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Oasis reunion rumours return after ‘reserved for Noel’ seat spotted at Liam Gallagher gig

We've been down this road so many times before, we know, but we can keep dreaming, can't we?...

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 13th June 2024

It’s that time again: whether you’re bored of it or not, rumours surrounding a potential Oasis reunion are once again circling after a sign reading “reserved for Noel” was spotted at a recent Liam Gallagher gig.

Liam is currently on tour here in the UK playing Definitely Maybe in full for the debut album’s 30th anniversary – set to arrive for the first of four shows in Manchester this weekend – and has now played all four of his dates at The O2 in London.

And, given that his estranged sibling lives predominantly in London and has been there ever since the mid-1990s, many fans are now speculating whether the younger Gallagher left Noel an open invitation to come to his show after the aforementioned sign was spotted in the arena.

Well, sort of. Its origins are up for debate.

According to Simon Love (former frontman for the indie-pop band, The Loves), who was in town for Liam‘s gig on Tuesday night, the sign was left on the seat in front of him in the hospitality section.

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However, one commenter was quick to claim, “Liam leaves one at every show, in the hope that one day, one day, Noel will show up…”, to which Love humorously responded, “Like Ricky Bobby” in reference to Will Ferrell’s character and his absentee father in Talladega Nights.

Nevertheless, a source close to Gallagher’s team told The Independent that Liam “had nothing to do with the reserved sign and it was likely ‘someone in hospitality having a wind-up'” – but then again he would say, that wouldn’t he!?…

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All in all, the tongue-in-cheek response felt rather fitting as although many were hopeful there might be some substance to what was likely a prank by Love himself, even more were quick to dismiss this as little more than hot air. Liam did ultimately go on to meet up with another rock legend after the show though.

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Even if there is any semblance of truth to whether or not Liam reserved a seat for Noel at his gigs and the latter simply snubbed him, we’ll likely never know the real story, but we’d love to keep imagining that he leaves a sign out there every time just on the off chance.

It’s widely known that the pair’s ongoing feud isn’t expected to end anytime soon, no matter how many times Liam has offered a jokey but half-serious olive branch in an effort to give the fans what they want: an Oasis reunion.

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As for ‘The Mighty I’, he’s busy playing his own shows and creating more music under the High Flying Birds moniker and has already insisted it would take some “extraordinary circumstances” for the two to get back together, though he did have one alternative suggestion.

That being said, Liam is still doing more than his bit to keep playing Oasis songs live to as many people as possible, with the 51-year-old already teasing more anniversary shows next year.

Featured Images — Stefan Brending (via Wikimedia Commons)/Raph_PH (via Flickr)

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Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze

Festival-goers have been warned not to take wheelie bins full of alcohol to festivals with them this summer.

The warning has come ahead of this year’s Download Festival, which takes place next month and kicks off the summer’s biggest run of festival dates.

But a major train operator has said there have been incidents in the past of passengers trying to travel to festivals with wheelie bins and luggage trolleys.

Passengers have had to be reminded that wheelie bins are not permitted on board, and they should instead only carry as much luggage as they can comfortably carry.

The warning comes from East Midlands Railway, one of the key services that will whisk people to Download Festival between 10 and 14 June.

Customers returning from the festival are also encouraged to use boot-cleaning brushes provided at stations to help remove mud before boarding trains.

Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re encouraging customers to travel light.

“Last year, some festive goers tried to board services with wheelie bins or festival trolleys full of beer. While it might seem like a great idea for getting your supplies to the festival, it just isn’t safe or possible to bring them onboard train services.”

Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze

EMR has also warned customers to plan journeys in advance, with engineering work taking place at various locations on the Midland Main Line, near where Download Festival takes place.

She continued: “We’re advising customers travelling to Download Festival to plan their journeys in advance and be aware that essential engineering work will affect services across the weekend.

“As a result, some services will be reduced or amended, and passengers should check before they travel and allow extra time.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Review | PinkPantheress turns O2 Victoria Warehouse into one huge party on first night in Manchester

Emily Johnson Emily Johnson Pinkpantheress Manchester gig review night 1

There was a point during Pinkpantheress’ set at O2’s Victoria Warehouse where you almost forgot you were watching someone perform an album that barely stretches past the 20-minute mark.

Instead, night one of two Manchester shows felt like one huge club night curated by one of the most exciting British artists around right now.

From the second you walked into the venue, greeted by an army of plaid, the world of PinkPantheress (real name Victoria Beverley Walker, for those who didn’t know) completely took over.

The stage itself mirrored that energy too, with a two-tier setup that allowed her to constantly move around the space, appearing and disappearing throughout the night alongside outfit changes, dramatic lighting and eventually, a pair of angel wings.

Credit: Audio North

Backed by her dancers and DJ Joe, the entire show felt slick, immersive and miles away from the early days of PinkPantheress nervously clutching onto her handbag on stage like a comfort blanket. Ironically, the handbag did make a brief appearance during the evening.

It’s a reminder of just how much her performances have evolved – and evolve they have.

What could have easily been a short and simple set instead became a fully realised live show, complete with extended dance sections, rave-inspired moments, drum solos and seamless transitions that made the whole thing feel bigger than the music alone.

There’s also something undeniably British about a PinkPantheress show: the UK garage influences, the fashion, the awkward humour, and the understated confidence all combined into something that felt distinctly hers.

At one point, she paused to laugh: “It’s hot in this venue, f*** me,” which summed up the sweaty chaos of the night perfectly.

 At one point, she joked that the last time she was in Manchester, she made it all the way to the final stage of Pointless, before being told she was now “too famous” to go on the show – a perfectly PinkPantheress anecdote that had the crowd laughing immediately.

By the end of the set, O2 Victoria Warehouse felt less like a gig venue and more like the best house party you’ve ever accidentally ended up at.

And with another Manchester show still to come, it’s safe to say the party isn’t over just yet.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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