Blur are the latest band to announce a bumper standalone gig in our capital this summer. Damon Albarn and co. will play their first Irish gig since a headline slot at the 2009 Oxegen when they play an outdoor show at the Irish Museum of Modern Arts in Kilmainham on 1st August next.

The Londoners have scooped just about every award going in their history and last year closed the London Olympics with a massive performance in Hyde Square. The IMMA date is just one of several high profile shows that Blur have scheduled for this year, with Rock Werchter, Primavera and the Coachella festivals also on their to-do list.

Blur are the latest act named to play Ireland over what will be a very busy summer period over the next few months. Blur, The National, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Rihanna, Eminem, Robbie Willliams among the big names confirmed for standalone shows in this country, while Kraftwerk, Phoenix, Modest Mouse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs are among the names confirmed for the inaugural Longitude Festival.

With Forbidden Fruit and Electric Picnic still to name their (though some of the above wouldn't be considered for festivals of the nature of B&S and E.P.) it makes you wonder just who will be on the bill when they make their announcement - and will the music-buying public in this country have enough cash in their wallets to afford it?

Tickets for the show will go on sale from 9am on Thursday 7th March, priced at €62.50.