TOUR REVIEW: Spring 1997 Japanese Tour

As was usual for them, in 1997 Blur undertook a tour of Japan. And as was usual, these were some of the best shows of the tour, full of screaming, fanatical crowds and inspired sets from the band with rarities thrown in just for the Japanese fans. Here are the tour dates for this series of concerts:

May 1997:

25th - Palace, Sendai, Japan
26th - Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
27th - Festival Hall, Osaka, Japan
28th - Festival Hall, Osaka, Japan
30th - Century Hall, Nagoya, Japan
31st - Shimin Kaikan, Fukouka, Japan

June 1997:

2nd - Blitz, Tokyo, Japan
3rd - Blitz, Tokyo, Japan

Only two recordings are available from this tour: the May 27th show in Osaka and the June 3rd show in Tokyo. I know for a fact that a recording for the Budokan show on May 26th exists and I'm trying my hardest to track it down. But for now, we'll have to settle for the two shows that are available. Below are the set lists, with the rare songs in bold font:

Festival Hall, Osaka May 27th, 1997

Beetlebum
Movin' On
Jubilee
Stereotypes
Country Sad Ballad Man
M.O.R.
To The End
She's So High
Swallows In The Heatwave
Popscene
Chinese Bombs
Advert
Bank Holiday
Girls & Boys
Death Of A Party
This Is A Low
You're So Great
Song 2
On Your Own
Parklife
Look Inside America
The Universal
Sing

Blitz, Tokyo June 3rd, 1997

Beetlebum
Movin' On
Jubilee
Stereotypes
Country Sad Ballad Man
M.O.R.
To The End
She's So High
Swallows In The Heatwave
Popscene
Chinese Bombs
Advert
Bank Holiday
Girls & Boys
Beard
Death Of A Party
This Is A Low
Fried
Song 2
On Your Own
Supa Shoppa
Parklife
Strange News From Another Star
The Universal
Sing

You're So Great was played at the Osaka show (and other shows during this tour) and the Osaka tape is, to date, the only documented live performance of this song by Blur. It's Graham on electric guitar and sounds different from the album version, a little timid but still good. The Tokyo tape (which was the last show of the tour) has more nuggets: a full version of Beard, a rare performance of Fried, and the only (to date) full performance of Strange News From Another Star (they played it at the end of 2003, but only a snippet from a show in Amsterdam is available). In this version, Damon and Graham have to run through the chords and arrangement with Alex and Dave right onstage before they play it...it's a neat moment and ends up being a decent enough version, but essential for historical value.

As was usual with Blur, Japan was witness to some of their best and most interesting shows. I hope someday soon I will get a copy of the '97 Budokan tape or any other shows from Japan. Of course, if you have one of the shows or any others, please contact me privately.