When Simon Met

Blur's Alex James joins Simon to talk about Britpop Classical, the acclaimed live show that reimagines the biggest Britpop anthems with a full orchestra.
Best known as the bassist with Blur, Alex reflects on the enduring appeal of Britpop, the stories behind some of the era's most iconic songs, and what audiences can expect when Britpop Classical comes to Southampton on 13 June 2026.
From the legacy of Blur and the Britpop movement to bringing classic 90s tracks to life in a completely new way, this is a fascinating conversation with one of British music's most recognisable figures.
🎵 In this interview:
The inspiration behind Britpop Classical
Alex's memories of the Britpop era
Why these songs continue to resonate today
What makes the live show so special
What audiences can expect in Southampton

Simon caught up with indie newcomers Hot Sauce to talk all about supporting McFly at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton — one of the biggest moments in their journey so far!
We discuss the build-up to the show, what playing such a huge venue means to them, their music, their influences, and what’s next for the band.
Watch the full interview and get to know one of the indie scene’s exciting rising acts.

One of the most chaotic and enjoyable interviews ever!

In this exclusive interview, Simon caught up with Callum from Blueboard Productions takes us behind the scenes of their latest film Going Dutch. Callum shares the inspiration behind the story, the creative process that brought it to life, and the challenges he faced along the way. This conversation offers a deeper look at the vision driving the film. Whether you're a film enthusiast or just curious about what goes into making a modern production, this interview gives an engaging glimpse into the world of Going Dutch.

In this episode of When Simon Met, Simon sits down with Frank Turner and Jaret Reddick from Bowling for Soup for a hilarious and brutally honest chat ahead of their upcoming joint tour.They dive into what fans can expect from the tour, life on the road, and how two very different musical worlds collide on stage. Things quickly go off the rails as they debate the true greatness (or not) of KFC and Domino's, share some questionable food choices, and swap stories about gigs gone wrong.There’s also talk of that moment in Southampton—including a bit of chaos, a bit of fighting, and the kind of behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.Expect laughs, tour banter, and plenty of unexpected tangents.Topics include:The upcoming Frank Turner x Bowling for Soup tourFast food arguments Tour life stories & disastersSouthampton chaos & fightsMusic, friendship, and everything in between👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of When Simon Met!