Music
Liam Gallagher to play Oasis’ Definitely Maybe next year to mark 30th anniversary
He’ll play the album in its original order at ‘a few biblical venues’
Liam Gallagher will play Oasis’ Definitely Maybe album’s full track list next year to mark its 30th anniversary.
Liam Gallagher announced on social media, on Thursday May 11th, that he intends to play Oasis’s album Definitely Maybe in full to mark 30 years since its release.
He told his fans to expect to see him back on stage next year to play the entire iconic album in its original order to celebrate it.
‘Definitely Maybe’ was the first full-length LP from the iconic British indie-rock band, which Liam founded with his brother Noel.
Tracks taken from the album to be performed live by the singer-songwriter include fan favourites ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Star’, ‘Live Forever’ and ‘Supersonic’.
Liam tweeted yesterday: “As it’s 30 years since [Definitely Maybe] was released next year I’m gonna be playing the album from start to finish in its original order at a few BIBLICAL venues.”
Although it isn’t yet clear what ‘biblical’ venues the ex-Oasis frontman is referring to, the shows will undoubtedly sell out, especially as fans have been persistently calling for an Oasis reformation in recent years.
Although Liam isn’t the only Gallagher brother celebrating three decades of Definitely Maybe. Just last month, Noel said that the band would be honouring 30 years of the breakthrough LP by sharing an anniversary reissue.
Alongside new artwork and the original tracks, the forthcoming reissue will also feature previously-unreleased songs – recorded at the same time that the album was made – as well as demo versions of their most famous hits.
According to the High Flying Birds frontman, this will specifically include acoustic versions of best-loved hits including ‘Live Forever’, ‘Slide Away’ and ‘Supersonic’.
In the run-up to the anniversary, numerous Oasis fans have been hopeful that the band may reunite, even if just to perform on tour in honour of the milestone.
These hopes were fuelled by suggestions made by Liam online and both brothers saying they would be open to the idea should the other one reach out.
According to NME, in February 2022, Liam said that Oasis ‘should never have split up’, and that he would ‘love’ the iconic band to get back together.
In response to Liam, earlier this year, brother Noel also explained that he would be open to the concept of reforming, and confirmed that he would ‘never say never’ to a reunion.
In further Oasis news, the band’s former guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs offered his thoughts on a potential reunion, saying he is supportive of the idea because of how much it would mean for younger generations.
He told Radio X: “Some days you wake up and think ‘Nah, there’s no need for it. It’s been done’. But when I’m on stage with Liam Gallagher as a solo artist, and I come out and we play ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Star’, the place erupts.
“People are bouncing higher and harder than they did at some of the gigs back in the day. I look at the first ten rows when I’m playing an arena with Liam, and they’re like 16 or 17 years of age.
“These people weren’t even born until well into Oasis’ career. So if there was a reunion, wouldn’t it be worth it for them? … You hear that Liam? You hear that Noel?”
Music
Liam Gallagher reveals son Gene’s band to open for him on Definitely Maybe anniversary tour
He revealed the news responding to a fan on social media – as you do!
Liam Gallagher has said his son Gene and his band Villanelle will support him on his upcoming Definitely Maybe anniversary tour.
The indie-rocker took to X (formerly Twitter) to reply to a fan who said they like Gene’s band and asked what Liam thought of them.
In his response, Liam said he thinks the band are ‘good’ and announced they will be ‘first on’ for his Definitely Maybe tour.
Gene, 22, is Liam’s youngest son and is the frontman and guitarist for the recently formed band Villanelle.
The band is set to hit the UK festival scene this summer, releasing their new music along the way, and will also be first up to support LG alongside the likes of music legends including Cast and The View.
Although the newbies haven’t officially released any tracks just yet, they have recently been spotted supporting Brummie band the Overpass on tour, and performed at King Tut’s in Glasgow on March 21st.
Clips online hint that Gene will most likely take after his dad and go on to create some classic British indie-rock tunes.
Aside from the upcoming Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary tour, Liam has a big year and is currently touring with John Squire, formerly of the Stone Roses, to support their joint, self-titled album. The pair performed live at Manchester Apollo last month and reviews are looking pretty positive for these two rock legends.
Liam will be coming to Manchester’s brand-new Co-op Live arena on his Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary tour on June 15th and 16th, with a final Manchester date on June 27th.
It’s not clear which tour dates Gene will be supporting his dad on but we look forward to seeing him live.
Music
Liam Gallagher says Noel ‘turned down’ reunion for Definitely Maybe tour
There’s no sign of them burying the hatchet yet
Liam Gallagher claims he asked Noel to reunite for the Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary tour later this year but that he ‘refused’.
The former Oasis frontman shared details of his upcoming tour – to celebrate 30 years of Oasis’ seminal 1994 album – back in October.
So, a solo Liam will play their iconic debut album in full, including tracks ‘Live Forever’, ‘Supersonic’, ‘Slide Away’ and ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’.
The indie-rocker also teased he’ll be playing ‘naughty’ B-sides from the era.
He’ll be kicking off the 12-date tour in Sheffield on June 2nd, heading to Cardiff for a night, then onto London for four, followed by three dates in his native Manchester at the Co-op Live arena.
From there, Liam will play two dates in Glasgow and two in Dublin, before heading back to Manchester for the finale.
Speaking to MOJO recently, Liam said that his brother refused to put aside their differences and join him on the 30th anniversary tour. He said: “Noel? He ain’t f**king doing it.”
“I did call him! Well, my people called Noel’s management team,” he told the publication.
“We put an offer on the table for an Oasis thing – because we got offered it – and he said no. It was a big tour, a lot of money. He turned it down. I get it, he’s got a divorce going down. I’ll do the ‘Definitely Maybe’ thing and have a nice time without him.”
On whether next year could see the feuding pair finally make amends and reunite for the anniversary of second album ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’, Liam said: “It’s down to the universe. It’ll happen when it happens, it’s not in our hands anymore.”
Either way, it seems Liam is up for the tour with or without him as he added: “Me, I love nostalgia though. I’m doing the lot. Every album, even… what was the last one?”
It’s not the first time Liam has claimed his estranged brother has turned down his offer to get back together.
Back in October, a fan asked whether he’d give us the surprise of joining him on the DM tour, to which Liam responded: “He’s been asked and he’s refused.”
It comes after Noel told talkSport radio back in May that he was ‘open to a phone call’ from Liam but said that he wouldn’t dare and accused him of being a ‘coward’.
He continued: “He doesn’t have to speak to me. He won’t speak to me, he’s a coward. So he should get some of his people, his agent, to call my people and say, ‘Look, this is what we’re thinking.’ And then we’ll have a conversation about it. Until then, he’s being a little bit disingenuous.”
He added that Liam is guilty of getting ‘people’s hopes up’ with his post on social media.
But Liam hit back with a string of posts on social media saying it wasn’t true and that Noel just ‘hates Oasis fans’.
The band parted ways in 2009 and ever since, the bickering brothers have exchanged spats publicly while being asked about whether a reunion may be on the cards one day.
Regarding the 30th Anniversary of Definitely Maybe, Noel confirmed in April last year that an Oasis reunion would not be happening any time soon but did confirm plans of a reissue of the record to mark the occasion.
The singer-songwriter also added that there had ‘never really been a serious offer about ‘The Big O’ getting back together’.
Earlier this year, as he reflected on their split, Liam accused Noel of throwing him ‘under the f**king bus’ at the time.
Liam is now focusing his attention on his much anticipated collaborative, self-titled album with Stone Roses guitarist John Squires, which is out on March 1st. The pair will also announce details of an upcoming tour.
Music
Wigan Casino to celebrate 50th anniversary with Northern Soul all-nighter
The rarest Northern Soul record was recently sold for £100k
The legendary Wigan Casino will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special Northern Soul all-nighter after its last song, Frank Wilson’s ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do), played in 1981 and it shut its doors for good.
The all-nighter will play on BBC Radio 6 Music, featuring all the – often B-side – bangers discovered in Motown vaults from the likes of The Supremes, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Dobie Gray, Yvonne Baker, and many more.
From its opening in 1973, Wigan Casino saw crowds of music lovers desperate to dance the night away to all of the latest vinyl records, getting dropped off by the coach load outside the venue – the former Empress Ballroom.
Several DJs including Russ Winstanley, Ian Fishwick, Kev Roberts and Richard Searling would take turns in spinning the decks for clubbers who would queue for hours just to get a taste of the action in the main dance hall.
Wigan Casino’s very last all-nighter was played on December 6th 1981 from midnight to the early morning, played by DJ Russ Winstanley.
Now, 50 years after the legendary night began, a special edition of Northern Soul programming dedicated to Wigan Casino will kick off on Saturday September 9th until 8pm on Sunday September 10th, on BBC Radio 6 Music.
The tracks will be played across The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show alongside a broadcast of Stuart Maconie’s Northern Soul Prom, which was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in July.
Kicking off the programme on Saturday, from 6pm to 9pm, Craig’s show will feature a ten-piece soul house band – The Signatures – and special guests including Wigan Casino DJ Richard Searling and R&B group The Flirtations.
Craig will also be going in search of the rarest Northern Soul record, which was recently sold for £100,000 – can you guess which one it was?
Then, from 9pm-12am, Craig will join Stuart to introduce a broadcast of the Northern Soul Prom – recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
It features Brendan Reilly, Darrell Smith, Frida Mariama Touray, Natalie Palmer, Nick Shirm and Vula Malinga as they perform the likes of You’re Gonna Make Me Love You, Open the Door to Your Heart and Hold Back The Night.
Stuart Maconie says: “Northern Soul was and is one of the most thrilling and vital music subcultures ever.
“It’s a dynamic, sympathetic union of the sounds and dreams of generations in the industrial heartlands of the North and Midlands of the UK and their counterparts in New York, Detroit, Philadelphia and beyond.
“At the heart of the scene is this wonderful, dramatic, vibrant and inspirational music, as well as the passion and knowledge of its devotees.
“They brought the communal rapture of the Northern Soul clubs and dancehalls to the Royal Albert Hall, which was on its feet on every tier for the Prom. It was a night the like of which that grand and esteemed old building has never seen before.”
From 12am-4am, 6 Music begins an audio tour of the UK’s iconic all-nighter venues, with hour-long playlists by DJs who were there at Golden Torch (12am-1am), Wigan Casino (1am-2am), Twisted Wheel (2am-3am) and 100 Club (3am-4am).
These key figures from the scene share stories and songs, taking listeners back to the dance floors of these legendary spaces.
From 4am-7am, 6 Music’s Morning After Mix, Northern Soul Special, brings listeners a playlist of mellow soul numbers, featuring classic ballads and as well as contemporary selections.
Stuart returns to the airwaves an hour earlier than usual at 7am on Sunday morning (September 10th) to present Lights On With Stuart Maconie.
He’ll bring the party to a close and bring listeners the original versions of Wigan Casino’s famous Three Before Eight – Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe and I’m On My Way by Dean Parrish.
The Wigan Casino 50th anniversary special on BBC Radio 6 Music can be listened to via BBC Sounds from 6pm on September 9th – 8pm on September 10th. You can also tune in via DAB Digital Radio, Freeview, Sky TV, and supported mobile devices.
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