Damon Albarn Claims He Was “Prophetic” in Predicting Oasis Reunion—But Will He Attend?

Damon Albarn, the frontman of Blur, has proclaimed himself “prophetic” for predicting an Oasis reunion two years ago, although it seems he might not catch their performances himself.

In 2023, Albarn expressed that the “road is clear” for Oasis to reconcile, noting that he would “put money” on their reunion as part of Blur’s own comeback tour. Reflecting on his earlier prediction, he told the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, “Two years ago, I foresaw this; I believed they would reunite. You can’t expect two brothers to remain apart forever. It’s a positive development, in my view.” However, when asked about attending a concert, he replied, “No, I’m simply too busy.”

In the 1990s, Blur and Oasis were fierce competitors, culminating in the famous ‘Battle of Britpop’ in 1995 when both bands released singles on the same day. Over the years, their rivalry has eased, and Albarn has even collaborated with Noel Gallagher on stage and on the Gorillaz track “We Got The Power.” The relationship appears to have grown stronger as they share a friendship stemming from their experiences in the ’90s. Even Liam Gallagher has spoken kindly about Blur, labeling Albarn as a “great songwriter” in 2022.

While Albarn may not attend, his Blur bandmates seem more inclined to catch the reunion. Drummer Dave Rowntree mentioned he would be “first in line” for an Oasis show, and guitarist Graham Coxon described the reunion as “good for fans.” On the other hand, bassist Alex James, like Albarn, has admitted he “genuinely won’t be going” but acknowledged the reunion as something wonderful, emphasizing how unfortunate it is for many bands to end in conflict.

As for Albarn, he’s set for a series of special Gorillaz shows in London at the end of August and is also reviving his Africa Express project, which will release a new album later this year.

The Oasis reunion tour is just around the corner, with its next show scheduled for July 11 in Manchester’s Heaton Park, marking the beginning of five significant homecoming dates. It’s clear that amid the chaos of today’s world, the joys of 90s music resonate deeply with fans, especially younger generations in need of a nostalgic escape.