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.
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 -
19th January 2023 
