One of the most iconic music moments of the '90s is making a comeback—only now, it’s happening under the spotlight of the theatre. British author John Niven is bringing the legendary Blur vs. Oasis showdown to life in a brand-new comedy play set to tour across the UK in 2026.
Titled The Battle, the show opens in February 2026 and revisits that unforgettable week in 1995 when Blur and Oasis released singles on the same day—Blur’s Country House and Oasis’s Roll With It—each gunning for the top of the charts. Blur claimed victory, selling 274,000 copies against Oasis’s 216,000.
John Niven, best known for his sharp wit in novels like Kill Your Friends and O’Brother, makes his theatre debut with this production, directed by award-winning Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story).
Speaking about the project, Niven said: “1995 was a time before TikTok or Spotify—when music was everywhere. It dominated headlines, news broadcasts, even dinner table conversations. That’s the world we want to take you back to.”
Director Matthew Dunster adds: “I remember that week like it was yesterday. Music carried weight, it had passion—just like John’s script. I’m thrilled to be part of a comedy that’s not only hilarious but also digs deep into two of Britain’s most beloved bands.”
Producer Simon Friend recalls how even his sister’s teenage squabbles were soundtracked by the Blur-Oasis debate. “Working with Niven and Dunster feels like the perfect recipe to recreate the chaotic, sweaty summer of ’95,” he says.
The play promises no shortage of outrageous humour and biting one-liners, channeling the energy of a time when Britpop fandom felt more like football rivalry.
Where to Catch The Battle:
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Birmingham Rep: Feb 11 – Mar 7
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Curve Theatre, Leicester: Mar 9 – 14
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Opera House, Manchester: Mar 17 – 21
...with additional stops in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow, and a grand finale in London’s West End.
What the Rock Stars Said Then (and Now):
Back in 1995, Liam Gallagher reflected on the chart battle:
“I wanted that No.1 spot. Roll With It was a banger. I bumped into Alex [James] at a pub to say congrats, and he told me both songs were rubbish. We had a bit of a row… but I gave him a line, and we were cool.”
Blur’s Alex James offered a different view: “Oasis are legends. It was never Blur vs. Oasis—it was Blur and Oasis against the world. We were just mucking about, really.”
As if that weren’t enough nostalgia, Oasis are reportedly reuniting for a hotly anticipated 2025 summer tour and are back in the charts with their classic Some Might Say. Alex James, once again, struck a conciliatory tone: “I’m glad they’ve patched things up. It’s a shame when bands split on bad terms.”
