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Chris Moyles branded an ‘offensive’, ‘insipid half-wit’ for labelling unsigned artists as ‘crap’
The music community has expressed its overwhelming disappointment in the radio veteran. Some of his older comments are also being dug out.
Chris Moyles has come out with arguably one of the worst takes we’ve heard in a long time after he said he doesn’t play new music because he believes “most unsigned musicians are crap”.
Oh dear, Chris…
Speaking on his self-titled morning show on Radio X last week, the former BBC Radio 1 DJ and industry veteran was trying to defend criticism that he doesn’t play enough new music.
Despite insisting that “that’s not what [his] show is about”, which may have been reason enough to stop the conversation there, Moyles decided to double down and share his opinion on the wider music scene.
Responding to his listeners, he said: “the real reason is, and this will blow their tiny minds and they’ll hate this, the reason why we won’t play unsigned bands is because — and there are exceptions to the rule — but the main reason is that most unsigned bands are crap. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth.”
To absolutely no surprise whatsoever, the 48-year-old is being absolutely rinsed, with his claim being labelled everything from “shocking” and “ridiculous” to “an embarrassment”, not to mention several declaring him a “self-indulgent pr*ck” and insisting that he should “hang [his] head in shame”.
Moyles has always been somewhat of a divisive figure, even hinting at his Marmite-esque reputation whilst appearing on I’m A Celeb at the end of 2022, but most people seem to be in agreement on this one: it’s a pretty ignorant and callous take.
Artists and music lovers across social media have come out to rubbish the ill-thought-out judgement. Even station colleague John Kennedy had to make sure people knew these were solely the opinions of Moyles and not necessarily that of Radio X.
The first, most obvious thing to state is that every band or solo act was once an unsigned musician and, as countless pointed out, without exposure from the likes of radio DJs some of the world’s greatest ever artists may have never come to be.
Scottish four-piece The Lutras were one of countless to state their disappointment, issuing the following statement on their Twitter:
“Very disappointing to hear. No wonder up-and-coming bands struggle to get any airplay at all when the people who are supposed to be scouting them are saying they’re mostly crap and complaining about it. Rotten attitude. Chris Moyles, sort it out or f*** off”
Beyond his knowledge and opinions on music, many have also come out to suggest that the Leeds-born disc jockey has said plenty more upsetting things than this in the past, highlighting numerous controversies that many may not be readily aware of. Warning: it makes for rather unpleasant reading.
Read more:
Fortunately, back here in Manchester, our music-loving city is still doing its best to spotlight up-and-coming talent as it should.
Mayor Andy Burnham recently handed out the inaugural ‘Artist of the Month’ award to The KTNA in January, crucially giving them that very same air-time on BBC Radio Manchester that Moyles seems so quick to overlook.
Furthermore, music legend Johnny Marr and The Salford Foundation Trust recently gave local lad John Denton and his band, The Height, a huge boost in their fledgling music career too.
Don’t look down on people trying to make it, be more like these legends.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — Chris Moyles (via Instagram)/Radio X (via YouTube)
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Oasis finally confirm ‘private ballot’ ticket information for reunion tour
Daisy Jackson
Oasis have just announced more information about how tickets will be sold through a ‘private ballot’ for their extra reunion tour dates.
The group added two additional shows at Wembley Stadium after their initial 17 gigs across London, Manchester, Dublin, Edinburgh and Cardiff generated huge demand and sold out in a day.
Oasis and Ticketmaster came under fire though for the use of dynamic pricing, which saw ticket prices shoot up by hundreds of pounds by the time people made it through the online queues.
For these additional reunion tour dates at Wembley, ticket sales will look a little different.
They’ll be using a ‘private ballot’, which will give first dibs to those who missed out on the first ticket sale.
You’ll only be invited to register for the sale if you signed into your Ticketmaster account on Saturday 31 August, and joined a queue for a specific show.
And you’ll only receive an invitation if you DIDN’T manage to bag tickets the first time round.
THEN you’ll be able to register for the actual ballot, which still doesn’t guarantee you a ticket but does at least get you into a (hopefully less lengthy) queue.
This is the full statement shared by Oasis:
“Invitations to enter the private ballot will be sent overnight tonight (Saturday) to eligible fans we have been able to identify.
“If you signed into your Ticketmaster UK account on Saturday, 31st August, and were able to join a queue for a specific show, but didn’t get a ticket-then you may be eligible to take part and will receive an email on how to register for the ballot.
“Keep an eye on the inbox associated with your Ticketmaster account, and don’t forget to check your junkmail.
“Once successfully registered, you will be entered into the ballot for a code for access to the final Wembley on sale.
“Due to the demand for the shows and to avoid last week’s long queues, codes will be strictly limited. Entry to the ballot does not guarantee you will receive a code.
“The ballot is only open to invited fans. You must register with the email to which your invitation was sent and which is registered with your Ticketmaster account.
“All other entries will be discounted. If you do not receive an email then unfortunately you will not be eligible for the ballot.
“You will be automatically discounted from the ballot, even if you go through the registration process.”
Featured image: Simon Emmett
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Olly Murs announces Manchester show on huge arena tour – with Blue as support
Daisy Jackson
Olly Murs has just announced details of a huge arena tour, including a stop here in Manchester.
He’ll be playing the city’s biggest arena, the Co-op Live, as part of his 2025 tour.
The news comes fresh off the back of his nationwide tour supporting Take That on their massive This Life on Tour tour.
He’s announced a massive support act for himself too, bringing along British boyband favourites Blue.
Olly Murs first rose to stardom when he placed as runner-up in 2009’s The X Factor competition (though his career has soared past winner Joe McElderry’s).
Since then, he’s released seven solo studio albums, including last year’s Marry Me.
His massive hits include Heart Skips a Beat, Dance With Me Tonight, and Troublemaker, and he’s worked with the likes of Rizzle Kicks, Snoop Dogg, Demi Lovato and Flo Rida.
Olly Murs is now heading back out on the road for an all-singing, all-dancing arena tour.
It will include dates in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and loads more.
Olly said: “Celebrating 15 unbelievable years doing what I love best will be truly special. But to top it off I’m taking a band with me who I was obsessed with in my college years, BLUE!
“No doubt the pranks and banter will be free-flowing but most importantly it’s going to be a great night for the fans to enjoy, I can’t wait.”
Blue said: “We were really delighted when Olly asked us to join him on his Arena tour next year and can’t wait to get on the road with him in the Spring!
“We are going to have a whole lot of fun and look forward to making him an honorary Blue boy! We’ll be singing the biggest hits and maybe the odd joke here and there – watch out Olly!”
Tickets will go on sale on Friday 13 September at 10am – you can get yours here.
Olly Murs 2025 tour dates in full
- 24 April – Plymouth, Pavilions
- 26 April – Brighton, Centre
- 27 April – Hull, Connexin Live
- 29 April – Dublin, 3Arena
- 30 April – Belfast, SSE Arena
- 2 May – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
- 3 May – Aberdeen, P&J Live
- 4 May – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
- 6 May – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
- 8 May – Manchester, Co-op Live
- 9 May – Leeds, First Direct Arena
- 10 May – Sheffield, Utilita Arena
- 12 May – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
- 15 May – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
- 16 May – Birmingham, bp pulse LIVE
- 17 May – London, The O2
Featured image: Mark Hayman