Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure (1991) incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing. Following a stylistic change—influenced by English guitar pop groups such as early Pink Floyd, The Kinks, The Who, The Beatles and XTC—Blur released Modern Life I
s Rubbish (1993), Parklife (1994) and The Great Escape (1995). As a result, the band helped to popularise the Britpop genre and achieved mass popularity in the UK, aided by a famous chart battle with rival band Oasis dubbed "The Battle of Britpop". In recording their follow-up, Blur (1997), the band underwent another reinvention, showing influence from the lo-fi style of American indie rock groups. "Song 2", one of the album's singles, brought Blur mainstream success in the US. Their next album, 13 (1999) saw the band members experimenting with electronic music, as Albarn wrote more personal lyrics. In May 2002, Coxon left Blur during the recording of their seventh album Think Tank (2003). Containing electronic sounds and more minimal guitar work, the album was marked by Albarn's growing interest in hip hop and African music. After a 2003 tour without Coxon, Blur did no studio work or touring as a band, as members engaged in other projects. In 2009 Blur reunited, with Coxon back in the fold, for a series of successful reunion concerts. In February 2012, Graham Coxon announced to the Daily Record that Blur will be recording a new album.[95]. On 19 February, Albarn and Coxon premiered a new track together live, "Under the Westway". On 21 February 2012, Blur were awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the Brits. They went on to perform 5 tracks: 'Girls & Boys', 'Song 2', 'Parklife', 'Tender' and 'This is a Low'. Blur will headline at Hyde Park, with New Order and The Specials, to celebrate the closing of the 2012 Summer Olympics on 12 August 2012.
