Damon Albarn reveals he was ‘terrified’ of Tony Blair and thinks Russell Brand is ‘a little naive’

Blur frontman spoke politics and the anti-Iraq war march in new Channel 4 interview

Blur frontman Damon Albarn has spoken about politics in a new TV interview.

Albarn, whose band released their first album in 12 years in April, discussed his participation in the anti-Iraq war protests and meeting former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

READ: NME‘s Review of Blur’s New Album ‘The Magic Whip’

Advertisement

On Blair, Albarn said, “I met Tony Blair and had a sort of premature insight into the dark mechanics of politics and at that point I honestly felt terrified about Tony Blair.” He continued, “I picked up on something kind of odd about him that I didn’t understand. I was a bit scared of him, if I’m honest with you.”

Albarn also revealed that he voted for Labour in the recent UK General Election, but didn’t side with the party back in 1997 – when Blair successfully ran for office.

Elsewhere in the interview for Channel 4 News, Albarn discussed his thoughts on famed non-voter Russell Brand (“I’m not going to be a Russell Brand hater because I think his heart is in the right place. I think sometimes his methodology is a little naive”), as well calling the UK “an interesting multicultural experiment” that needs to “nurture” its diversity and be “positive instead of aggressive”. Watch the full interview below.

Meanwhile, Blur are set to launch their very own brand of ice cream, selling their ‘Magic Whip’ product at upcoming UK dates, as well as at selected Co-Operative stores, from June.

Blur are set to play intimate UK headline shows in Wolverhampton, Glasgow, Blackpool and Llandudno. The gigs will act as warm-up for the band’s headline set at the Isle Of Wight festival. Blur will also headline British Summer Time in London’s Hyde Park on June 20.

Advertisement

Scroll below for a video interview of Blur discussing the making of their new album ‘The Magic Whip’.

READ MORE: The Stories Behind 24 Of Blur’s Greatest Tracks

Blur will play the following UK headline dates:

Wolverhampton Newhampton Arts Centre (June 6)
Glasgow Barrowlands (9)
Blackpool Empress Ballroom (10)
Llandudno Cymru Arena (11)

You May Also Like

Advertisement

TRENDING

Advertisement

More Stories