Right, don’t get ahead of yourselves, but Noel Gallagher has revealed that he would “never say never” to an Oasis reunion in a recent interview.Battle stations, people…
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester’s Mike Sweeney on Tuesday, the older Gallagher sibling conceded that he could never rule out the very rare possibility of the band getting back together, but clarified that “it would have to take an extraordinary set of circumstances”.
Noel, his brother and the rest of Oasis famously parted ways back in 2009 after the 55-year-old artist and songwriting legend detailed an incident prior to a festival show in Paris, going on to confess that he “simply could not go on” any longer.
The Gallagher boys have been warring ever since and while music lovers have been calling out for a reunion for more than nearly a decade and a half, it’s never really been on the cards. Does this change things?
Liam, 52, famously buried the hatchet (at least on his behalf) years ago, telling 5 News “bring it on” back in 2013″ and insisting that he’s been ready to try and reconcile for some time.
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As recently as February 2022, the iconic and quintessentially Manc lead singer said “we should have never split up” and that he would love for the two to arrive at some kind of resolution.
Back in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, the former Oasis and Beady Eye frontman turned solo artist even ‘demanded’ a reunion with the overarching goal of raising money for the NHS.
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Sadly, Noel never got back to him.
Rite sick of pleading begging etc no more olive branches I DEMAND an oasis reunion after this is all over all money going to NHS c’mon you know As we were LG x
Both artists have gone on to have successful solo careers, playing massive gigs at the likes of Heaton Park, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds as well as Oasis’s spiritual second home, Knebworth.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have also recently released a new single, ‘Easy Now’, announcing that their fourth studio album, Council Skies, is set to release on 2 June. Meanwhile, it looks like Liam has been busy taking digs after his brother split from his wife, Sara MacDonald, after 22 years.
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It might still take a miracle for an Oasis reunion to actually come to fruition but we can dream and this is the first time we’ve heard both brothers say it isn’t entirely off the cards at the same time — and hey, at least we have new music in the meantime.
Not long ago, Liam also explained that Noel no longer speaks to his eldest brother Paul either, stating that he would love for the trio to mend fences for the sake of their mum, Peggy.
In a statement shared today, the Co-op Live said it has been ‘undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans’.
It said that the shows are being rescheduled to ensure they can ‘run safely’.
The 23,500-capacity arena said this will give them ‘the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly’.
The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May, and Peter Kay on 23 and 24 May.
As for the Bolton-born comedian, he sounds somewhat in disbelief himself:
My apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn’t ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience. Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can’t believe it either).
Co-op Live’s statement reads: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.
“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.
“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.
“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause.
“Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”
Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Group
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Co-op Live boss resigns just days before venue’s official opening
Daisy Jackson
The boss of Co-op Live, Manchester’s enormous, ground-breaking new arena, has resigned from his position just days before the venue is set to open.
The enormous music-first arena has been taking shape beside the Etihad Stadium for several years, and was due to welcome its first official audiences this week, but has been hit with last-minute challenges.
And now Co-op Live‘s boss Gary Roden has quit the mammoth project, with the news of his resignation announced late Thursday evening.
Oak View Group, which Co-op Live is part of, said in a statement that they would like to ‘thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans’.
Stepping into his shoes as interim general manager will be Rebecca Kane Burton, who previously ran the U.K.’s highest-grossing venue, London’s The O2 arena.
Gary has previously come under fire for saying that some grassroots music venues ‘poorly run’ – a statement that OVG has now distanced itself from.
A separate statement said that ‘neither Co-op Live nor Oak View Group share the sentiment expressed by former Co-op Live General Manager Gary Roden regarding the grassroots industry’.
It continued: “As OVG Chairman and CEO Tim Leiweke has repeatedly stated, Co-op Live remains committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond, including teaming up with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham on the Artist of the Month campaign, and as a founding partner of Beyond The Music.
“Co-op Live also donates over £1m a year to the Co-op Foundation to support communities and empower young people to take social action through its new Young Gamechangers fund.
“Oak View Group and Co-op Live remain happy to meet with grassroots organisations once the venue is fully operational.”
Co-op Live boss Gary Roden speaking at the launch of Co-op Live just days before he resigned. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Co-op Live in Manchester
The news of the venue’s boss stepping down comes at a time when all eyes are on Co-op Live, the opening of which has been delayed.
The venue did host a test event with Rick Astley last weekend, but even that faced difficulties, with thousands of tickets cancelled to reduce capacity just hours before showtime.
It’s now set to officially open this Saturday 27 April with a performance by rock group The Black Keys.
The full statement from OVG about Gary’s resignation said: “Gary Roden has decided to resign. We’d like to thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans and wish him the best for the future.
“Rebecca Kane Burton has been named Interim GM, effective today. Rebecca is a seasoned veteran of venue management and live entertainment in the UK having served as VP/GM of The O2 from 2012-2016 and CEO of LW Theatres from 2016-2021.
Danny Jones -
18th January 2023 
