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The Britpop wars of the 1990s defined a generation, pitting two of Britain’s biggest bands, Blur and Oasis, against each other in a rivalry that became the stuff of music legend. And now, nearly 30 years later, Blur’s Damon Albarn has publicly conceded what many fans have long debated: Oasis won.
Speaking in a candid interview amid the Gallagher brothers’ much-anticipated reunion tour this summer, the 56-year-old Blur frontman reflected on the famous feud with good humour and humility.
“Well, it was obvious, wasn’t it? I think we can officially say that Oasis won the battle, the war, the campaign, everything,” Damon admitted. “They are the winners. They take first place. In the face of such overwhelming evidence, I am happy to accept and concede defeat.”
While Blur famously beat Oasis to No.1 in the UK singles chart back in 1995 with Country House over Roll With It, Damon acknowledged that history, and public sentiment, has clearly favoured Oasis since.
“It’s their summer and God bless them,” he said of Liam and Noel Gallagher’s ongoing reunion. “I hope everyone has a wonderful time, but I’m going to be in a very, very different place.”
The rivalry, fuelled by tabloid headlines, was emblematic of the North-South divide at the heart of Britpop. Blur, seen as middle-class art school boys from Colchester, clashed with the working-class Mancunian swagger of Oasis. The resulting media circus created some of the most memorable moments in modern British music.
But rather than harbour bitterness, Damon seemed almost relieved to let go of the competition. Over the years, he’s branched out musically with projects like Gorillaz, while Blur reunited on and off to critical acclaim, including last year’s Mercury Prize-nominated album The Ballad of Darren.
Oasis, meanwhile, have seen their legend grow even after their 2009 split. The band’s reunion this year has become one of the most talked-about tours in recent memory, with fans of all ages scrambling for tickets.
Damon’s comments reflect a sense of peace with the past, and even admiration for his old rivals. “The songs are still incredible, and they’ve clearly touched people in a way that lasts,” he said.
A West End play based on the Britpop years is also in the works, proving the enduring cultural fascination with that iconic era. For Damon Albarn, however, the future lies elsewhere.
“I’ll be somewhere else entirely,” he said cryptically, hinting at new musical projects. “That chapter’s closed for me.”
It seems, after all these years, Damon Albarn is content to let Oasis take the crown, while he continues to follow his own creative path.
