Britpop Classical is set to bring Alex James back to the stage this year for his first UK tour. The Blur bassist, 56, will combine the biggest hits of the Britpop era with a full live orchestra, chorus, and special guests. Fans can expect songs performed on a large scale, mixing rock energy with classical arrangements.
Alex, who also runs the Big Feastival on his Oxfordshire farm, spoke about the tour ahead of the first shows. Despite having five teenage children and managing a sprawling 200-acre farm, he says his love for performing remains unchanged. He also makes cheese and produces other artisanal foods, blending creativity with hands-on work.
The tour comes as Alex reflects on some of the year’s biggest music moments, including Oasis’ Live ’25 reunion. He praised the Gallaghers for reconnecting on stage. Alex admitted he didn’t attend the reunion tour but remembers seeing them in the early 1990s while touring America. He also mentioned Radiohead returning to live performances, highlighting the joy of seeing iconic bands back in action.
He described the magic of the 1990s Britpop scene with fondness. Affordable instruments and a sense of cheeky adventure allowed bands to thrive. Playing bass, he said, became the one skill he genuinely mastered, while he approached other areas of life more improvisationally.
Britpop Classical started this summer with a premiere at the Big Feastival, performing in front of over 20,000 fans. Alex says the project combines a rock band, full orchestra, and chorus for 90 minutes of music, including classic Blur tracks alongside hits from The Verve, Radiohead, and more. Watching the audience’s emotional response, he felt validated that the ambitious concept had succeeded.
The UK tour dates include major venues such as the Royal Albert Hall in London, Symphony Hall in Birmingham, and O2 Apollo Manchester in March 2026. Summer outdoor dates feature locations like Margate Dreamland and the Latitude Festival. Each show promises to recreate the feeling of Britpop’s golden era with modern orchestral scale.
Alex described the rehearsals as moving, especially when performing songs by artists like The Beatles, David Bowie, and T. Rex. Hearing these classics come alive with an orchestra brought him to tears. For him, the tour represents both nostalgia and a fresh approach to sharing the music he loves.
Beyond music, Alex continues to juggle family life, cheesemaking, and festival planning. He likens his creative work to that of a monk, combining craft and performance. Britpop Classical allows him to channel his passion for music while celebrating the era that defined a generation.
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