Britpop

Britpop was the swaggering, cheeky answer to grunge that lit up the UK in the mid-90s. It was loud guitars, sharper suits, and lyrics that celebrated life in Britain rather than sulking about it. Where Seattle gave the world flannel and angst, London, Manchester, and beyond gave it Union Jack guitars, lad culture, and the kind of sing-along choruses that could fill football terraces.

At the heart of Britpop were rivalries that felt bigger than the music itself. Blur versus Oasis wasn’t just a chart battle; it was working class grit versus art school wit, North versus South, lager versus latte. Fans picked sides, tabloids stoked the fire, and the whole country seemed to stop to watch which band would claim the throne each week.

But Britpop wasn’t only about Blur and Oasis. It was also about Pulp’s witty storytelling, Suede’s glamorous grit, and Elastica’s spiky cool. For a few glorious years, it felt like British guitar bands ruled the world, soundtracking everything from student nights out to political campaigns. It was brash, fun, and fleeting — the perfect pop explosion with an unmistakably British twist.

Start your Britpop journey with Grace Calver.