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.
Phoebe Bridgers announces long-awaited return with HUGE phones-free arena gig in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
It’s official, Phoebe Bridgers is back on earth.
More than six years since her last studio album, Punisher, was released to the world, cementing her status as one of indie folk’s leading figureheads, Phoebe Bridgers has given fans the news they have been waiting so patiently for.
A new tour North America and EU tour is on the horizon, and she’ll be stopping off here in Manchesterlater this year for a huge arena gig.
Following a sold-out acoustic show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden last night (4 June), Phoebe has now revealed details of ‘The Lost Tour’ for 2026.
Other than the series of surprise pop-up acoustic shows that have wrapped around the country over the last few weeks – beginning in Roswell in New Mexico on 8 May, and continuing on to smaller venues in other US cities before culminating in last night’s dazzling MSG show – this upcoming full band tour marks the first Phoebe Bridgers shows since early 2023.
Phoebe will be taking to the stage at Co-op Live here in Manchester for one night only on 26 November 2026 – with tickets going on sale next week.
And just like the pop-up shows, the use of mobile phones, cameras, and other recording devices will be strictly prohibited on this tour, encouraging fans to be more present in the moment.
This means the Co-op Live event will utilise secure pouches to store all devices during the performance.
Phoebe Bridgers is playing a huge arena gig in Manchester on her UK tour later this year / Credit: Supplied | Raph PH (Wikimedia Commons)
Upon arrival, all phones, smartwatches, and related accessories will be secured in these pouches, the pouches will be unlocked at the conclusion of the show, and any guest observed using a non-permitted device during the performance will be escorted out of the venue.
If the news of Phoebe’s return wasn’t exciting enough for fans as it is, she won’t be the only one making a highly-anticipated return to the stage, as support on the UK & EU leg of the tour is to be provided by former Black Country, New Road frontman, Isaac Wood.
Wood stepped away from the ensemble band – and the limelight as a whole – right before the release of BCNR’s critically acclaimed second studio album, Ants From Up There, in 2022, citing mental health reasons.
Phoebe has also partnered with PLUS1 so that €1/£1 from every ticket sold on the European tour leg goes to local organisations throughout the EU/UK working to support those impacted by sexual assault and violence.
Phoebe Bridgers will be playing Co-op Live as part of ‘The Lost Tour’ on Thursday 26 November 2026.
Tickets officially go on sale first through the Phoebe Bridgers Pass Presale via Fan3, and Co-op Member Presale starting at 10am on Wednesday 10 June, before general sale then begins on Friday 12 June, again at 10am.
UB40 at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
British-based reggae band UB40 are coming to Manchester for a celebration of all their greatest hits live at AO Arena.
Formed in Birmingham in the late 70’s, this predominantly dub and reggae band has gone on to achieve much success, including 50 UK charting singles.
UB40 have also sold over 100 million records, as well as keeping a consistent line-up for almost 30 years, before lead vocalist Ali Campbell decided to leave the band.
Now, the band’s lead vocalist is former Kioko lead singer Matt Doyle, who’s taken on this role since mid-2021 and is ready to soundtrack your night while you enjoy some ‘Red Red Wine’.
There’s no official setlist confirmed for their latest tour, however, this 11-piece band have played an array of European dates with a pretty consistent roster of tracks:
Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
Maybe Tomorrow
Homely Girl
Sing Our Own Song
One in Ten
Home
Please Don’t Make Me Cry
Many Rivers to Cross
Higher Ground
The Way You Do the Things You Do
I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
Cherry Oh Baby
Johnny Too Bad
Red Red Wine
Food For Thought
Forever True
Kingston Town
Can’t Help Falling in Love
What are the stage times for UB40 in Manchester?
Anyone up for seeing UB40 play out at Manchester’s impressive 19,000-seater AO Arena will have to get there a tad early.
Doors will open at 6pm with a gig start time of 6:45pm due to the special guests who will be taking to the stage before them.
Make sure you get down early, as you really won’t want to miss the phenomenal duo Aswad, as well as standout vocalist Maxi Priest – It really is a reggae revolution.
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station, and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces, including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
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Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
Danny Jones -
21st January 2024 
