Noel Gallagher has given his first major interview since the long-dreamt-of Oasis reunion tour began this summer, and it’s quite surreal to hear some of the candid commentshe made in his most recent talkSPORT appearance.
Appearing on a radio show this week, the world-famous Mancunian songwriter spoke with lead anchor and friend, Andy Goldstein, as well as guest host Darren Bent, on how the tour has gone so far, even addressing talk of more shows next year.
Steady, let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet…
Nevertheless, the clip of the rather off-the-cuff chat quickly went viral online, with the elder Gallagher brother beginning by stating that “it’s difficult to put into words”, joking that he’s “not usually” short for them – and that’s just the intro.
"I'm completely blown away."
"It's difficult to put into words. It's been truly amazing."
Noel Gallagher speaks on being 'blown away' on the response to Oasis' reunion gigspic.twitter.com/m8aKCCAoOb
As he goes on to explain, each night of the Live ’25 tour has had that element of “the first time”, especially given that each set of fans inside the various arenas each night is genuinely ending their 16-year wait every time they step out on stage.
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But, most notably, it’s what Noel goes on to say about his brother Liam that has been lapped up on social media, and it’s not hard to see why.
After being probed by Goldstein on what it’s like to be back playing with him post-reconciliation, the 58-year-old admitted, “It’s just great being back in the band with Liam” and the rest of the boys.
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Perhaps most surprisingly, Noel went on to say: “Liam‘s smashing it […] I’m proud of him”, confessing that he doesn’t think he can deliver that same level of stadium-size frontman energy night after night.
One part that particularly moved us and millions of others online was the moment he simply said, “I forgot how funny he was.”
We’re not crying, you are.
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👏 "It's great being back in the band with Liam. He forgot how funny he was."
While he wouldn’t be drawn into any overly emotional talk about reuniting with his previously estranged sibling and bandmate, reiterating that there are just not those kinds of people, you could clearly hear how touched the Manc music legend has been by the whole experience already.
Conceding that “when it’s all said and done, we’ll sit back and reflect on it”, the images of him welling up mid-song, laughing and joking with Liam, dancing with Bonehead as they play guitar opposite each other, and so many other moments paint a thousand words.
The reaction from fans has been just as wholesome and heartwarming, too; some joked that “the planet has well and truly healed”, another said, “You have no idea how happy this makes me,’ and one went so far as to say ‘I’ve never heard him talk about Liam like this.”
You can hear everything from the Oasis-related section of Noel Gallagher’s most recent talkSPORT interview in full down below:
We’ve heard Noel talking about Liam before, and multiple times in talkSPORT appearances, but he’s never given an interview like this.
Featured Images — Raph_PH (via Flickr)/Publicity Picture
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‘Hefty’ Foo Fighters ticket prices for surprise Manchester gig divide opinion
Danny Jones
Foo Fighters fans, gig-goers and all-round music lovers in general have been left up in arms after the legendary American rock band announced some surprise shows in the UK and Ireland – including here in Manchester – as ticket prices have labelled ‘shameful’ by some.
In case you missed the news that sent us here in Manchester and all over the nation into bedlam, Foo Fighters recently revealed they would be playing just a handful of shows up and down the country, all at smaller venues than their usual arena tour dates.
Sharing the news fairly last-minute over the weekend, with tickets going on sale this past Sunday and (shock) selling out almost immediately, many have taken issue with the band’s and/or promoters’ approach to the event.
While lots have revelled in the excitement of a show scheduled for this week being dropped on our laps in the eleventh hour, lots of others feel the price point for the tickets is ‘ridiculous’.
Although they’re not quite on the level of the controversial Oasis/Harry Styles sagas, at £99 including all fees, they’re still up there with the most expensive gig tickets venues like these will ever charge.
Most poignantly, the tickets were sold strictly in person via the box office, with fans queuing up outside a trio of venues.
Taking place at the O2 Ritz, which has a capacity of roughly 1,500, the Foo Fighters’ Manchester date is not only one of the most in-demand gigs, but also promises to be one of their sweatiest – and, apparently, most divisive.
For some, this is a very cool bit of marketing and at least an attempt to curb online ticket touts, plus helping support live music spaces directly; on the other hand, the significant fee remains a sticking point they refuse to move past.
Responding in the comments underneath the post by the Ritz, one person wrote: “That ticket price is f****** disgusting. It’s not costing them f*** all to play there, if Harry Styles can play the Co-op Live for £20 then they should”; another simply added, “99 quid is wild, do better.”
Safe to say it has split opinions across the board.
i really want to know who is paying £100 to see foo fighters at o2 academy ritz and what they do for work to justify that
Big fan of the foo fighters but having only in person tickets and then still charging £100 is a joke. Then to move other bands earlier to slot them in isn’t fair
As you can see, it’s also affected other acts set to play these same rooms this month, too.
Others have also doubted whether the ‘face value exchange’ tactic really works all that much, as a few people on social media reported having already found a number of tickets being listed on resale on certain platforms.
What do you make of artists charging these kinds of prices for exclusive one-off shows like this, or the cost of gig tickets in general these days?
Better yet, did any of you succeed in grabbing tickets to see Foo Fighters at the Ritz here in Manchester this Friday, 27 February?
Featured Images — Audio North/Publicity picture (via Foo Fighters/O2 Ritz)
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Rock legends Rush announce massive Manchester arena gig for 50th anniversary
Danny Jones
Legendary classic rock band Rush has announced a massive Manchester arena gig as part of their ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations, with this being their first return to Europe in over a decade.
The Canadian veterans haven’t been back to Britain in a long time, but with their ’50 Something’ tour now confirmed, they’re finally making their return to the likes of Manchester and more.
Known for tracks such as ‘Tom Sawyer’, ‘Limelight’, ‘Spirit of the Radio’, ‘Fly By Night’, ‘Working Man’ and countless others, they have a discography that spans a whopping 19 albums, with their last studio LP, Clockwork Angels, released back in 2012.
Touring it a year later – the same year they were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – that was the last time they played here in the UK or anywhere else in Europe, for that matter; safe to say it’s a big deal to have them back.
With co-founders Geddy Lee (bass, keyboard, vocals) and Alex Lifeson (guitar, vocals) still going strong, the pair will pay tribute to their late, great drummer and fellow songwriter, Neil Peart, who sadly passed away back in 2020.
As you can see, the remaining and seasoned members of the original lineup will be joined by German musician Anika Nilles, who’ll be handling the percussion on the de facto reunion tour.
Better still, they’ll also be joined by the experienced Loren Gold, who previously toured with the likes of Roger Daltrey and The Who, as well as Chicago and more, on the keys.
Now that’s some pedigree right there.
Detailed in the official reveal by Co-op Live, where they will be making their debut, “the show will feature two sets, with setlists drawn from their hits and fan faves.”
JUST ANNOUNCED: Rush 12 March 2027
The show will feature two sets, with setlists drawn from their hits & fan faves.https://t.co/Z8qFTJXQvZ@coopuk members get first in line for tickets. Co-op Member Presale: 10:00 Wednesday 25 February General Sale: 10:00 Friday 27 February pic.twitter.com/AXpswzBAsG
Their Co-op Live, Manchester gig is one of just four shows across three domestic cities here in Great Britain, so Manc Rush fans can count themselves lucky to be included in the run.
Besides the rest of their world tour dates this year, you can see the rest of the schedule down below.
Rush UK tour dates 2027
8 March, OVO Hydro – Glasgow
12 March – Co-op Live, Manchester
16 and 18 March – O2 Arena, London
As always with gigs at this venue, official Co-op members get early access, with tickets going live at 10am this Wednesday, 25 February.
However, exclusive artist presale for the Rush Fan Club and ‘RushBackstage’ members begins even earlier at the same time this Tuesday (Feb 24), as do VIP packages.
For those interested in simple general admission, tickets will be available from 10am the following Friday, (27 Feb) – you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Danny Jones -
20th August 2025 
