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British producer and musician William Orbit, whose work reshaped the sound of Madonna, Blur, All Saints and other major artists, has died aged 69.

Blur bassist Alex James will bring his Britpop Classical production to Australia this November, presenting a 90 minute celebration of the songs that defined the British guitar boom of the 1990s. The show combines a rock band, session vocalists and a full symphony orchestra, with music from Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Supergrass, Radiohead and others, reworked for a large scale live production.

Alex James has offered an optimistic assessment of Blur's future, saying the band emerged from the release of The Ballad Of Darren and its subsequent live dates in a stronger position than at any previous point in its history. Speaking to Noise11, Alex James said there are currently no firm plans for the band's next move, but unlike previous album cycles, Blur finished its most recent chapter without any member declaring it was the end.

Alex James says Britpop was less a genre than a moment in time, one shaped by British songwriting traditions and a reaction to changing rock culture. Speaking to Noise11 ahead of the 2026 Australian Britpop Classical tour, the Blur bassist reflected on how the movement emerged and why its music continues to resonate decades later.

Blur bassist Alex James is spotlighting key songs from Blur's catalogue in his Britpop Classical shows, reframing them alongside era-defining anthems as the production heads to Australia.

Blur’s Alex James will lead a full orchestral celebration of Britpop across Australia this November, reworking era-defining songs with symphonic scale and guest collaborators.

Blur don't want to still be a band beyond their "sell-by-date", says drummer Dave Rowntree.