Noel Gallagher is showing off some guitars from his own private collection at special exhibition opening in a few weeks time.
To celebrate 150 years of Epiphone instruments having played a key role some of music and pop culture’s biggest moments, a brand-new exhibition is set to be unveiled at the British Music Experience (BME) in Liverpool later this month, and with the former Oasis guitarist being one of the brand’s most-loyal artists, it’s only right that he be honoured.
The Manc music legend is lending four guitars from his own private Epiphone collection to the new exhibition that bears his name.
Among the guitars on show at the temporary exhibition will be Gallagher‘s Epiphone Riviera with Bigsby from the Defintley Maybe album cover, as well as his Epiphone Frontier FT110 used on the (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? recording.
Noel admitted that he started playing Epiphones “because of The Beatles”.
“I didn’t know anything about guitars then,” he continued.
“They looked good, they felt good, and I could make them sound good. I’m a songwriter, not a guitar player. You know, that’s my thing, so I’m not one of those people who can sit in a guitar shop and play lots of things.
“I will literally play an E chord, and if it had sounded great and felt good, I would have just said, ‘Yeah, I’ll take it.'”
Speaking ahead of the exhibition opening in a few weeks time, Kevin McManus, who is the Head of UNESCO City of Music for Liverpool, said: “Epiphone 150 celebrations landing in Liverpool is a great coup for the city.
“The story of the brand is fascinating and sits perfectly at the British Music Experience [as] the space the Museum is housed in is the old marble clad passenger halls of The Cunard Building and it was the very space where the physical exchange between America and the UK started with the back and forth of people but also music and culture on the vast passenger ships.
Noel Gallagher is showing his private guitar collection off at a new exhibition / Credit: Epiphone
“Epiphone tells the story of an immigrant family reaching the shores of the USA and living the American dream, and this dream crossed the pond again and forms an important historical part of our music scene from BritPop to the Beatles.
“We are thrilled for the BME and Liverpool to host this line up of iconic guitars.”
To celebrate the launch of the exhibition, the BME and Gibson are giving away 150 tickets to the launch night on Wednesday 27 September for FREE, and they’re being offered on a first-come-first-served basis from the BME website here.
You can catch Epiphone 150th Anniversary: Featuring the Guitars of Noel Gallagher at the British Music Experience in Liverpool when it officially opens on Wednesday 27 September.
The guitars will be on show until the exhibition closes on 14 January 2024.
Featured Image – Epiphone
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A much-loved Manc drinking spot is handing out FREE spritzes to Sounds of the City gig-goers
Danny Jones
Popular Manchester city centre drinking spot, Society, is handing out free spritzes to gig-goers heading to this year’s Sounds of the City festival.
The annual series of live music events returned at the start of the month, with Castlefield Bowl once again being turned into one of the best amphitheatres in the country – not that we’re biased, or anything.
And since we’re in a month packed with outdoor gigs (pretty sure there’s some local band on at Heaton Park), what better drink to help you get a bit loose before the party starts than a refreshing spritz in the sunshiiine?
Better yet, if you fancy copping a complimentary one, Society beer and food hall are handing out freebies for those going to Sounds of the City 2025.
As you can see, the deal is simple: turn up to the beautiful Society beer garden or equally lovely indoor space and show your ticket to the bar staff to get your hands on a free spritzer.
Now, there is a catch, as they’re only promising 100 free drinks in total across all seven concerts this July, and three of them have already been – which could be a blessing or a curse – and they’re available on a first come first serve basis from 4pm on each event date.
However, we’ll admit we were a little late to the news on this occasion, so there’s a chance plenty of others haven’t heard about the offer either, meaning you could still be able to sort yourself a free Sarti or Aperol Spritz (only 50 of each available).
Salivating.Sounds of the City is just a short walk from Society.Credit: The Manc Eats/Audio North
With 2025 season openers, Elbow, having kicked things off in true Manc style, as well as The Charlatans and Shed Seven having already played, the word may have gotten out, but it’s still worth a crack. Besides, Society is still a brilliant summery drinking spot regardless.
The deal is available across all remaining concert dates:
Wed, 9 July – The Black Keys, with support from Miles Kane
Thurs, 10 July – Bloc Party, with support from The Royston Club
Fri, 11 July – Rizzle Kicks, with support from Maverick Sabre and Abbie McCarthy
Sat, 12th July – Basement Jaxx, with support from Mike Skinner (DJ Set) and Storm Mollison
Oh, and if you’re wondering what SOTC 2025 has been like so far, the neighbouring balconies have been full as always, Castlefield Hotel has been packed, and we got Guy Garvey to wave at a train driver…
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Society (supplied)
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Oasis merch prices as huge flagship stand opens in Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
An official Oasis merch stand has opened in the heart of Manchester, selling all the Gallagher-printed wares your heart could desire.
The Oasis Live ‘25 Touring Flagship Stand has sprung up on St Peter’s Square today, where it will remain for the duration of the Manchester reunion shows.
Stacked with everything from band tees to bucket hats, plus posters, tote bags, and that exclusive adidas x Oasis collection, the merch stand is already pulling in some serious queues.
And with a few days still to go until Oasis Live ‘25 hits Heaton Park (those dates, if they aren’t burned into your brain, are 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July) there’s still plenty more time to shop.
The merch stand has opened in addition to the official merch fan store across town in Spinningfields.
And it’s at the heart of the Music for the Senses art trail, which has seen painted guitar artworks installed all over the city centre.
Back to that Oasis merch stand in Manchester though – there are pieces from their adidas collection, including a sky blue (obviously) three-stripe long-sleeved jersey for £55, a tour jacquard football jersey for £85, and a classic Firebird track top for £90.
Event-specific merch like t-shirts in various colours emblazoned with the Oasis Live ‘25 artwork will set you back £40, and you can choose from photos of the brothers back together in 2025, or back in their pre-split heyday.
Oasis merch prices as huge flagship stand opens in Manchester city centre
There’s also a £70 black hoody with the tour dates on the sleeve, plus a What’s The Story blue-tone hoody for £70, and a blue tone sweatshirt for £50.
A range of posters starring Liam and Noel are priced at £40 apiece.
There’s an Oasis Live ‘25 tote bag for sale at the merch stand in town, which costs £20.
Then the most Manc item of all – a reversible bucket hat (black on one side with the Oasis logo in the centre, or a collage of Oasis logos on the other side) – is £35.
The stand is home to city-specific event items, exclusive adidas lines, and other exclusives.
The Oasis Live ’25 Touring Flagship Stand is open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 6pm on Sundays, then 10am to 7pm on Oasis show days.
Emily Sergeant -
14th September 2023 
