With a swift slide tackle or two James snatched one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most coveted titles away from Blur last weekend in London.
In an embarrassing 7-0 victory, the British sextet defeated reigning champions Blur in the fourth annual “Music Industry Soccer Six” — the sporting match dubbed as a cross between Wembley and Woodstock that has featured famous footballers like Oasis, Pulp, Jamiroquai and the Sneaker Pimps.
Approximately 35,000 fans packed London’s Mile End Stadium last Sunday to watch the U.K.’s most celebrated musicians, their managers and roadies suit up in shin guards and goofy jerseys, and slug it out on the pitch. In a round-robin championship, Blur crushed the Levellers in the quarterfinals and Reef in the semifinals before facing James in the final match. “The Six Ego Have Landed” — featuring Leeroy Thornhill of the Prodigy — fell to the trophy-toting James in the semifinals as well.
This year’s notable participants also include Liam Gallagher, the British alternative group Space, the Top 10 trio Stereophonics and Finlay Quaye.
Last year’s event, which crowned Blur as the winner, raised about 10,000 pounds for the Help a London Child charity, according to Mark Abery of CUP Promotions. This year’s figures have not been tabulated yet.
CUP promotions is also circling the globe on a comical jaunt with heavy metal pioneers Iron Maiden as they battle international soccer teams during an odd promotional tour for their come-back release, Virtual XI, Abery told JAMTV on Thursday. CUP also coordinates Def Leppard’s annual charity soccer match, “Stars Cup,” which pits film, television and music celebrities against each other.
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