Category News

Damon Albarn has admitted Oasis won their long-standing Britpop rivalry, as the band’s 2025 reunion tour draws incredible crowds and praise

Blur frontman Damon Albarn has acknowledged Oasis as the ultimate winners of the long-standing Britpop rivalry, admitting their ongoing reunion tour has firmly placed them back at the top of the music scene.

Speaking about Oasis’ epic comeback, Albarn, 57, reflected on the decades-old competition that defined 1990s British music. “Well, it was obvious, wasn’t it?” he said. “I think we can officially say that Oasis won the battle, the war, the campaign, everything.”

Although Blur famously beat Oasis in the 1995 chart battle with their single Country House, Albarn now believes Gallagher brothers Liam and Noel have claimed the long-term victory.

“They are the winners. They take first place,” he added. “In the face of such overwhelming evidence, I am happy to accept and concede defeat. It’s their summer and God bless them. I hope everyone has a wonderful time but I’m going to be in a very, very different place.”

Blur recently released To The End, a documentary chronicling their 2023 reunion and comeback album The Ballad of Darren. They also played two major shows at London’s Wembley Stadium last summer.

However, Albarn conceded that those performances are being eclipsed by Oasis’s current success. “My two-night stint at Wembley will be dwarfed by their seven,” he told The Sun.

Oasis kicked off their highly anticipated Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour last weekend with two sold-out nights at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The band returned to their hometown of Manchester on July 11 for the first of five major outdoor shows at Heaton Park, which was their first concert in the city since 2009.

Thousands of fans queued at the gates from the early morning hours, with some travelling from as far as Australia and South Korea to witness the historic performance. The show attracted over 80,000 attendees and featured some of the largest on-stage screens ever used in a UK concert.

One emotional moment from the Manchester concert has since gone viral on social media. A video captured a group of concertgoers lifting a disabled fan named Daniel above the crowd so he could see the stage. He attended the show with his sister Jemma, but was unable to get accessible tickets.

A woman who shared the video on TikTok wrote: “This is Daniel – he went to night one of @Oasis with his brilliant sister Jemma… A lady got our attention and started asking around to see who could help – she was brilliant!”

She added: “This was Daniel’s first concert, he had a fantastic time. Music brought everyone together once again.”

Oasis’s return marks their first tour in two decades and has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, as fans around the world celebrate the band’s long-awaited comeback as they belt out their classic songs including Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back In Anger.

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Maura Higgins swears by this Sol de Janeiro body oil for her glowy holiday skin

Love Island viewers reacted to a scene involving Andrada Pop and Meg Moore on tonight’s episode of the ITV2, with the two islanders seen in a tense exchange in the villa

Love Island viewers were divided over an islander on the latest episode, with some suggesting that they had made a mark on the reality TV show. Others weren’t impressed though following tension in the villa after movie night.

The latest episode of the ITV2 show included the aftermath of Meg Moore having been given a glimpse into Dejon Noel-Williams’ relationship with Andrada Pop whilst he was in Casa Amor. The situation left Meg upset and she confronted Dejon, whom she recently became ‘exclusive’ with.

Later in the evening, Meg and Dejon were seen in a tense discussion inside the Love Island villa. Andrada, who is coupled-up with Ben Holbrough, appeared to be listening from a room nearby as she told some of her co-stars: “Shh shh.”

Meg later heard about it and confronted Andrada. She told her: “Don’t be in here saying ‘shush’ to hear my conversation with D.” Andrada was then seen saying: “Pipe down, who’d you think you’re shouting at?” Meg replied: “You!”

Andrada asked: “What’s wrong with you?” Meg reacted: “What is right with you?” She added: “Don’t be saying ‘shush’ to try and listen to my argument.” Andrada questioned: “Why is it a big deal that I said ‘shush’? Why are you so hurt by it?”

The pair continued to engage with each other, with Andrada saying at one point: “I don’t understand why you’re shouting at me.” Meg responded: “You’re shouting at me!” Meg went on to share her thoughts with Dejon, whilst away from Andrada, saying: “I just told her to mind her own business.”

As Meg walked into the bedroom, Andrada was talking to Tommy Bradley about having previously listened to the couple arguing. She: “I didn’t say anything bad.” Meg went on to tell her: “End of convo right now. You’re speaking to the whole f***ing villa!”

Andrada took issue with being hold by Meg to stop speaking about it. She added: “I don’t deserve for somebody to come scream at me for no f***ing reason. I didn’t say anything bad.” Meg, sat on the bed next to her, replied: “Hun, I’m here.” Andrada replied by saying that she wasn’t speaking to Meg though.

They resumed their disagreement and was seen in another tense exchange. Toni Laites said at one point: “Everyone shut the f*** up!” Andrada later said: “She’s going through it and she’s letting it out on other people.” Meg said: “Babe, you’re still talking in front of my face.” As they continued to bicker, Ben held Andrada back in bed as she told Meg: “Take a breather.”

Some fans suggested that Andrada was making compelling TV, with one writing on X: “Andrada is tv gold. keep her in the villa.” Another said: “Andarna u have entered the hall of fame.”

A third viewer wrote: “Whoever found Andrada dead a raise, non stop entertainment.” Another said: “Andrada is tv gold.” Sharing their thoughts, one fan said: “OMG … this episode is giving S3 days …Andrada was ready to SCRAP…Now this is what you call TV!”

Others however weren’t impressed by his behaviour. One said: “This is not entertainment, they are all being horrible to Meg and you need to sort those girls out. They are mean girls it’s utter disgraceful.” Another wrote: “Andrada doing WAY too much. we can see straight through you babe.”

Someone said: “Not sure this spin off series is working, think Argument Island is a one series wonder.” Another person wrote: “Andrada proving Ben right, minutes after their chat. She loves to be up in everyone’s business.”

Evan Rachel Wood played Sandra Bullock’s character’s daughter in the 1998 romantic fantasy movie, but her offer to star in the upcoming sequel in any capacity was declined

With Practical Magic confirmed for a sequel in 2026, both of its lead actresses, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock will return as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens. But Evan Rachel Wood, who played Sally’s daughter Kylie Owens in the 1998 movie, will not reprise her role, with the actress being spectacularly snubbed by producers.

Despite her character still playing a part in the upcoming film, her role has been recast, according to the Westworld star, 37. The actress announced the news on Instagram Stories, typing out a post to explain her absence from the next instalment of the beloved story.

The actress wrote: “I am getting asked about this a lot, so l’ll just clear it up now; I was not asked to come back and be in the #PracticalMagic sequel. l offered my services, even if it was one scene or one line.”

She continued: “I was told they are re-casting. I am sorry to disappoint the fans. It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters.”

In the movie, her character Kylie and her younger sister Antonia go to live with their aunts after their father dies. But it seems bosses have already picked out Wood’s replacement.

Deadline reports that 25-year-old American actress Joey King will take on the role of Kylie Owens. Joey, who portrayed Gypsy Rose Blanchard in Hulu’s series The Act, is set to join Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams as part of the renewed cast.

In February this year, Nicole, 58, remained tight-lipped about the progress of the new film, which is expected to drop in 2026. Chatting with Variety, she said it was “moving ahead rapidly.”

But when pressed for details about a script, she told the interviewer: “I’m not answering anymore, you can ask Sandy.” Presumably referring to her co-star Sandra Bullock, she added: “I love Sandy!”

When asked when she would start shooting, she again refused to answer. Nicole prompted the interviewer to “ask Sandy, my beautiful Sandy.”

When asked if she ever thought she would be doing a sequel to Practical Magic, she cryptically answered: “Well were not doing it yet,” adding again it was “moving ahead rapidly, just needs a little magic.”

Nicole Kidman confirmed the news of the much-awaited sequel last year, revealing that she and co-star, and close friend, Sandra Bullock would be once again joining forces once again. In an interview with People magazine, Nicole dished: “Yes I will be in it. And Sandy will be in it. And that’s that.”

She added: “There’s a lot more to tell which is why we go, ‘OK, this is kind of interesting now to be able to do this.'”

Kidman also hinted at the creative process, saying, “(We) found a way in.” The buzz around the sequel grew when Warner Bros. teased fans with a social media post after the film hit streaming services, referencing the iconic “midnight margaritas” scene.

The filmmakers said in a statement: “Twenty-five years ago, Sally, Gillian, Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny flew off the pages of Alice Hoffman’s beloved novel and into theaters around the world, and we are thrilled to bring the Owens family back to the big screen with Joey, Lee, Maisie, Solly and Xolo joining the next chapter in our story.”

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

READ MORE: Sol de Janeiro drops new ‘must-have’ body care trio that shoppers call a ‘perfect travel luxury’