Review The Battle Blur Vs Oasis National Tour

Last night I spent a sunny spring evening at the Opera House, Manchester, watching The Battle, a play set in 1995 that highlights the much documented Blur vs Oasis race for the top of the charts.

Now I remember this well, I guess not something I should shout about, being as this was now over 30 years ago! But this was the era when we bought a house and lived in London as a Southerner with a Northern Husband, the events struck a chord. The North-South divide back then was so much bigger.

What Is The Battle About

If you remember the 90s, you’ll know that Britpop wasn’t just music; it was a full-on cultural event. And at the heart of it was the legendary rivalry between Blur and Oasis. The story takes us back to the summer of 1995, when both bands released singles on the same day. Blur’s Country House went head-to-head with Oasis’s Roll With It, sparking what became known as the “Battle of Britpop.”

It wasn’t just about music; it was about ego, pride, regional rivalries, and the media having a field day. The whole nation was watching, almost like football fans cheering for their team.

The play captures the chaos, the backstage drama, and the media circus with a wicked sense of humour. It dives into the personalities of the bands, their friends, and everyone caught up in the frenzy, showing that behind the music, there was plenty of tension, competition, and yes, hilarious arguments.

My Review of the Battle

The Battle is not a musical but a play, a comedy-fuelled time machine that plunges you straight into the 90s, full of sharp dialogue, witty chaos, and nostalgia for anyone who remembers the Britpop era.

You have to remember this was in a day when there was no social media, and only the press made it their job to take others down in print. Normal people didn’t take each other down publicly, and then this happened, and a large percentage of the country was gripped by it. You were called to announce if you were Team Blur or Team Oasis, or even worse, Team Take That! I sat on the fence, and I worked with people who were outraged; it almost wasn’t allowed.

I loved this play; the set was quite stark, but it did a good job of setting the scene. It’s all about the fabulous cast (too many to mention), and the story, and that is just brilliant. There’s no pretty dressing up; it’s harsh, unfiltered and funny, definitely not one for the kids, but it’s real and tells the story almost how I remember it from the outside. So seeing a version of the inside is intriguing.

Where Can You See The Battle

The Battle is playing at the Opera House, Manchester, until Saturday, the 21st March. Don’t miss it, it’s excellent.

Disclaimer: I was gifted the tickets, but a review is optional. However, all opinions are my own. Check out where to park near the Opera House Manchester.