Alex James has shared his thoughts on the reunion of Oasis, saying that “it’s nice that they waited till we got our shit out the way”, referring to Blur and their recent tour.
- READ MORE: Graham Coxon on the return of Blur: “We can’t leave it too long because we’re knocking on!”
The Observer published an interview with the Blur bassist yesterday (December 1) about Over the Rainbow, the forthcoming third autobiography by James after 2007’s Bit of a Blur and 2012’s All Cheeses Great and Small.
James was asked about Oasis’ highly-anticipated, sold-out reunion tour, including a return to Wembley Stadium, a venue that Blur has performed multiple times.
“I’m so happy for them. Delighted,” James said. “They’re great. I like them.”
“You know, there’s some people – mentioning no names – that when they walk in a room, you’re like: ‘Oh, fucking hell, he’s here.’ But when either of them walk into a room, it’s like: ‘Heyyy.’ He’s an incredible singer, Liam, and he can’t help being a rock star.”
“And it’s nice that they waited till we got our shit out the way, you know?” James added. “That’s very good manners.” Blur wrapped up the tour supporting their ninth studio album ‘The Ballad Of Darren’ in late-November 2023, following it up with a prominent slot at Coachella 2024.
James’ bandmate Graham Coxon also commented on the return of Oasis in October, saying the tour is “good for them and it’s good for the fans”. In 2023, Damon Albarn “put money” on the chances of an Oasis reunion.
The two groups went head-to-head in a legendary rivalry that ran throughout the height of Britpop in the 1990s. In September, it was revealed that a West End play based on the tense and tumultuous period will debut next year.
Over The Rainbow will be published this Thursday (December 5). Pre-order a copy here.
In August, Liam and Noel Gallagher announced that they were ending their own rivalry to bring Oasis back to the stage for a series of huge stadium gigs in the UK and Ireland in July 2025. From there, they are due to head to North America before returning for two extra dates at London’s Wembley Stadium in late September, and then heading to Australia in October.
Oasis will also perform at the Goyang Stadium in South Korea on 21 October, 2025, and will perform two shows in Japan at the Tokyo Dome on October 25 and 26.
Following the revelation that they’d be returning, Oasis ruled out a headline performance at Glastonbury 2025 and said they won’t be appearing at any other festivals next summer. Liam and Noel have shot down rumours of a return to Knebworth in 2026 too.
In other news, last month Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie took a swipe at James in an essay accompanying the band’s latest album ‘Come Ahead’, accusing James of “social climbing”.
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