Blur bassist Alex James reveals his monk-like life making cheese, booze and music

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• How a Britpop veteran pivoted from chart battles to orchestral nights
• Britpop Classical: orchestral versions of the era’s biggest songs
• From festival founder to Cotswolds farmer: life off-stage
• Unusual crafts: cheesemaking, brewing and a modern take on monastic life
  • Why these hobbies matter for his art
• Reflecting on musicianship and a career reshaped
• What to expect next: touring, events and collaborations

Alex James has quietly traded the frantic chart wars of the 1990s for a life of festivals, orchestras and country pursuits. Once the steady bass force behind Blur during the Britpop boom, he now splits his time between running events, touring a grand orchestral take on 90s hits, and farming in the Oxfordshire countryside. His reinvention blends music, family life and unexpected crafts.

How a Britpop veteran pivoted from chart battles to orchestral nights

In the 90s, Blur and Oasis dominated British pop culture. Alex James was the bassist driving Blur’s sound through that era. The public rivalry shaped a generation of music fans.

Today James acknowledges the past while moving beyond it. He curates performances that celebrate the era rather than relive the feuds. The renewed interest in 90s rock has even seen Oasis regain momentum, after years of fractured relationships.

Britpop Classical: orchestral versions of the era’s biggest songs

James leads a project called Britpop Classical. It pairs a full orchestra with guest vocalists.

• Expect classics from Blur and Oasis.
• Other bands featured include Pulp and Supergrass.
• Special guests join for unique reinterpretations.

The concerts rearrange familiar tracks into sweeping, cinematic versions. This year marks the first full UK tour for the collective.

From festival founder to Cotswolds farmer: life off-stage

James runs the annual Big Feastival on his 200-acre farm in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. The festival mixes food, family activities and live music.

He balances event planning with hands-on farm duties. The property serves as a creative hub and a quiet counterpoint to touring life. Family plays a central role; he is raising five teenage children on the land.

• Location: Oxfordshire Cotswolds farm, roughly 200 acres.
• Main event: Big Feastival, blending music and gastronomy.
• Family: five teenagers help shape his day-to-day focus.

Unusual crafts: cheesemaking, brewing and a modern take on monastic life

Outside music, James has embraced artisanal hobbies. He has taken up cheesemaking and small-batch brewing.

He frames these pursuits as a return to slow, hands-on work. For him, making food and drink is both practical and meditative.

James likens modern festivals to old religious gatherings. He sees continuity between ritual, music and craft. That comparison fuels his playful claim to a “monk-like” lifestyle.

Why these hobbies matter for his art

• They offer a grounding contrast to touring.
• They create experiences he can bring back to festival planning.
• They keep him connected to local food and community networks.

Reflecting on musicianship and a career reshaped

James often points out how accessible instruments were when he started. That ease helped him find a voice as a musician.

He describes bass playing as a craft he mastered, while other roles have been more improvisational. Still, his curiosity has led him into entirely new fields.

What to expect next: touring, events and collaborations

Plans on the horizon include more dates for Britpop Classical across the UK. Big Feastival remains a seasonal highlight on his calendar.

• Upcoming Britpop Classical tour stops include major UK cities.
• Big Feastival continues to expand its food and music line-up.
• Collaborations with guest singers and orchestral arrangers are ongoing.

James’ journey shows how a public figure from the Britpop era can evolve. Music remains central, but it now sits alongside farming, family and craft.