Live Review: Blur, Jamie T

Overheard on Corner Hotel's rooftop before tonight's show: "Blur fans don't give a shit about Jamie T!" Later, inside Rod Laver Arena, even Mr T's two BV dudes seem embarrassed with the affected British vocals they shout into their respective mics. "Play Sheila," a punter heckles. Old mate on the Corner rooftop was spot on, then. Zombie is the chosen closer.

Neighbours in the crowd have travelled over here from Adelaide to catch Blur and one dude even met three of the band members (all bar Damon, who apparently wasn't on the same flight) at the airport and got shit signed. Well jelly. After a 'Mr Whippy favourites' singalong that culminates in something ridiculous (Teddy Bears' Picnic?), which we all laugh at, Blur stride out looking a tad trepidatious. Damon Albarn empties bottles of water over the crowd (yep, we wear some) and decides he needs more from us, gesturing toward seated peeps in the stands, "...On your arse all night!" during Lonesome Street. Could Alex James BE any more simultaneously becoming and disinterested? His laid-back, swaying bass playing style captivates. Albarn tells us he started writing lyrics for the band's latest album, The Magic Whip, in Australia before they got to Hong Kong, but then (hilariously) adds that the song they're about to play was actually written specifically about Hong Kong. Albarn and James play their guitars back to back, leaning into each other and smiling — the fact that they seem to (almost) like each other is heart-warming for Australian Blur fans who had probably given up hope of ever seeing their idols live again up until quite recently.

Albarn is in a cheeky mood and sits in front of Graham Coxon, pulling faces while strumming during Coffee & TV. Determined not to be put off, the guitarist smiles while singing and the extended crowd chant-off that closes out this standout song from their impressive catalogue has gotta make them feel good up there. Albarn notices a dude in the front row sporting almost a full sleeve of Blur-related tats and says, "Hello!" During a break between songs, Albarn engages in a chat with this dude, asking whether his ink is "a work in progress" then points the mic toward Adam for a response; he uses this opportunity to thank Blur, saying his life would be different without them. All the feels!

The swing in James' bass lines is a rare gift. Coxon takes his specs on and off throughout and they're in place for Thought I Was A Spaceman. Albarn is in fine form and wanders right over to the stands, climbing up to serenade the front rows. He gets obvious enjoyment from introducing Trouble In The Message Centre as another "pre-internet song". Their set includes a lot of material from Blur's excellent new album, but also features smash hits such as the wonderfully lackadaisical There's No Other Way, Beetlebum, Song 2, Girls & Boys and Parklife. During the latter track, a couple of kids, a lady and our tattooed friend Adam are invited up to dance on stage. After the brass section, backing vocalists and extra musicians are introduced, the band actually place arms around shoulders and take a group bow to mark the end of the show (although James is kinda behind the line, like an afterthought). Blur undoubtedly have fun tonight, but after this tour we know Albarn returns to the UK to start work on new Gorillaz material. There's no guarantee we'll get a chance to see these lads live again so this evening's a real treat.

En route to the car, post-show, a fellow concertgoer conducts random surveys: "Hey you! Did you like the concert?" Affirmative. She then seeks clarification, "The whole thing?" For fuck's sake! Buy the new album, luv!