Blur

When Blur began to take shape in 1988, it wasn't a preconceived britpop band, but rather an experiment that emerged from the university environment. In London, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James, and Dave Rowntree joined forces. Initially known as Seymour, a name that stemmed from a literary hobby of Coxon's, they soon changed their moniker to Blur, driven by the suggestion of Food Records, who were looking for a catchier name. Their first work, Leisure (1991), reflected the influences of the madchester sound and shoegazing. However, the band soon evolved. Inspired by British pop from groups like The Kinks and The Beatles, they took a stylistic turn that led them to release albums such as Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993), Parklife (1994), and The Great Escape (1995). It was during this period that Blur became a pillar of britpop, achieving great popularity in the United Kingdom, partly fueled by the media rivalry with Oasis in 1995, known as "The battle of britpop".

The fifth album, the self-titled Blur (1997), marked another sonic transformation, adopting influences from American indie rock lo-fi. This record propelled them to the top of the British charts for the third time and, with their single "Song 2", they achieved significant recognition in the United States. The following work, 13 (1999), explored territories of electronic music and gospel, featuring more intimate lyrics from Albarn that addressed his personal experiences. Subsequently, Think Tank (2003), their seventh album, continued with electronic experimentation, incorporating elements of world music and a more minimalist approach to guitar. The recording of this last album coincided with the departure of Graham Coxon, leading the band into a period of inactivity after the tour.