Blur, The Specials & New Order Set To Close 2012 London Olympics

By Simon Gallagher / February 21, 2012

On a night in which the Brit-poppers closed the prestigious 2012 Brit Awards and picked up their outstanding contribution gong, Blur were also confirmed as the headliners for the BT London Live event, which will celebrate the end of this year's London Olympics, alongside fellow musical royalty The Specials and New Order in a line-up that will have fans salivating. Blur will be joined on stage by an as-yet unnamed special guest. That announcement will come later, but what price on either Noel or Liam Gallagher defying the Britpop divide that saw a rivalry spring up between their bands and joining Damon Albarn et al on stage for a roof-raising finale? Wishful thinking perhaps. Maybe they'll just go with Brian May on top of a London landmark again... Singer Albarn told NME: 'It'll be a proper party. It's the closing night of the Olympics. Our raison d'etre is to provide another celebration of a fantastic day.' Meanwhile bassist Alex James told the Sun a little more detail about what fans can expect from the band at the event:

"We've been asked to perform five songs. I met up with the band last week and we discussed what we will play. I'm more excited about playing some of the old hits again than winning. Winning prizes is nothing compared to the feeling of playing music."

He also spoke in terms which might disappoint fans who were expecting Blur to reform properly for another run at the charts, resisting the urge to say anything concrete about a reformation:

"Pulling the band back together is like reassembling The A-Team for one last job. There is always a feeling that this may be Blur's last bow, which I suppose makes it all the more exciting."

The line-up has left some commenters underwhelmed, with questions over their suitability to close such a prestigious ceremony appearing from various corners, including from The Telegraph's Neil McCormick, whose assessment of the line-up rings true for me, despite my recognition of each band's position in the modern history of British music:

They represent another Britain: edgy, irreverent, self-critical, satirical, anti-establishment yet simultaneously fascinated and indeed proud of national heritage and characteristics.

This is perhaps a good thing though: none of the three could ever be accused of bloated excess, as earlier veteran bans like Queen, Led Zeppelin and the like could, and they are at least far more suitable than young pretenders like One Direction and The Wanted. Dear God, imagine that...