Entertainment
Blur’s Damon Albarn recoils after reliving ‘nightmare as a kid’ before transforming into exactly that-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
Consider us creeped out.
Blur’s Damon Albarn relived an actual nightmare at Wembley Stadium (Picture: Ruth Lawes/Metro.co.uk/PA)
Damon Albarn got a real fright as he took to the stage with his Blur bandmates at Wembley Stadium.
The music star, 55, played in the 90,000-strong venue on Saturday night (July 8), with an extra date added tomorrow due to overwhelming demand.
Fans got to scream all their hits out with them, with the set kicking off with St Charles Square and ending with The Universal.
The gig was also a chance for the group – also consisting of Graham Coxon, Alex James, and Dave Rowntree – to plug their next album, which lands on July 21.
Titled The Ballad of Darren, the record’s title is in honour of Darren ‘Smoggy’ Evans, the band’s former bodyguard, who currently works for frontman Damon.
Speaking previously, the lead star said: ‘Darren is many people. It is directly one person. There’s a picture of Darren in the album. Not on the front cover. It was going to be but then we put it on the inner sleeve because it’s not the sort of attention Darren will want.’
The band are playing two shows at the iconic London venue this weekend (Picture: PA)
It comes as the band gear up for the release of their ninth album, The Ballad of Darren (Picture: PA)
But the band’s love for Darren doesn’t end with an album title, oh no, because he’s even incorporated into the band’s merch.
Yep, the merchandise stand at their shows sells actual Darren masks, which fans were keen to purchase and wear throughout the show.
Although, this wasn’t exactly the most pleasant sight for Damon to look out to from the stage, given that the masks are… kinda creepy, to say the least.
Describing the sea of Darren masks, he told the audience it was ‘like a nightmare he had as a kid.’
But, he urged everyone to buy one, as it can be ‘useful’.
We have no idea what for, as long as we don’t bump into one down a dark alleyway.
Masks of their bodyguard were sold to fans at the merch stand (Picture: Ruth Lawes/Metro.co.uk)
Speaking ahead of their Wembley shows, Damon said it felt ‘amazing’ to finally headline their own gig at the iconic venue after such a successful career.
The Girls & Boys hitmakers actually have six UK number-one albums under their belts, as well as two chart-topping singles, and have been on multiple tours around the world, so it might come as a surprise that this is their first time playing the stadium.
Rocker Damon told ITV News: ‘It’s amazing for Graham and me to sit here, having started off in our little humble Portakabin in Colchester at the age of 12 and to be here, thank you very much, everybody.’
Guitarist Graham added his belief that ‘you’ve always got to try and shrink a place, to make it feel like a club’.
He said: ‘That can be hard if the gap between the stage and the front row is big, it’s like a huge moat sometimes. It’s not too bad here at Wembley Stadium.’
On gearing up to release their ninth album, Graham noted that ‘with this record, sonically and with the sounds I want it to land rather nicely. Whereas 20 years ago, I didn’t really… I wanted it to be a bit of a rough landing.’
The Ballad of Darren is released on July 21.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Helen Skelton ‘puts marital home up for sale’ as she ‘moves on’ after split from ex Richie Myler
Entertainment – MetroRead More
