Britpop wonders Blur are set to be honoured with their own ‘blue plaque’ on the site of their first ever show.
Blur emerged from Colchester as a shambling indie rock outfit. Changing their name to Blur the group took on board a number of psychedelic influences and became part of the baggy movement.
However there was always too much individuality in the group to be hemmed in by any tag or genre. Damon Albarn began crafting a suitably British pop sensibility, which influenced over ten years of indie music.
Reforming this year for a number of shows, Blur retraced those vital early steps. Returning for the first time in some six years the band played Colchester’s East Anglian Railway Museum – the site of their first ever show.
Now the museum is set to be honoured with a new ‘blue plaque’ celebrating its role in British music. The new scheme has been set up by Performance Rights Society For Music, and will re-trace the steps of many other seminal groups.
For now, though, the attention is on Blur. The tiny room hosted their first ever show, with Blur failing to pack out the 150 capacity venue. When the band returned earlier this year they had more than enough fans and well wishers to fill the Colchester hall.
Since completing their re-union Blur have gone their separate ways, with Damon Albarn working on a new Gorillaz album as well as another opera. Drummer Dave Rowntree, meanwhile, is attempting to stand for parliament.
The new plaque will be unveiled at a ceremony on November 30th. It is not known is any members of Blur will be present.
