Music legend Morrissey has criticised Capitol Records for promoting Sam Smith’s divisive new material whilst refusing to support his.
The former Smiths frontman turned controversial solo artist parted company with Capitol at the end of 2022 after they refused to release his latest album, Bonfire of Teenagers, the name and title track of which centre around the Manchester Arena attack.
Back in December, Morrissey‘s team said he had “voluntarily withdrawn” from all association with the company and now believes that they may have signed on for the record in order to ‘sabotage’ it.
Now, following the release of Sam Smith’s latest album and his much-talked-about live performance at the Grammys, the Manchester local has taken aim at his former employers for promoting Smith’s ‘satanism’. In case you haven’t seen what he and many others are discussing at the minute, here it is:
“Capitol Records (Los Angeles) proudly promotes Sam Smith’s ‘satanism’; yet they consider the honest truth of Morrissey’s factual ‘Bonfire of Teenagers‘ to be their biggest threat and they will not release it despite their contractual obligation and promise to do so.”
Morrissey’s album was due to release this month and included a number of collaborators such as Chad and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iggy Pop and Miley Cyrus.
However, following the backlash after performances and the lyrics from the lead single were shared online, Cyrus (who provided backing vocals on the track) asked for her contributions to be removed.
Capitol ultimately decided they were no longer willing to publish the album knowing that the subject matter could cause distress and further controversy. The Davyhulme-born musician is no stranger to causing a stir.
As a result, the record still remains unreleased despite Morrissey alleging that the label are in breach of their contract and accusing them of hypocrisy.
Much like the discussion surrounding Sam Smith’s Grammys performance, we suspect this is a situation that won’t be resolved any time soon.
Drinks prices for Manchester Oasis gigs announced – and you’ll be pleasantly surprised
Daisy Jackson
The prices of drinks at Heaton Park for the five huge Manchester Oasis shows have been released in advance.
With the Gallagher brothers reuniting on stage in their hometown for the first time this weekend (and then again next week), it’s a huge moment for our city.
Those lucky enough to snag tickets have already forked out a small fortune to witness this moment in history (still scarred from the dynamic pricing debacle).
And most of us were probably bracing to spend another small fortune on beers at the Oasis Manchester gigs.
But you might be pleasantly surprised at the drinks prices up at Heaton Park for Oasis Live ’25.
It’s now been confirmed that pints of lager and cider will be just £6.50.
Before you turn your nose up, remember that pints at our two arenas – the AO Arena and Co-op Live are now sitting around the £9 mark.
Prices for other drinks, like wine and spirits, we’ll have to wait until Friday to see.
Heaton Park will also be the home of the ‘largest beer garden’ and the longest bars in the city for the Oasis reunion.
With a major heatwave predicted for the first shows, fans are being encouraged to stay hydrated (on WATER, not beer, please).
Ticket-holders will be allowed to bring a sealed bottle of water up to 500ml in with you, but it must be collapsible plastic.
Solid plastic and metal containers will be rejected on safety grounds.
There’s a free water point on site where you can fill up your bottles again.
Oasis will perform at Heaton Park in Manchester on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
Stage times confirmed for Oasis Live ’25 at Heaton Park in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Oasis will finally return to Manchester for five massive hometown gigs this week – and stage times for their Heaton Park show have been confirmed.
The Gallagher brothers have already reunited for two gigs in Cardiff ahead of their Manchester shows.
Oasis will be performing in Heaton Park on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 of July, with support from long-time friends Richard Ashcroft and Cast.
With about 80,000 people expected to flock to the fields for the Oasis Live ’25 shows, there’s a lot of planning going on behind the scenes.
And the stage times for the Oasis Manchester gigs have just been confirmed by the band.
Oasis will be taking to the stage at 8.15pm, and with a 10.30pm curfew, that’s around two hours of glorious Gallagher hits.
Gates to Heaton Park open at 3pm and organisers are expecting large crowds – they’re encouraging fans to allow plenty of time for travel and arrive early.
As a reminder, there are shuttle buses running directly from Lever Street to Heaton Park from 1.30pm, but these are almost sold out.
You can also get tickets for Big Green Coach here, or use trams from Victoria Station up to the venue.
Confirmed stage times for Oasis at Heaton Park, Manchester
Danny Jones -
16th February 2023 
