Don't you love the way alleged socialists and the community-minded middle classes justify their biggest act of hypocrisy – claiming that they want better education for all, while paying through the nose to send their offspring to private schools? Marcus Brigstocke, a pleasant enough comedian, has been doing a bit of hand wringing, telling this paper last week, "I have ethical problems with it [my choice] but... I think this is the best environment for them". Rich people always use the feeblest excuses to justify paying to segregate their children from the rest.

Blur star turned farmer Alex James is to throw open his Oxfordshire estate to host a music festival.

Blur will "definitely" get back together this year.

Muse and Kasabian were the kings of the Shockwaves NME Awards, but Oasis failed to pick up a single gong despite receiving three nominations.

Tim Walker: 'The filmmakers had something Blur’s previous chroniclers did not: a completed narrative arc'

Blur’s tearful, triumphant return makes this good festival a great one

If Blur's comeback gig is anything to go by, Glastonbury is in for a storming finale tonight

On a high: Blur rise from the ashes (and the odd pot plant) at small show for fans

They created Britpop, could party for England and clashed with Tony Blair. Now Blur have reformed for a major UK tour. Will they put the squabbles and solo projects aside long enough to complete it?

Blur made their first public appearance since reuniting as they collected an award at the Mojo Honours List today.

On previous solo outings, Graham Coxon's penchant for lo-fi American indie-rock and a rather solipsistic, self-pitying worldview has somewhat hobbled his ability to develop significantly as an artist.

Dave Rowntree, 44, is best known as the drummer from Britpop band Blur. He joined the band in 1989, playing with them throughout the 90s and early 2000s. Late last year the band ended their period of hiatus and announced a series of summer 2009 concerts. Outside of Blur, Dave is known for his political activism, his animation, and also for his involvement in the Beagle II mission to Mars. Dave is currently studying to become a solicitor and is supporting the Science: So What? So Everything campaign challenging apathy towards science. direct.gov.uk/sciencesowhat.