Blur To Play Free Show In Williamsburg Friday, by dreadnatty on Apr 29, 2015 15:31:59 GMT 1, Blur To Play Free Show In Williamsburg Friday

gothamist.com/2015/04/28/the_great_escape_blur_to_play_free.php

Blur, the greatest Britpop band not named Pulp, are set to play their first show in the U.S. since reuniting a few years ago. "We've always had a great time in New York, so I think it's going to be particularly special," bassist Alex James told Rolling Stone. "It's the city where all your dreams come true, isn't it?"

The band announced today that they will celebrate the release of their new album, The Magic Whip, by playing Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg this Friday, May 1st. They're expected to play the new album in full, just like they did at an intimate show in London last month.

The band were inspired to book the gig after agreeing to appear on The Tonight Show with Jimm Fallon this Thursday night: "We thought, 'We should really do a show while we're there,'" James told Rolling Stone. "It's been a real scramble, but we've managed to work it out, and we couldn't be more excited. It's a miracle, really. I think we owe the fans something, 'cause it's been a long, long time since we've been there."

You can reserve tickets for the show, which is sponsored by Converse, Wednesday at noon here. If this all sounds a little too good to be true, it is: admission at the venue will be first-come, first-served.

In case you haven't heard the album yet, The Magic Whip is really great. It leans on the vibes of Damon Albarn's slightly more-melancholy solo work, but the addition of Graham Coxon's unpredictable, unique guitar squalls and the rhythm section's undeniable chemistry elevate it far above the typical reunion album. "Lonesome Street" legit sounds like the band picked up where they left off with the songwriting style they had perfected on The Great Escape; "I Broadcast" has a mighty hook that comes right from side two of Parklife; "My Terracota Heart" has spindly guitars and a lovely lyric about Albarn's oft-fractured relationship with Coxon; "New World Towers" and "Thought I Was A Spaceman" have the same silverly tones as Everyday Robots, but with bigger emotional payoffs; "Ghost Ship" is the loosest Albarn has sounded in years, and "Ong Ong" with its la-la's will bring back goosebumps to the days of "For Tomorrow."