Blur

From Beyoncé to David Bowie: 10 of the best Glastonbury sets ever

Ahead of a livestreamed version of the festival, here are some of the biggest and best performances from years gone by

Dorian Lynskey

21, May, 2021 @8:00 AM

'It was like we'd gatecrashed someone else's party': how Britpop stars Menswear came apart at the seams

Back in 1994, the sharp-suited quintet could do no wrong as record labels fought to sign them. But in-fighting, drug abuse – and knocking a Coke can over on Peter Gabriel’s mixing desk – led to a rapid demise

Dave Simpson

23, Oct, 2020 @7:00 AM

Damon Albarn in a facemask: Kevin Cummins' best photograph

‘He wanted to get on a train in Tokyo to see what they were like. He put on a facemask and did a shiver as a joke. Because of Covid-19, it now seems really prescient’

Interview by Tim Jonze

14, Oct, 2020 @2:51 PM

'It reminded me I should not go quietly': readers' favourite UK No 1s

Guardian readers fill in the blanks in our countdown of the greatest UK No 1s of all time, with entries from Dusty Springfield to Desmond Dekker, Jimi Hendrix to Joe Dolce

Guardian readers

10, Jun, 2020 @9:00 AM

The Good, the Bad & the Queen review – Albarn rages, but things might just get better

Damon Albarn jabs a finger at Brexit Britain’s divisions but the show turns bawdily riotous and, with the help of a male voice choir, inspirational

Dave Simpson

02, Dec, 2018 @11:23 AM

Marianne Faithfull: the muse who made it on her own terms

As the singer prepares to release her 21st album, we look back at a singular career marked by creative restlessness, personal troubles and triumphant reinventions

Alexis Petridis

23, Oct, 2018 @12:30 PM

Graham Coxon: 'I was a mardy brat in my 20s … I'm quite mellow now'

Blur’s guitarist reflects on the state of pop music, swearing, and why he’s glad he doesn’t have to wear makeup any more

Rebecca Nicholson

26, Sep, 2018 @11:23 AM

Ray of Light: Madonna’s lesson in maturity or gateway for Goop?

Still 20 years on, Madge’s earth mother opus that influenced Adele and Britney, is still the template for modern pop

Michael Cragg

23, Feb, 2018 @1:00 PM

Blur v Oasis: the Britpop battle remains as contrived and cynical as ever

With release of a new Gorillaz album, the decades-old rivalry resurfaces as Liam Gallagher tweets rudely about Damon Albarn – and his own brother Noel

Barry Nicolson

02, May, 2017 @1:24 PM

Damon Albarn: Gorillaz's new album a response to Trump's election

Band’s frontman says Humanz, the first Gorillaz album in five years, was made as a response to the ‘world going fucking nuts’

Alice Ross

09, Apr, 2017 @11:01 PM

Britpop songs – 10 of the best

For some it meant the arrogant swagger of Oasis and cheek of Blur, to others it stood for the perceptive wit of Pulp, but mostly the Britpop moment produced catchy tracks about youth on the move

Caroline Sullivan

15, Feb, 2017 @12:10 PM