In advance of the highly-anticipated feature-length documentary blur: To The End, Altitude have released a brand new clip of the iconic UK group performing their smash hit ‘Parklife’ alongside Phil Daniels, who narates the song’s enduring appeal in British popular culture.
Scheduled for availability in 350+ British and Irish theaters, blur: To The End will precede first-look footage from the band’s one-off performance of their critically acclaimed #1 charting LP ‘The Ballad of Darren’ at London’s Event in Apollo, Hammersmith last summer.
Captured during the period when the British music icons made an unexpected return with their first record in eight years, the #1 album ‘The Ballad of Darren, ‘blur: To The End follows the most recent chapter in the band’s story,’blur: To The End follows the most recent chapter in the band’s story,
The documentary follows the four friends/bandmates of three decades – Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree as they regrouped in early 2023 to record new songs ahead of their sold-out, first ever shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in July of 2023. Featuring performances of their most iconic, much-loved songs, footage of the band in the studio and life on the road, blur: To The End is an intimate moment in time with this most enduring of English bands, who’ve been at the heart of English cultural life and influence for over three decades.
Addressing the film, Alex James stated “We’ve barely communicated for the last 10 years… I mean even when we really split up, it didn’t take this long to make a record, but what’s wonderful is as soon as the four of us get in a room together, it’s just exactly the same as it was when we were all 19….”
Graham Coxon added “With each other… In the nineties, it was a very intense time. On the same sort of level as a relationship, or marriages and things like that. I think it’s okay to say that time apart was taken up with other friendships and just sort of recuperating or doing other things.”
Dave Rowntree said “The fact that we haven’t always got on, that is one of the chemistry points that has led to us being able to make the music we do. I’m absolutely convinced of it.”
Damon Albarn said – “I don’t think any of us thought we’d make another record, especially not a record like this. I suppose that’s why I wanted to try and make it as good as possible.” Speaking later in the film, he added – “We all have hugely involving and complicated lives and we’re so lucky that we get to spend this time together, just the four of us. And that’s the beauty of it…”
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Raph_PH