Alex James has quipped that he is “basically a monk”.
The Blur bassist resides on a picturesque Cotswolds farm with his wife, Claire Neate, and their five children, where he produces his own artisan cheese and craft drinks.
He told the Metro: “I’ve had so many people come to me and say, ‘cheese, music, isn’t that a bit weird?’ But monks sing in the morning and make cheese in the afternoon. I’ve started making booze now as well, another pastime of mine.
“I’ve realised that festivals were all originally religious festivals. So basically, I’m a monk.”
The multi-hyphenate is hitting the road with his Britpop Classical tour next year, and those attending the show, which he debuted at his annual Big Feastival music and food event on his Oxfordshire farm, might need to pack some tissues.
He said: “We do a quick blast of The Beatles, David Bowie, T. Rex, The Kinks, The Who. By the time we get to the orchestral suite, about two thirds of the way through, we just let the orchestra f****** let rip on The Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony and Creep by Radiohead. I noticed I was crying; it was just so emotive.
“I thought, if I feel like that, I think it might work. It was absolutely terrifying stepping up there at Feastival and I literally bet the farm on it, but it totally landed. I could see people crying and that was so f*****g great.”
As well as a symphony orchestra, special guests performing Britpop classics by the likes of Blur, Oasis, Pulp, and Supergrass will include actor and musician Phil Daniels (featured on Blur’s Parklife), Saffron of Republica, and Gary Stringer of Reef.
Alex said in a statement: “Somehow all of these songs mean more to people now than they did when they were first released. They really resonate with my kids’ generation too.
“Bringing them back to life with a symphony orchestra, a kick ass band, some old friends and very special guests totally blew the roof off at Feastival and I absolutely cannot wait to get this show on the road.”
The run will kick off in style at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall on March 11. It will then head to Birmingham, Manchester, Brighton, Nottingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Sheffield.
As well as the dates in March, Britpop Classical will head to Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Halifax’s Piece Hall, Dreamland in Margate, and Latitude Festival 2026.