins with Phil daniels amking an appearance. He's looking well, Phil. All the lads have big grins on their faces. They really love this man, you can tell. damon gives him a great, big, bear hug at the end of the song. "Enjoy your Parklife," Phil shouts to us as he leaves the stage.

"End of a Century" with the horn section is a great song to just lose oneself in as is the next song, "To the End" and the mirror ball appears to everyone's delight. damon looks up and enjoys the beautiful shimmering patterns it casts upon the ceiling of the stage. "Can you see the moon yet? Say 'hello moon!' Thank you!" It is a lovely full moon lit night tonight and this moonchild is over the moon to see how ethereal it looks. "This is a Low" is BRITGIRL's favorite ballad by blur. Tonight I lose myself in it and the magnificence of being able to be here for the second night at Hyde Park. The journey of thousands of miles and lifetimes have all been well worth it even just for these special evenings I've been blessed to experience.

After a resounding, "thank you," from damon blur go backstage for a bit. When they return for the encore damon begins by saying, "This gig is located in London and many here are from London, but there are so many people who have come from all over the world. From Latin America, from Asia...Thank you! If you'll show me your flags (as many had brought country flags in fact and were waving them)...(upon seeing a flag raised) not sure if that is Uruguay or Paraguay. Muchas Gracias! Let's leave it at that." :P It was really nice that he acknowledged the international fans who have come from the four corners of the world. It was such a joy to see probably THE most culturally diverse crowd ever at a blur gig on the two nights at Hyde Park. The dedication and love of all the fans is mind-boggling and blur are certainly aware of that. The three songs played during the first encore are, "Popscene," "Advert" and "Song 2" It's edifying to see Graham and damon jumping around the stage as they always have. Such fun they all have onstage.

After going backstage for a bit they are back for the second encore which begins by damon telling us, "this is our last gig in London, England, and after last night I didn't think it was possible, but tonight is something else!" Not only is it something else, d, but it is top notch and your voice was in even better condition than last night. Whatever it is that you did, it worked! :D "Death of a Party" is hauntingly gorgeous and Graham's guitar is pure fire. I always loved how Graham has a very decisive, no-nonsense, butt-kicking manner of playing his guitars while at the same time oozing of emotion. damon's glances at Graham while he was playing showed how much he appreciates and enjoys how Graham plays guitar. The love came across loud and clear. *sighs contently* The melodica playing by damon was even more inspired than last night. To make such a small and simple instrument sing! I was drunk on the sound.

Before the next song begins, damon says, "thank you to everyone who persisted to get us to do this; who believed in us, who massaged our egos. Thank you, as well, for your unbelievable support!" We never gave up on you, blur, as I reckon you never had, either. Thanks to Graham, Dave, Alex and you, damon, for coming together again! We all love you and your music and are forever inspired by you and your music. "For Tomorrow" is full of hope for a tomorrow that will surely come. "The Universal" teaches us, once again, that it "really, really, really could happen." damon yells, "London!" after the song is done and the evening comes to a close. Long live blur!!!

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