Blur has played hundreds of concerts around in the world throughout their 20 year history. But one thing that is unique is that they're one of the few bands who venture off the beaten path and play in countries other than the usual UK/USA/Europe/Japan axis. This wanderlust reached its height during Blur's 1997-1999 peak when they went to some truly far-flung locales. Below is a list of concerts they've played off the beaten path (available recordings are highlighted in bold font and italics).-Estonia 1993 (unknown venue and date)
-6/30/96 Ruisrock Festival, Turku, Finland
-9/8/96 Laugardalshollin, Reykjavik, Iceland
-8/27/97 Sports Hall, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
-8/29/97 Gothaab Hall, Nuuk, Greenland
-8/31/97 Laugardalshollin, Reykjavik, Iceland
-10/21/97 Munwha Gym, Seoul, Korea
-10/24/97 North Shore Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
-10/26/97 Festival Hall, Brisbane, Australia
-10/28/97 Metro, Sydney, Australia
-10/29/97 Metro, Sydney, Australia
-10/30/97 Horden Pavillion, Sydney, Australia
-11/1/97 Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
-11/2/97 Metro, Melbourne, Australia
-11/4/97 Thebarton, Adelaide, Australia
-11/6/97 Metropolis, Perth, Australia
-11/8/97 MBK Hall, Bangkok, Thailand
-11/11/97 Harbour Pavillion, Singapore, Singapore
-6/19/99 Provinssirock Festival, Seinajoki, Finland
-7/13/99 Rockwave Festival, Athens, Greece
-11/18/99 Metropolitan Theatre, Mexico City, Mexico
-11/21/99 Credit Card Hall, Sao Paulo, Brazil
-11/23/99 Metropolitan, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
-11/26/99 Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
-11/27/99 Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
-4/22/03 Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
-9/24/03 DK Gorbunova, Moscow, Russia
-9/25/03 DK Gorbunova, Moscow, Russia
While I realize Australia is not an unusual location, the fact of the matter is not too many bands from the USA or UK usually venture down there (as an example, Led Zeppelin and The Who only toured Australia once, as did The Rolling Stones in their heyday). Also, while Finland, Greece, and Iceland are in Europe, most bands don't play there very often, if at all.
One thing to notice is that Blur has played is some really exotic and unusual places...South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, South America, Mexico, Russia, and especially surprising, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. It's a testament to their popularity that they were able to play in all of these places and draw large crowds (remember, in smaller countries, crowds of 5,000 can be akin to playing in front of 20,000 in England or America!).
While it can be tougher to find recordings, photographs, or articles reviewing concerts from these places, the quest continues to try and get a better idea of Blur's concerts in these interesting locations!
To play a non-festival gig in Finland, you'll have to be a pretty giant band (like U2 or Metallica) to attract enough people to cover the costs of travelling. That's why Blur and many other bands only play at the festivals here. :-( However, there are some expections like Muse, who recently sold nearly 15,000 tickets in hours for their one-off gig in the capital Helsinki. Wish Blur could do the same!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I meant *exceptions like Muse*.
ReplyDeleteIs Blur not very popular in Finland (the way they aren't in the US) or do they just not sell as many tickets as giant bands like U2 or Muse?
ReplyDeleteBlur were quite popular here in 1995-1999 (like Oasis and Pulp), but believe me, nowadays they would possibly struggle to sell-out even a mid-sized venue of 3,000 seats - even if playing just one night. In contrast, our nation loves the older stadium rock bands who can attract nearly 100,000 people for their small visit here (pretty amazing for a nation of 5 million people!). So, in Finland, Blur are more or less in the marginal. :-(
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Blur's always been a cult band here in the US, but with a large following (since we're such a big country). I guess I always figured that they were huge everywhere in Europe, and I guess at one time they were, although now they'd be considered an "older" band, but not in the same class as dinosaurs like U2.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeletecould you please upload the recording of this show: 9/24/03 DK Gorbunova, Moscow, Russia
I was there and this was the best concert experience in my life. I'm dying to re-live those memories.
am really sorry but i am a little lost here, how would i download this gig's music it was the first gig my missus went to and i wanna play it for her when i do something special-11/6/97 Metropolis, Perth, Australia
ReplyDeleteHi there! I hadn't uploaded it, the gigs in boldface were just the ones that I have tapes for. Are you the same fellow who emailed me about this? (I have seen the email, haven't had a chance to read it yet, though). If so, I'll be in touch shortly.
DeleteHi drew that's me, seriously a tape would be even more amazing, is they anyway you could send me one and I.PayPal some money across to you. Honestly your help would be truly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYour Articles regarding this matter are right, perceive how I composed this site is actually quite great Concerts festivals Sporting events.
ReplyDelete