IT'S official… Blur will be returning to Colchester for a special one-off gig.

The band, which has firm roots in Colchester, will be coming back to the city for the first of four warm-up shows ahead of a European tour in the summer.

Fans will have two opportunities to secure tickets for the gig at Colchester Arts Centre, in Church Street, which is set for Friday, May 19.

The venue’s boss, Anthony Roberts, said it’s the biggest gig in its 43-year history.

Gazette: Homecoming - Blur has firm roots in ColchesterHomecoming - Blur has firm roots in Colchester (Image: Kevin Westenberg)

How can I get tickets for Blur’s Colchester concert?

Colchester Arts Centre has a capacity for 400 standing music lovers, so if you’ve got your heart set on going, you’ll have to be prepared.

Blur fans will have their first opportunity to try and secure tickets in an exclusive pre-sale tomorrow.

Pre-sale access is given to members of Blur’s mailing list and begins at 10am tomorrow, April 26.

If you miss out on the pre-sale, the general sale will open at 10am on Friday. A maximum of two tickets will be available for each customer.

To join Blur’s mailing list and to find out more information about ticketing, visit blur.co.uk.

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Why is Blur coming to Colchester?

Nigel Hildreth, a retired music teacher who taught two members of the band at Stanway School, has kept in touch with his former pupils.

Having spoken with Colchester Art Centre’s Anthony Roberts, Mr Hildreth approached the band to ask if they’d do a homecoming show at the venue to celebrate Colchester gaining city status.

Gazette: Proud teacher - Nigel Hildreth taught two members of Blur at Stanway SchoolProud teacher - Nigel Hildreth taught two members of Blur at Stanway School

The members of Blur were only too happy to agree, especially as the gig coincides with two huge shows at Wembley Stadium, London, on July 8 and 9.

Mr Hildreth, who now sits on the board of Colchester Arts Centre, said: “It’s great they’re doing this. They’ve been back to Colchester before in the 90s for a charity concert at Colchester Sixth Form College, so there’s a precedent but I didn’t know they’d agree to this one.”

Who are the members of Blur?

Blur’s frontman Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, and drummer Dave Rowntree all grew up in Colchester, with Damon and Graham first meeting as teenagers at Stanway School.

Gazette: Star - Damon Albarn recently performed at CoachellaStar - Damon Albarn recently performed at Coachella (Image: PA)

Graham later introduced Dave to Damon and bassist Alex James, and together they formed Blur, releasing their debut album, Leisure, in 1991.

Since then, they went on to have five successive UK number-one albums and a string of top ten singles, including Country House and Beetlebum which reached the top spot.

Together they’ve collected ten NME awards, six Q awards, five BRIT awards, and an Ivor Novello award.

Their London show on July 8 sold out in minutes with fans faring to see the band come together again to perform their iconic and much-loved songs at their first-ever Wembley Stadium appearance.