An unforgettable moment unfolded at Wembley Stadium as Damon Albarn, the frontman of Blur, astounded the audience by donning a meticulously crafted replica Fila tracksuit jacket. The distinctive red and black coat achieved legendary status after its prominent appearance in the band’s 1994 chart-topper, “Girls and Boys.”
During the Britpop heyday of the 1990s, Fila, the Italian sportswear manufacturer, became inextricably linked with Blur, and the vintage 1980s Fila Velour tracktop became the ultimate must-have item for devoted fans. Recently, Albarn has witnessed a resurgence in Fila fashion, frequently taking the stage in tracksuit tops and adorning himself with vintage poloshirts from the brand.
As Blur took the stage at Wembley, anticipation soared among the fans, particularly when the 55-year-old frontman vanished momentarily during the performance of “Girls and Boys,” only to reemerge sporting the timeless Fila top. Addressing the enthralled crowd, Albarn remarked, “So, I mean, for those who care, this is the original Fila – well, it’s not the original, we couldn’t find it – thank you to Fila for recreating it. What a wonderful thing to lose something and have a whole business recreate it.”
Having soared to the pinnacle of fame during the Britpop movement, Blur mesmerized a staggering 140,000 attendees over two nights at Wembley, marking their triumphant return to headlining shows in the United Kingdom after a hiatus since 2015. The band, comprised of Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James, and drummer Dave Rowntree, is now poised to unleash their highly anticipated ninth studio album.
Reflecting on the opportunity to perform before the Wembley crowd, Albarn expressed his gratitude, telling ITV News, “It’s amazing for Graham and me to sit here, having started off in our little humble Portakabin in Colchester at the age of 12 and to be here, thank you very much, everybody.”