Remember when everyone started wondering why ‘Tony McCarroll’ was trending on social media before suddenly realising they might have cocked up getting an Oasis pre-sale code? Us too, and with just a few months until the band’s reunion tour kicking off, he’s sent a message to the boys.
For most Oasis fans, the idea of an actual comeback was something they’d long dreamt of, but one they had mostly resigned themselves to the fact that it was something that was probably never really going to come true.
With that in mind, one man who was not only there at the very start of the phenomenon that was Oasis but – for one day, at the very least – was perhaps the most Googled person on the planet, has shared a heartfelt message of support; here’s what Tony McCarroll had to say ahead of a truly massive summer:
Sharing a sentiment that many of us headed into the new year echoing after we’d learned of the Oasis reunion, the 53-year-old began simply saying, “2025 is shaping up alright, isn’t it?!
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“Almost a lifetime ago, a few Burnage lads got together and created something special. Something that time can’t out date, the start of a wave that’s evidently still rolling with the last real band before the world changed.
“Oasis captured the time and minds of the people; we were the same as them, and they felt it. The connection. Over the last year or two, I’ve noticed something new in the gig and QnA crowds…. youth. The circle has started again lads. A new generation ready to start a journey of listening.”
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The original Oasis drummer, who quit the band in 1995 and was replaced by long-standing replacement Alan White, confessed: “Actually, I’m a bit jealous of that blank canvas they’re about to start on”
“Lads, the world is excited to see this, it’s all people are talking about. The time ‘feels’ right, I can’t wait to see how it all goes down”, he went on to say.
Adressing Liam, Noel, Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs and Gem Archer directly before adding, “I better stop there as I’m not sure who else”, McCarroll wished them the best of luck and reminding them to make sure they “stop and take it in”.
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As he touched on, the full band lineup for the Oasis reunion shows is yet to be officially confirmed but we’ve had pretty strong indications as to who we can expect to be returning.
Last but not least, he went on to quip, “If the drummer fancies a stage partner for ‘Supersonic’ at Heaton Park, give us a buzz” – now what a moment that would be, eh?
“What we started back in The Boardwalk days, has become this. Be proud. I f***** am! Enjoy it”, he signs off. Whether or not he has any regrets that he wasn’t part of the latter decade or so they spent as a bad or not, who knows? Even four years as part of one of the world’s biggest bands is quite something.
One thing that his message has proved for sure is that Tony McCarroll is just as excited to see Oasis come back this summer as every other fan on the planet and, original drummer, Alan White, Zak Starkey or otherwise, just hearing that first roar from the crowd is going to send chills down our collective spines.
For those of you lucky enough to grab tickets, what are you most looking forward to hearing?
Lola Young shares first public statement since cancellations and stepping away from the spotlight
Danny Jones
UK pop star Lola Young has shared her first public statement since cancelling the remainder of her tour and stepping away from the spotlight.
Lola Young, 24, took a break from her still-burgeoning career after numerous concerning incidents on stage, including throwing up and even passing out in the middle of a performance.
The BRIT School graduate announced the unfortunate cancellation of her upcoming shows “for the foreseeable future”, including a gig here in Manchester, at the end of September.
Breaking her silence after the best part of three months, the London-born singer-songwriter took to social media in a fairly brief but heartwarming statement.
As you can see, the time away from the public eye certainly seems to have been beneficial, telling her followers that “it has helped more than you will ever know”.
In addition to embracing ADHD – even labelling her hit song ‘Messy’ as an “ADHD anthem” in multiple anthems – she was also diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at just 17.
The latter can include symptoms such as psychosis, hallucinations, intense mood swings, bipolar mania, depression and more.
All that being said, we’re glad to hear that she’s on the mend; we saw her back in March, and you could tell from the crowd that she’s already got a very passionate cult following.
Both conditions and their associated obstacles have obviously affected her, but have equally helped influence her music and lyrical material, certainly, too.
Responding in the comments, fellow artist SZA wrote: “Love you, starfire angel. Your music is FULL of longevity and substance! We’re so grateful for you”.
Joining in support, ‘dark pop’ musician Carter James added, “Your wellbeing comes before anything. So excited for your next chapter whenever it arrives!”
We hope she’ll be doing better enough soon to get back on stage when she’s ready.
Fans are preparing to pay tribute to Mani from The Stone Roses ahead of his funeral service
Danny Jones
Stone Roses fans and Greater Manchester locals alike are getting ready to pay their respects to the late, great, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, following his tragic passing last month.
As well as details surrounding his funeral being announced earlier this week, the iconic Manc musician’s cause of death has also finally been revealed.
While Hatton’s service featured a high-profile cortège which started all the way from his hometown of Hyde, past multiple landmarks and ending at the Etihad Stadium, those local to Mani’s family home on the edge of Stockport are also being welcomed to help send him off.
It's the funeral of Mani of the Stone Roses on the 22nd. He lived locally. This poster is asking people to line the route of his funeral cortege to "show that he truly was adored". pic.twitter.com/X0DYHl10Hp
He had been struggling with emphysema for some time; he was declared dead at his home in the suburb of Heaton Moor, and is said to have died peacefully in his sleep.
As you can see from the posters put in various places around the area, residents wishing to pay their own tributes to Mani before his private funeral service at Manchester Cathedral are encouraged to line the long street leading down from St Paul’s and Heaton Moor United Church as he heads towards the city.
Departing Parsonage Road from 10am on Monday, 22 December, before turning right onto Heaton Moor Rd, then Wellington and eventually on to the Cathedral, you can expect plenty of people to show up.
One of those people will be his former bandmate and another influential guitarist, John Squire, who is one of many famous musical names to have honoured him in their own way over the last few weeks.
Other members of The Stone Roses, as well as Primal Scream (who he joined in 1996), are expected to join the close family and friends at the service itself.
Nevertheless, we have no doubt that plenty will be observing the funeral in their own way.
So, for those of you also looking to honour him, you know what to do; and to quote the poster itself, “together we can show this local legend and his family that he was truly adored.”
Danny Jones -
8th April 2025 
