Britpop band Blur performs for enthusiastic crowd at Lokerse Feesten

Blur, the iconic Britpop band, performed on the fifth day of the Lokerse Feesten on Tuesday. Despite the rain, the crowds thoroughly enjoyed the headliner's closing act.

Blur was last in Belgium in 2013 for the Rock Werchter festival. The band, consisting of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bass guitarist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree performed for an enthusiastic crowd, happy to see their return to Belgium.

Their mix of hits such as There's No Other Way and Beetlebum and a new song St. Charles Square helped distract concert-goers from the rain. Albarn even joked about England and Belgium's comparable weather saying, "You guys complain that it's always raining here lately, but we're used to it. Actually, it's just getting more British now. Ironic, given the circumstances (Brexit, ed.)."

Blur released their long-awaited new album, The Ballad of Darren, a little over two weeks ago but only performed a few songs from it on Tuesday. The lead single, The Narcissist, was played just before the closing track The Universal, which has become an instant hit. The fans only hope Blur will not wait another decade to return.

Earlier in the evening, Baxter Dury and Hot Chip also performed on the main stage of the Grote Kaai in Lokeren. Despite their colourful outfits, including a pink cowboy hat, the Electropop band Hot Chip had difficulty warming up the crowd and making them forget the weather conditions. They got things moving with their hit Ready for the Floor and continued with their other sing-along, Over and Over.

The Lokerse festival continues until Sunday, 13 August. The lineup over the coming days includes Cypress Hill, Wilco, Skunk Anansie, Metejoor and Tiësto.

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