Born-again rockers Blur marked their return to the music scene yesterday (June 20) with a homecoming gig at this year's British Summer Time.
The Britpop favourites, whose spats with Oasis characterised the British guitar music scene in the 90s, played a career-spanning set at London's Hyde Park, involving frontman Damon Albarn handing out ice creams to the crowd.
And there was a cameo for British actor and former EastEnders star Phil Daniels, who bounded on to the stage to reprise his role as narrator for the 1994 hit Parklife.
Albarn, in a trademark Fred Perry polo shirt, appeared emotional throughout the 23-song set, flailing his arms to pump up the crowd before simply standing still and gazing at the tens of thousands screaming lyrics back at him.
The packed out crowd enjoying Blur in Hyde Park yesterday. (c.) Yui Mok/PA Wire
He said: "Thanks so much for coming back to see us again. It's great to be back in Hyde Park. It's like home - well, it is home really.
"I love it here. I really love it here."
The band were appearing three years after their last Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park gig, to coincide to with the end of the Olympics.
The set also marked the first London festival appearance since the release of latest album The Magic Whip in April - their first record as a four-piece in 12 years.
The band opened with Go Out - lead single off the new record - before Albarn distributed ice creams to members of the crowd on the front row from a van parked on stage after the second song, There's No Other Way.
Singalongs followed with the likes of Tender, End Of A Century and Song 2.
The show closed with The Universal.
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