I don't think anyone knew what to expect.  How can the hole that is everyone's favourite bespectacled guitarist be filled?  Well, by an extra percussionist, an ex- Verve member, a keyboard player and backing singers judging by the new look blur which took to the stage at the Astoria.  Like new album 'Think Tank' the set opened with Ambulance, As Damon croons 'I've got nothing to be scared of' the man proves he hasn't.  This incarnation of Blur has more of a swagger about it than the Blur of old, the Gorillaz influence being most evident on the looseness of some of the new tracks.  We were also treated to old classics, Girls and Boys, Beetlebum, Popscene, For Tomorrow, Song 2, some of the greatest pop singles of the last ten years.  Where in the past live Graham felt he had to destroy some of their poppier moments, new guitarist Simon Tong, just put his head down and recreated the glory of the records.  Ending with 'This is a Low' it was a pleasure to be in the company of British legends.

Highlight of the set: Damon getting the crowd to sing Happy Birthday to Dave