Oasis and Blur are coming to Wales next year
The great Oasis vs Blur Britpop war of the mid-90s is set to be reignited in Wales next year.
The infamous chart showdown known as the ‘Battle of Britpop’, was a period of intense rivalry between the two British bands in the mid-1990s, framed as Northerners Oasis v Southerners Blur, when both outfits released singles on the same day in August 1995.
While Blur’s ‘Country House’ outsold Oasis’ ‘Roll With It’ that week, Oasis achieved greater commercial success in the long run with their album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?.
Blur may have won the battle but Oasis won the war.
Now, 2026 will be the year when we get to see the two legendary bands taking to the stage at an iconic Welsh venue.
Just as Oasis kicked off their all-conquering UK tour with two unforgettable nights at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, a new theatre show about the Britpop battle is to receive its world premiere in the Welsh capital, prior to its West End run.
‘The Battle’ which is coming to the Wales Millennium Centre will star Gavin and Stacey’s Mathew Horne as the music industry executive who kicked off the race to No 1. between the two bands.
The synopsis for the show, which is written by John Niven and directed by Matthew Dunster, reads:
London, 1995. Two of the country’s biggest bands release singles on the same day, commencing the battle of Britpop.
On one side, clean-cut, art-school intellectuals from the South. On the other: raw and unapologetic lads from the North. Rivalries flare, friendships fracture and at the centre of it all a mania that would define an era – were you Blur or Oasis?
From the chaos of the Brit Awards to the infamous chart war, The Battle is a wickedly funny dive into one of the greatest rivalries in rock history. Featuring legendary personalities and unforgettable clashes, it was never just about the music, but power, pride, and uncontrollable competitiveness.
Expect filthy language and razor-sharp dialogue in this cut-throat new comedy that puts you right at the heart of the feuding, the fame, and the fallout.
Get ready to roll with it.
The Battle is at the Wales Millennium Centre from 8 April to 2 May.
To find out more and to buy tickets click HERE
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The juxtaposition of these two bands doesn’t make sense anymore and paysBlur an unearned compliment. By that I mean Oasis have over 30 Million listeners on Spotify – they are still incredibly relevant. While Blur have just over 10 Million. Oasis won the war
Went to see Oasis this summer, awesome live. Liam’s voice in fine fettle… But Blur deserve the plaudits. The first five tracks on last year’s ‘The Ballad of Darren’ are beautiful and poignant… Oasis have not released a decent album this millennium, and Noel and Liam’s solo stuff is shoddy. Damon Albarn has done Gorillaz etc… The massive streams are for the Oasis old stuff, in the main. No bad thing… Their early stuff is “incredibly relevant”, but Blur/Albarn have much more recent relevance… Talking of winning a pop war is silly, I think we’ve all grown up since the… Read more »
you are either Oasis thicko fighting drunks, or Blur ….intelligent, meaningful, thought provoking and kind.
Went to Manchester to see Oasis. 80,000 there. No fighting, interesting conversations with three generations of family from Leeds, and two very exuberant Norwegians… try reading John Robb’s Oasis book, to understand where they came from. Dya Know what I mean?
John Robb’s book is brilliant.
#BeKind