Blur bassist Alex James has admitted that Oasis have “bloody smashed” their Live ’25 reunion tour.
- Read More: Oasis live in Cardiff review: a supersonic reunion for a new generation
The Manchester band are currently on the Australian leg of their tour having performed their most recent gig at Sydney’s Accor Stadium today (November 8).
Despite Blur and Oasis previously going head-to-head in a legendary rivalry that ran throughout the height of Britpop in the 1990s, in a new interview with The Mirror, James said: “I’m absolutely delighted for them. So many bands end up totally hating each other, or dying, or hating what they do. It’s really great to see Noel and Liam finally reconciled – and bloody smashing it.”
Reflecting on their ’90s rivalry, he added: “I just thought it was funny, at the time. I found the whole thing hilarious, to be honest. I have nothing but respect for Oasis. And the world would be a duller place without them, wouldn’t it?”
It comes after James previously heaped praise on Oasis ahead of their tour earlier this year, saying that the reunion was “wonderful”. Despite that he also said he won’t be among the gig-goers, after revealing last year he “genuinely won’t be going“ to any of their concerts.
Elsewhere, in James’ latest interview he also praised Radiohead‘s return after they kicked off their tour in Madrid earlier this week.
He added: “Radiohead are back on the road now… it feels like all these bands have suddenly come of age, like a fine wine. And people at the gigs know every single word of every song – but the music of your teenage years never leaves you.”
Elsewhere, James recently announced that he was taking his ‘Britpop Classical’ UK tour on the road in 2026.
He is set to bring the biggest hits of the Britpop era to life with a full live orchestra. He’ll also be joined on stage by a host of special guests, including Phil Daniels, Saffron of Republica and Gary Stringer of Reef, with more names to be confirmed at a later date.
The group will showcase hit tracks by the likes of Blur, Oasis, Pulp and Supergrass.
The forthcoming tour is due to kick off with a performance at the historic Royal Albert Hall in London on March 11. Further gigs are scheduled in Birmingham, Manchester, Brighton, Nottingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Sheffield throughout the month.
A run of outdoor summer shows will then follow in June and July. These include slots at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Halifax’s Piece Hall, Dreamland in Margate, and Latitude Festival 2026. You can purchase any remaining tickets here.
