Noel Gallagher has revealed he is already back in the studio and recording a new acoustic album which he says is arriving this year and is going to be one “for the fans”.
Just over six months on from the release of the latest Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds record, Council Skies, the Britpop icon has confirmed he is making more new music and this time, he is strictly limiting himself to acoustic-only.
Speaking once again with radio presenter and friend Matt Morgan on his podcast, the rock and songwriting legend said, “I’m back in the studio – not rock, the acoustic stuff. I’m doing it for fans really.”
He also detailed that not only will there be solo stuff that he’s sat on for years, including early demos from when he first started the NGHFB project, but even an unrecorded track written back in the Oasis days. You have our interest, sir…
As reported by Music News, Gallagher went on to say: “I’ve had to take all the electronic equipment out of the studio… because I’ve tried to make an acoustic album three times, and every time (I’ve used electronics)… so it’s just acoustic instruments in the studio.”
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“I’ve come up with working just with acoustic instruments, so instead of a bass, it’ll be a double bass — that way I can say, ‘I’ve made an acoustic album, but it’s used all acoustic instruments.’”
Joking that that won’t just be him “strumming a guitar with the same four chords and singing about the weather”, he touched upon acoustic being arguably the most unforgiving way of making tunes, adding: “It’s the essence of what every song is. There’s nothing you can do after that, you can’t f*** it up.”
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The 56-year-old also once again played with the hypothetical of him and Liam getting back together and how making a new Oasis album knowing what he knows about writing now “would be a disaster”. He also got in a cheeky dig at his younger brother’s lyricism on his debut single with John Squire.
Noel Gallagher talking about if Oasis ever get back together and singing his version of Liam's new song
However, whether he likes it or not, perhaps the most interesting prospect about this upcoming album to most fans is the fact that it is said to include an old track he never got around to recording when the rock legends were still together.
“I’ve got a CD with six [acoustic tracks] on it already”, says Noel, “There’s a song called ‘God Help Us All’, which is an old song from another 2005, so when I was still in Oasis, but I never recorded it.
He went on to add, “I’m looking forward to the challenge of seeing it through”, insisting that regardless of the style, “as long as the melody and lyrics are good, it’s good — once again reiterating that acoustic tunes tap into the very root of what the idea is.
All we’ll say is that we are always excited to hear more from one of the greatest and most successful musicians to ever walk the planet, let alone from the UK or Manchester, specifically.
Better yet, not only are Noel and his High Flying Birds playing a massive gig in Wigan this summer but he has also announced that he will be on several huge artists taking part in this year’s series of Teenage Cancer Trust gigs are the Royal Albert Hall, bringing Blossoms along with him for the ride.
While we’re well off getting any kind of release date for this acoustic album, hopefully, we’ll get to hear at least a taster of it by then.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Danny Jones -
21st January 2024 
