Noel Gallagher’s latest single, ‘Easy Now’, released earlier this week and just so happens to feature a queen, as actor Milly Alcock stars in the evocative new music video.
The 22-year-old Aussie has already appeared in various movies and TV shows across the UK, US and Australia in her relatively short career, but is undoubtedly best known for playing Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon.
Playing the younger version of the Westerosi princess turned Queen of the seven kingdoms in the Game of Thrones, Alcock is now a more recognisable face than ever
Swapping the courtly robes and fantasy palaces for a hoody, baggy jeans, an oversized jacket and a pair of trainers as she walks around a nondescript urban area, the young actor managed to say quite a lot without us ever hearing her voice.
Out today: Brand new single ‘Easy Now’ is the 2nd track to be taken from the forthcoming album ‘Council Skies’. Watch the official video, starring Milly Alcock, in full here: https://t.co/w6v80zISJvpic.twitter.com/ca2XqpnF2J
Milly Alcock plays the rebellious youth running through the streets of a miscellaneous British town.
While you might have expected co-star Olivia Cooke to be the more likely of the two fictional queens to be approached for the lead role in the iconic Manc musician’s new video now that people are finally realising that she is from Oldham, but her rebellious opposite number in the hit show is equally brilliant.
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Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds announced their fourth studio album, Council Skies, on Tuesday, 17 January and, as you can see, this visualization for this lead single is very much about building from that title.
Based on the title of a book by illustrator and friend Pete McKee, the new record is said to showcase Gallagher reminiscing about what it was like growing up in Manchester. Born in Longsight and raised in Burnage, the council estates of Greater Manchester were all he and brother Liam ever knew.
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While Oasis ultimately moved down to London whilst riding the wave of success and the Britpop era, this album is seemingly about tapping into those northern, working-class surroundings that so many of us are familiar with. The album cover also pays tribute to his beloved Manchester City Football Club:
Speaking in a statement, the 55-year-old said of the project: “It’s going back to the beginning. Daydreaming, looking up at the sky and wondering about what life could be… that’s as true to me now as it was in the early ‘90s. When I was growing up in poverty and unemployment, music took me out of that.”
It only takes you hearing a few of the lyrics to get a taste of the themes undercutting the track and, presumably, the album as a whole: the aspirations of youth, looking to escape the monotony of everyday normality and so on.
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Elsewhere, while Gallagher is obviously fully focused on the new album and the inevitable tour to follow, he was recently asked about that old chestnut: ‘are Oasis ever getting back together?’
However, his answer was a lot more suggestive than usual.
We’re not holding our breath just yet but this is a step in the right direction. 🤞
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ new album, Council Skies, drops on 2 June, 2023 and you can watch the full video for the first official single, ‘Easy Now’, down below.
As is often the case with Noel, it’s an absolutely beautiful track and Milly Alcock gives a powerful performance.
IDLES frontman Joe Talbot set for ’10 Songs That Made Me’ interview at AO Arena
Danny Jones
Cult favourite frontman Joe Talbot of IDLES fame is set to for an eye-opening sit-down interview as part of AO Arena’s ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series.
The lead singer of the politically-charged post-punk band will be joining the in-conversation event opposite BBC 6 Music host and popular radio host, full stop, Chris Hawkins.
Having often drifted into hardcore, art rock and even spoken word at times, Joe Talbot and co. have become known for the cutting lyricism and insightful songwriting in general, so we can only assume that diving into his own musical influences will be just as riveting.
Joining his fellow audophile on stage at the city’s legendary live music and entertainment venue this November, Talbot and Hawkins will be running through the tracks that quite literally helped create the musician we know today.
According to the AO, the arena will host an in-depth chat with the provocative 41-year-old artist as he walks Chris Hawkins through “the most important musical chapters of his life, his stunning musical journey from resident DJ at one of Bristol’s hottest clubs, through to headlining Glastonbury festival.”
It is quite the career he’s had when you break it down.
They go on to promise “raw honesty and trademark wit” as Joe reflects on the record, acts and cultural moments that shaped him as a young performer before breaking onto the scene with IDLES.
As for the ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series itself, it may be what it says on the tin, but most interestingly, being in the crowd and hearing it from each different group/individual changes the experience entirely.
“More than a story of success—it’s a journey of resilience, passion, and community”, they go on to add. “Expect an evening of candid conversation, unexpected anecdotes, and deep dives into the music that has not only defined Joe’s career but also resonated with millions around the world.
If you’re fans of the band or Talbot, in particular, you’ll already know they’re great orators; plus, if you caught even a small clip from his own fledgling Oh Gatekeeper podcast, you’ll know he loves nothing more than diving deep into tunes that shape not just the audio landscape but people at their core.
Just casually getting the lead singer of The Strokes on for in the first season, as you do…
On a personal note, we’ve watched the IDLES x Grammy Museum interview on multiple ocassions at this point, and know how much artistry there is behind everything they do.
The same goes for Talbot, specifically – there’s no doubt about that.
If you’re interested in being part of the audience for Joe Talbot’s in conversation event with Chris Hawkins as part of ’10 Songs That Made Me’, tickets for the date at AO Arena on Tuesday, 25 November are live now, and you can grab yours via Skiddle right HERE.
Last but not least, special mention goes to the interviewing expert himself, whose recent chat with Tim Burgess about The Charlatans getting back into the studio is also well worth a listen.
Tune in to 6 Music from 1pm today, @Tim_Burgess is my very special guest and rumour has it that we might get to hear a brand new Charlatans track… pic.twitter.com/vzoGDnvS7G
Wet Leg announce huge outdoor gig in Manchester as part of landmark live dates
Clementine Hall
Isle of Wight five-piece Wet Leg have announced their biggest headline shows to date, announcing a trio of huge outdoor gigs, including one right here in Manchester at Castlefield Bowl.
The multi-award-winning indie and alt outfit rose to fame back in 2022 with iconic tracks like Chaise Longue and Wet Dream, packing out stages at Glastonbury not long after releasing their critically acclaimed debut album.
Becoming their second consecutive number one in just as many attempts, moisturizer, is equally as fun and fabulous as the first – we cannot wait to hear it live in these.
Comprised of two lead singers in Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, Ellis Durand on bass, drummer Henry Holmes and guitarist Joshua Mobaraki, this lot can make plenty of noise.
And as you can see, to make things even better, they’ll be joined by Leeds’ very own English Teacher as the main support act at each one of the landmarks shows.
As for their down south show, they’ll also be playing Alexandra Palace Park down in the capital to round out this run of live dates next summer.
It goes without saying that we’re obviously buzzing to see them become the latest name on the lineup for the 2026 Sounds of the City series, with a hometown hero also joining the ranks as of this month:
Wet Leg are in good company when they rock up to Castlefield Bowl.
Set to play the Bowl on Wednesday, 8 July, before heading to Leeds and then London for consecutive nights, we’re sure you’ll see them playing tonnes more big stages throughout festival season.
Tickets for all three of Wet Leg’s confirmed dates for 2026 go on sale this Friday, 31 October from 9:30am, and you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We reckon this one will be a real ticket scramble, so we wouldn’t mess about if you want to bag yourself a ticket; in fact, given that all of their live shows this year sold out, we know it will…
Danny Jones -
19th January 2023 
