HOMEGROWN heroes Blur made a remarkable return to Colchester a year ago, officially kickstarting their comeback with what was their first show in eight years.

Here's a look back at what reporter George King made of the show. 

Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Dave Rowntree and Alex James took to the stage of Colchester Arts Centre ahead of their huge Wembley Stadium gigs in the summer.

During the scaled down but ever-explosive and energetic affair the rock quartet treated just 400 lucky fans to tracks such as There's No Other Way, Parklife, The Universal and Song 2.

Beetlebum, Tender, Coffee and TV, and Girls and Boys were also performed during the 23-song show, much to the delight of the sweaty gig-goers.

Listed: All 23 songs Blur played at their Colchester Arts Centre comeback concert

Newer songs, taken from their forthcoming record The Ballad of Darren, which was announced on the eve of the Colchester show, were also given their live debuts.

St Charles Square, for example, opened the evening, while new single The Narcissist was played during the encore. 

Here are seven photos from Blur's historic Colchester Arts Centre show:
Gazette: Gig - Blur onstage at Colchester Arts Centre Picture: Phoebe FoxGig - Blur onstage at Colchester Arts Centre Picture: Phoebe Fox (Image: Phoebe Fox)

Gazette: Comeback - Blur moments before launching into their opening numberComeback - Blur moments before launching into their opening number (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Energy - Songs such as Parklife and Girls and Boys sent the 400 lucky fans into a frenzyEnergy - Songs such as Parklife and Girls and Boys sent the 400 lucky fans into a frenzy (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Return - Blur's show at Colchester Arts Centre was their first in eight years Picture: Phoebe FoxReturn - Blur's show at Colchester Arts Centre was their first in eight years Picture: Phoebe Fox (Image: Phoebe Fox)

READ MORE: ‘Sorry it took so long’ - Blur return to Colchester with explosive and emotional gig

Gazette: Hits - Slower and more delicate songs such as Tender saw frontan Damon Albarn take to the acoustic guitarHits - Slower and more delicate songs such as Tender saw frontan Damon Albarn take to the acoustic guitar (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Intimate - Blur started their tour of warm-up shows ahead of their Wembley Stadium shows this summer at Colchester Arts Centre, which has a capacity of 400Intimate - Blur started their tour of warm-up shows ahead of their Wembley Stadium shows this summer at Colchester Arts Centre, which has a capacity of 400 (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Legendary - Blur's Colchester Arts Centre gig will go down in music folklore Picture: Phoebe FoxLegendary - Blur's Colchester Arts Centre gig will go down in music folklore Picture: Phoebe Fox (Image: Phoebe Fox)

The high-octane performance, which sold-out within seconds of going on sale, proved particularly sentimental given the band’s connection to Colchester.

Damon and Graham famously met at the Stanway School, while Dave was born in the former town before studying at the Gilberd School and working at Colchester Council.

Speaking during the gig, frontman Damon said: "I don't think we have actually ever played Colchester, so sorry it took us so long.

"It has been an absolute pleasure. You have been a magnificent audience."

Anthony Roberts is the director at Colchester Arts Centre, and the man who oversaw Blur's return to the city.

He said: “Blur are without doubt the biggest celebrities ever to take the stage at our venue.

“The atmosphere of expectation and excitement had been building all day - when they come on it was like pressure cooker exploding. They played all the hits and more.

“Keeping the show secret was a bit of a challenge because with something as big as this the old rumour mill usually gets going pretty quickly.

“Fortunately, Colchester Arts Centre is run with a very small team so that made it a little bit easier.”