Oasis & Take That Concerts To Bring A Welcome Boost To Sunderland

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The two Take That concerts and the Oasis gig is set to boost Sunderland’s economy by at least £3.5m this summer.

The gigs at Sunderland Football Club’ Stadium of Light are the largest concerts ever held in the North East.

The venue will play host to the opening nights of Take That's Circus Live Tour, as well as the Oasis gig on June 10.

Each performance will have a capacity of up to 53,000, which in total will see almost 160,000 music fans visit the city in six days.

SAFC Marketing and commercial director Lesley Callaghan said: “This is great news for Sunderland and the wider region as we expect many people who come to the area for the concerts to go shopping or to a restaurant before the show and to sample the city's nightlife afterwards.

“Many businesses are extending their opening hours on the days of the concerts to cope with the anticipated extra demand for their services.”

The club has also spent thousands of pounds and is employing almost 1500 members of staff for the massive logistics exercise of hosting the concerts.

A special aluminium trackway in the area of the stage in the South Stand and the rest of the pitch has also been covered by a special Supertrack surface.

Peter Weymes, facilities manager at the Stadium, says: “Everyone is looking forward to it. It’s always exciting in the build up to a football match and this has similarities, but also differences. The staff are generally fans of the team and are passionate about working for the club, so it’s nice for them to get involved in something like this.

Source: www.sundaysun.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Oasis At Heaton Park Information For Ticket Holders

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Heaton Park, Manchester June 4th, 6th &7th 2009

Access

Access to the venue will commence at 2.00pm. Patrons can enter the park via entrances on Middleton Road and Bury Old Road. There are no parking facilities available as the park is within a residential area with parking restrictions.

We therefore advise that you either plan your route using public transport or use the Park and Ride facility.

Venue

The venue will be a fenced off area within the park. There is no cover for the audience, so please take appropriate clothing for the expected weather conditions. The concert will be cancelled in the event of extreme inclement weather. Please note that there will be no cloakroom facilities. You should also be aware that these are 3 separate concerts and not a Festival, there is no camping available and it is strictly prohibited to camp anywhere within Heaton Park, campers will be removed. We would also like to point out that the park is used by families and would therefore ask that you do not take your own alcohol into the park, you should also be aware that Glass is not permitted in the park for this event.

Refreshments

A range of catering facilities offering a variety of food and drink (both alcoholic and soft drinks) will be available in the arena when the ates open. Please note that credit cards will not be accepted. You are not permitted to take in your own food & beverage into the arena other than 500ml sealed plastic bottles of water. Please note that C allenge 21 will be strictly enforced at all bars. The following forms of ID will be accepted as proof of a e; Passport, Driving Licence or PASS accredited proof of a e card.

Greater Manchester Police would like you to enjoy your visit to Heaton park and would therefore recommend that you plan your journey to arrive in plenty of time. T e Police ave also advised patrons to drink sensibly and warned that the arena is a licensed premise and anybody who appears to be drunk will be refused entry. They ave also warned t at searches will take place on all patrons before they enter and illegal substances are strictly prohibited.

Travel

If you are travelling via public transport to and from Heaton Park please plan your forward and return journey before you leave. If you are using Metrolink, Heaton Park station will be closed at the end of the concert and you will have to use Bowker Vale station. There will be Shuttle buses available at the end of the concert - Stewards can direct you to their location. The following bus services stop either at or close to Heaton Park; 51, 59, , 9, 135, 137, 13 , 149, 167 & X35.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Kaiser Chiefs Andrew White Wants To Poke Noel Gallagher In The Eye

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Kaiser Chiefs are breakfasting in West London and attempting to make sense of the latest attack on them by Noel Gallagher. Having previously dismissed the Leeds five-piece as ‘indie rubbish’, Gallagher has now threatened: ‘If I’m at a celebrity football match and I’m up against somebody from Kaiser Chiefs then they’re going to hospital and that’s the end of that.’

When asked how he would react if Gallagher walked into the room right now, Andrew ‘Whitey’ White, the band’s lead guitarist, says, ‘I think that I would poke him in the eye.’

Lead singer Ricky Wilson is more relaxed. ‘You’ve got to hand it to Noel,’ he says. ‘He is a genius at getting people talking about him.’

Nick Hodgson, drummer and chief songwriter, nods. ‘I don’t think it’s worth getting riled about,’ he says.

‘Every time Noel puts out a record he has a rant at some band. With his last few records it happens to be us in the firing line. I just see it as a bit of sport. I’ve learned to enjoy all the abuse that’s levelled at us. We should be used to it by now.’

Taking their name from a South African football club, Kaiser Chiefs made it big in 2005 – but had already been together seven years. Their album, Employment, spawned major hits in I Predict A Riot and Modern Way. Their follow-up, Yours Truly, Angry Mob, gave them their first No 1 in Ruby and a No 2 with The Angry Mob.

Their recent third album, Off With Their Heads, is another triumph, shot through with the Kaisers’ irrepressible melody and wit. Though Noel Gallagher might well take issue with that...

There’s a widespread belief that musicians lie about in bed all day, but nothing could be further from the truth. If you’re touring there’s always an early flight to catch. There’s nothing I hate more than an early start. I was saying that to Liam Gallagher once and he said to me, ‘I don’t mind the early mornings and I don’t mind the long nights. It’s the afternoons I hate.’ Maybe he’s referring to the moment when the hangover kicks in.

Read the full interview here.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

The Enemy Want Peace Before Playing On Oasis Home Turf

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The Enemy rushed to make peace with Oasis yesterday...just days before joining them on tour.

The chart-topping trio - singer Tom Clarke, bassist Andy Hopkins and drummer Liam Watts - will walk into the lions' den when they open for the Manc rockers on their home turf.

It is their first show with the Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, since a bust-up.

Liam dubbed Tom Clarke "a little f****r" after The Enemy frontman reportedly said: "I don't think Noel needs to do it anymore."

Yesterday, drummer Watts said it was all a misunderstanding and claimed his band would not exist if it wasn't for Oasis.

He insisted he cannot wait to meet Liam backstage to shake his hand and thank him.

He said: "What Tom said was meant as a massive compliment, we are massive fans and being asked to support Oasis is the biggest compliment we have ever had. They are the reason we started a band.

"I remember the first time I heard their music. My older brother played their 1994 debut album Definitely Maybe at home when I was still at primary school. I thought it sounded amazing.

"Oasis were the soundtrack to my life. We identified with them and thought, if they can do it, maybe we can too."

The Enemy support Oasis in Manchester on Sunday and will also open for the band at Murrayfield on June 17, with Kasabian.

But we can reveal they have confirmed a UK headline tour with gigs at Edinburgh Corn Exchange on November 10 and Glasgow's O2 Academy the next night.

Watts said: "We can't wait to play for our own fans. We know them so well we recognise the front row at every gig.

"When we supported The Rolling Stones and Stereophonics, we had to work the crowd but that's the challenge."

On June 22, they release new single Sing When You're In Love from their stunning Music For The People album.

It is the follow-up to 2007 debut We'll Live And Die In These Towns, which features hits 40 Days And 40 Nights, Away From Here and chart-topper It's Not Okay.

Watts added: "If we'd tried to remake the first album we would definitely have fallen on our a***.

"We went into the studio with a bunch of songs which just sounded bigger. As long as you've got a bit of fire in your belly you'll make great music."

Watts can pinpoint the moment he realised The Enemy would make it.

He said: "In 2007, I was listening to Radio One in my car and Zane Lowe was doing his Fresh Meat slot where he plays three new bands and listeners vote for their favourite.

" When he played the first two I thought: ' We're much better than them.' I couldn't believe it when I heard the opening drum fill of 40 Days And 40 Nights come on next. We went on to win it."

Tickets for the November tour go on sale on Thursday. See www.gigsinscotland.com or call 08444 999 990.

Source: www.sundaymail.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Oasis Overtaken By Web

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Oasis will be replaced by the internet, claim Kasabian.

Guitarist Serge Pizzorno insists modern technology is preventing musicians from becoming popular because the public are saturated with too much information and choice.

Serge said: 'I don't think there's room for a band like Oasis anymore, you'll never get a phenomenon like that again. The internet dilutes everything. You can't just see a band on the TV once a week and then have to invest in buying the single.

'We used to go out and find a new song on a Monday morning, then you'd open the cover and read everything about it. That just doesn't exist anymore. It's a shame. If you never had it, you'll never miss it but when you've got the last of it you go, 'That was good, wasn't it?' '

Singer Tom Meighan believes people are transforming into humanoid robots that will need computers to help them reproduce.

He said: 'We're turning into cyborgs, can you imagine in another 20 years plugged into that f**king thing on the screen? Can you imagine another 50 years? No one will give a f**k anymore. People will make children on the internet. They'll pick the colour of their eyes. It's going to happen, I'm telling you.'

Source: www.msn.com

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

On This Day In Oasis History

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Don't Believe the Truth is the sixth studio album by Oasis, released on 30 May 2005. It reached #1 in the UK Albums Chart with first week sales of just under 238,000, and is the 32nd fastest selling album ever in the UK. The album entered the U.S. charts at #12, with 65,000 copies sold in the first week, the highest any Oasis album has reached there since 1997's Be Here Now, although its chart stay was brief. Don't Believe the Truth went triple platinum in the U.K. in the first week of 2006 (900,000+ sales), and in the U.S. has sold more than 200,000 copies. As of November 2008, Don't Believe the Truth has sold around 5 million copies worldwide.

Every member of the band contributed to the writing of tracks for the album, and the album is the first where all duties were divided between the band members. On some of the tracks regular bass player Andy Bell handled guitar, while Gem Archer and Noel Gallagher contributed bass to other songs. Don't Believe the Truth is the first Oasis record to feature the drumming of Zak Starkey, who replaced Oasis' longtime drummer Alan White.

Liam Gallagher also had a larger impact on the album by his developing songwriting. Noel has said that this album is his favourite of Oasis' last four, because all members have contributed to it. This, he claims, has given it a different feel to a typically Noel-written Oasis album.

The band embarked on a massive worldwide tour that started off at the London Astoria for their Don't Believe the Truth Tour, visiting 26 countries and playing to 2 million people at a total of 113 concerts. This resulted in the making of Lord Don't Slow Me Down, a film later released on DVD.

Recording

The recording process for Don't Believe the Truth was prolonged. The album was originally supposed to be released around summer/autumn 2004, with an initial 3-4 week session produced by Death in Vegas. The recording finally began after Alan White's departure in January 2004 at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall, though the group wasn't satisfied with the results, as Noel said "Unfortunately, after the recording process we decided we didn't like anything we had played/recorded during those three weeks, and because of commitments with Death In Vegas, Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes couldn't find any more time to give to the project."

Noel has commented since on numerous occasions that there was no problem with the work done by Death In Vegas, but he felt the songs they were working on were simply not good enough to form a record, and felt a break was needed in which new material would have to be written. In Noel's words: "We were trying to polish a turd". Around 10 songs were worked on with Death In Vegas of which, according to Noel, 6 were "not even good enough to make the b-sides". Four of the tracks which eventually appeared on the album were worked on with Death In Vegas, those songs being: "Turn Up the Sun", "Mucky Fingers", "A Bell Will Ring" and "The Meaning of Soul", although all of these had extra work done to them or were re-recorded before being released.

After a short break in which many new songs, including "Let There Be Love", "Lyla" and "Part of The Queue" were written, the band reconvened at their Wheeler End Studios with Noel as producer. The band were joined on these sessions by The Who's drummer Zak Starkey. In June 2004, Oasis debuted two new songs from these sessions, the Liam-written "The Meaning of Soul" and the Gem-written "A Bell Will Ring" at two live shows in Poole and at the Glastonbury Festival.

After hearing of the band's production problems from Oasis manager Marcus Russell, American producer Dave Sardy expressed interest in taking over production duties. Sardy was given tapes of existing recording sessions to mix, and after his work was praised by the band, he arrived in the UK to oversee new recording sessions at Olympic Studios in London. These sessions did not last long before he asked the band to travel to Los Angeles and re-record most of the album there, as he felt more comfortable working in a studio closer to home. With the band eventually agreeing to this, recording sessions began at Capitol Studios in October 2004 with the band spending around 9 weeks there.

Release

The decision to have the lead-off single, "Lyla", on the album was a controversial one, prompted by the label's feeling that there wasn't a suitable lead single among the tracks originally presented. As a result, the decision was taken to record "Lyla", a song which Noel had written and demoed a year previously, but which wasn't recorded by the band during the previous recording sessions. It was decided that Dave Sardy would remix Noel's original demo with Liam recording a set of lead vocals and Zak adding a fresh drum track. "Lyla" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number nineteen on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. After having initial reservations about the choice of the first single being taken out of the hands of the band, Noel, who initially wanted "Mucky Fingers" to be the first single, has now reluctantly conceded that the song has indeed "done the business".

In April 2005, four tracks from a promo disc leaked: "The Meaning of Soul", "Mucky Fingers", "Keep the Dream Alive", and "Let There Be Love". The full album found its way onto the Internet on 3 May 2005, when Apple Inc. accidentally put the album up early for sale on their iTunes Music Store service in Germany. While there was no official comment by Apple or by Oasis management, it was speculated that Apple simply got "May 30" confused with "May 03" or "May 3".

Reception

Considered a rebirth for the band, Don't Believe The Truth received extremely positive reviews. The album won two Q Awards: a special People's Choice Award and Best Album. Critics praised the new sound and the straightforwardness of the drumming of Zak Starkey after a decade of the drumming presence of Alan White.

During interviews, the band has commented very positively on the album about the creation of it, have complimented Archer and Bell on their creativity and contribution of their multiple tracks making the record sound, described by Noel as "Fresh and a Breath Of New Life for Us all." Noel Gallagher said to NME: "The finished album is my favourite one of the last four. Because we're all contributing to the songwriting there's a different feel to it. In fact, the only songs that sound like Oasis are Andy Bell's funnily enough." On 'Rock Profiles' Interviews, both Gallagher and Bell had commented that during their hiatus in 2004, that they had to make a record for their fans and to inspire the people who had become interested in them in the first place. Stating that they had nothing to lose since most of their fans and critics had been displeased since the release of Be Here Now, they could make a new and defining record.

In 2008, Don't Believe the Truth was voted the 14th best British album of the last 50 years by a poll conducted by Q Magazine and HMV.

Track listing

"Turn Up the Sun" (Andy Bell) – 3:59
"Mucky Fingers" (Noel Gallagher) – 3:56
"Lyla" (N. Gallagher) – 5:10
"Love Like a Bomb" (Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer) – 2:53
"The Importance of Being Idle" (N. Gallagher) – 3:40
"The Meaning of Soul" (L. Gallagher) – 1:43
"Guess God Thinks I'm Abel" (L. Gallagher) – 3:25
"Part of the Queue" (N. Gallagher) – 3:48
"Keep the Dream Alive" (Bell) – 5:46
"A Bell Will Ring" (Archer) – 3:08
"Let There Be Love" (N. Gallagher) – 5:29

Bonus tracks

"Can Y'see It Now? (I Can See It Now!!)" – 4:19 (Japanese CD release)
"Sittin' Here in Silence (On My Own)" – 2:00 (N. Gallagher) (Japanese CD release, and available as a b-side on the "Let There Be Love" single)
"Pass Me Down the Wine" – 3:50 (L. Gallagher) (U.S. iTunes release, and available as a b-side on the "The Importance of Being Idle" single)
"Eyeball Tickler" – 2:47 (Archer) (UK and Canadian iTunes release, and available as a b-side on the "Lyla" single)

Special editions

A limited edition version of the album was released in the UK which included a 30 minute DVD featuring interviews with the band and other staff who worked on the album, the promo video for "Lyla" and additional cover artwork. These features were released in the U.S. on the DualDisc edition of the album.

As part of a promotional spot for Oasis' latest lp "Dont Believe The Truth" Best Buy stores released an exclusive, limited edition, free live 5-song cd enclosed in copies of D.B.T.T. This features music from their 1994 Metro Club Show in Chicago Il. USA. Track listing includes: 1. Rock and Roll Star 2. Columbia 3. Live Forever 4. Cigarettes and Alcohol 5. Supersonic.

Music Videos



Lyla



The Importance Of Being Idle



Let There Be Love

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Happy Birthday Chris Sharrock

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Chris Sharrock (born 30 May 1964 (45 Today) in Bebington, Wirral, Merseyside, England) is a British drummer. Currently a member of Oasis, Sharrock has a long history of being an official member of many noted British bands, including The Icicle Works, The La's, World Party and The Lightning Seeds.

Photo Credit: Paul Bachmann

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Countdown To Oasis At The Stadium Of Light

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It's just over a week until Oasis play the Stadium of Light as part of their UK tour. Oasis will also be supported by special guests Reverend & The Makers, Kasabian and The Enemy.

The Stadium of Light is looking forward to welcoming close to 160,000 music fans in one week and has planned to make attending the concerts as enjoyable an experience as possible.

A special concert website has been designed to help you enjoy your visit to the Stadium of Light www.safcconcerts.com and we'd encourage you to visit this before you come to the concert to familarise yourself with the site map and other key information.

The website includes information on the band as well as a city visitors guide if you're intending arriving earlier in the day to event information including maps, safety information, lost and found and conditions of entry, FAQ's and a comprehensive travel guide, which details all you need to know about public transport, parking and road closures.

Enjoy your visit to the Sunderland Stadium of Light

Thanks To Michael

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Free MP3 For Oasis Tour Support Band

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As many of you will be seeing Twisted Wheel play at the Manchester and Coventry gigs, Columbia Records have very kindly given us an MP3 of their album track 'Bouncing Bomb' so you can check the band out before seeing them play live.

To get your MP3, click here >>

To check out the band's MySpace click here >>

Source: Email from THE OFFICIAL OASIS ONLINE STORE

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Sergio Pizzorno: "Noel Gallagher Has Inspired Me More Than Any Teacher Or Historical Figure"

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Kasabian have had chart success with singles such as Club Foot, LSF, Processed Beats, Empire, Shoot The Runner and on June 1 they are releasing Fire, which is already getting huge airplay on BBC Radio 1.

“It is not your average pop single,” said Serge. It is different, a beautiful thing.”

For the guitarist it is inspiring the next generation that gives him the biggest buzz.

“If they watch the show and want to start a band that’s great. These talent shows are fair enough, but we come from a stable of incredible rock music and we need more of it,” he said The musician was inspired himself at 14 by Noel Gallagher from Oasis, and this summer Kasabian are touring with their rock heroes.

“When I was 14 Brit Pop was the centre of the world, and Noel was my music hero initially. He inspired me more than any teacher or historical figure.” Noel jumped up on stage with Kasabian and played three songs with them at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay street party in 2007.

“It will be a wicked line-up on the Oasis tour including us and The Enemy,” said Serge.

Source: www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Kasabian: The Oasis Dates Are Going To Be Fucking Brilliant

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Tom and Serge from Kasabian have told the Daily Star that the Oasis dates that start next week are going to be "fu**ing brilliant, there going to be great rock shows, really powerful," insisted Tom.

"We are going to play a really high energy set, promised Serge.

Checking out Oasis' old rivals Blur isn't on Kasabian's agenda, however.

"If I went to a Blur gig we would probably get sneered at," cringed Tom.

Kasabian's new single 'Fire' is out on June 1. The Album follows on the 8th.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Something For The Weekend ...

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It's official. Here at the Pretty Green HQ we've got that Friday feeling and are pleased to announce that the members' only shop will launch on the 4th of June at 09:21hrs (BST). We'll send you a reminder nearer the time, but to get a feel for what's to come, make sure you check out the website on Monday morning at 09:21 hrs (BST) for a new look and an unmissable new film.

Source: www.prettygreen.com

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Oasis Star Lets Rip

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Here is Oasis singer Liam Gallagher as you have never heard him before, digging out his soul and discussing fashion, Coldplay, Susan Boyle and the joys of Twitter in a startling face-to-face interview with CityLife journalist David Sue.

Liam Gallagher is up on his feet, arms outstretched and gently arching his body forward, as if he were some land-based, Mancunian breed of the albatross.

This show of theatrics, we soon realise, is very typical of the Liam Gallagher experience; the Oasis frontman often physicalising every last drop of enthusiasm and excitement when mere words won't suffice.

And when it comes to the subject of this coming week's trio of big gigs at Heaton Park, Liam is very enthusiastic. And animated.

"I'm totally buzzin' about these gigs," he enthuses, in the way only Liam can enthuse. "In total seriousness, I reckon these gigs have the potential to be even better than the Knebworth shows. It's been a top year for the band, and we're approaching these gigs at the top of our game. My mind is totally on it. With those Knebworth gigs, we were off our heads and we totally sped into it. With these Heaton Park gigs, we're more ..."

Liam jumps to his feet, before adopting his albatross pose: ".... we're more breezing into these gigs. It's not so chaotic. We're a miles better band than we were at Knebworth and Maine Road, and we'll show it. People will have their heads blown off."

An upbeat, cordial, and most of all, forward-thinking Liam - well, what did anyone expect? In fairness, CityLife wasn't really banking on anything.

After all, for much of Oasis' lifespan, Noel Gallagher has done most of the talking for everyone; the older brother, main songwriter and band chief winning a reputation for his raconteur-like interview skills and droll Mancunian put-downs.

Younger brother Liam meanwhile - so often demonised by the tabloid press - has viewed the whole `media game' as pure anathema; happy to let his older brother sell the `Oasis brand' and provide priceless soundbites to headline-hungry journalists.

But not from this day forward. On a beautiful, sun-kissed May afternoon, CityLife has been invited to a swish London hotel for an exclusive one-to-one with the newly independent Liam - independent of his brother, and most crucially, independent in his own business affairs.

For we are here not to discuss the Oasis brand, but rather (most controversially), his non-music brand; and that's Pretty Green, Liam's first venture into the fashion world. You heard it right; Liam the fashion mogul.

But how seriously is he taking this fashion lark? Does he have ambitions to be the next Jean-Paul Gaultier?

"Pretty Green started 'cos I wasn't finding the clothes I liked anywhere in the shops," explains Liam. "So Pretty Green is just my personal taste. I'm not trying to force my fashion opinions on anyone. I'm just not into all these new rock 'n' roll fashions.

``These days, all the geezers in bands wanna look like women. Like, why's everyone in bands wearing braces? If you're gonna wear braces, try buying a pair of jeans that fit. The worst dressed band have got to be Coldplay. What are those uniforms about? My kids have got play outfits that are better than Coldplay's. I mean, if you're gonna win a Grammy Award, don't turn up looking like binmen! Disgraceful. Make a bit of effort, I say."

To illustrate this point, Liam has turned up for today's meeting looking like a walking billboard for his Pretty Green label; dressed head-to-toe in rakish mod attire (green parka, floral neckerchief, Sta-Prest trousers and blue desert boots) which he himself had a hand in designing.

Yet, the image of Liam Gallagher - the nocturnal rock'n'roll renegade - hunched over a sketchpad drawing designs for trousers is all rather hard to compute.

"For me, music and fashion have always come together," insists Liam. "It was the Roses and the Mondays that first brought those things together for me. Before they came along, bands all looked like sweaty rockers, like Guns N' Roses, it was all very gloomy. But then The Stone Roses came along and brought this big splash of colour. It was the music and the fashion, it came as a package.

``With Pretty Green, it's all about my personal tastes. I'm not trying to make a massive statement about men's fashion and I'm definitely not gonna appear on TV with Gok Wan. I know Gok Wan pretty well, he's alright. I know him through the missus. But I won't be appearing on his show. Or Lorraine Kelly's. No chance."

Will you get Noel to model for you? Will there ever be a time when all Oasis members play gigs in regulation Pretty Green uniforms?

"Our kid will have to buy his own Pretty Green gear. He's getting no freebies!," exclaims Liam. "I can't see all of Oasis going on-stage dressed head-to-toe in Pretty Green outfits. We're not Showaddywaddy."

Independence, then, seems to be the operative word in the Oasis camp these days. But while Liam's fashion enterprise might be best seen as rock star folly (The Beatles did also open their own clothing boutique, after all), then more ominous signs are emerging from his brother's camp.

Recent revelations that Noel is planning to go solo after these up-coming UK stadium dates have clearly got Oasis fans in a worry. In one of Noel's most recent blog posts, he stated that `Oasis were currently a rudderless ship' and that the band `needed to take a very long break, possibly for five years' after this current tour wraps up. Liam, meanwhile, writing on his Twitter page, snapped back: `It won't be a five year break if I've got anything to do with it', before dismissing Noel and Russell Brand as a pair of `old housewives'.

So, what's the truth behind this bickering: are Oasis really going through such stormy waters?

Liam doesn't mention his brother by name, but we all know who he's referring to.

"If someone is gonna stop me making music and stop me playing live for five years, then I'm gonna go do something else creative aren't I?" protests Liam, his tone a mix of defiance and anger. "If this person is gonna put me on the shelf for five years, then I'm gonna find something else to do. So Pretty Green is what I'm doing while someone tries to pull the plug on other things.

"I've heard him say, `Our kid needs to be in the papers all the time'. That's rubbish - I don't wanna be in the papers at all. It's him that wants to be in the papers. He's loving his new- found fame, hanging out in the Groucho Club with **** comedians like Russell Bland (sic). I don't need to be in the public eye at all. It's him. I'd rather be doing cool and exciting things like a clothing label."

What's with all this cyberspace bickering - aren't Oasis supposed to be totally anti-internet?

"Twitter is like a necessary evil to me," says Liam with a mischievous grin. "I'm only using it for Pretty Green stuff, but I'm sort of enjoying it now. I can answer back and set things straight. No, actually, I take that back - I despise Twitter, I despise Facebook, I ****ing hate the internet, I hate it all. But most of all I despise the fact that I'm starting to like it."

Sibling rivalry indeed. But for now at least, and in the words of their finest B-side Acquiesce, the Gallagher brothers really do need each other.

And that's because Oasis are due over the next week to play their biggest Manchester dates - three shows at Heaton Park, with an estimated 200,000 turn-out, plus a star support line-up (Kasabian, The Enemy and CityLife faves Twisted Wheel) that effectively turns the dates into a fully-fledged ladrock festival.

"These gigs are gonna be proper events," declares Liam. "We had the offer of playing City of Manchester Stadium again, but I wasn't into it. It just feels too safe playing in a stadium, y'know? I want these gigs to be a mega day out for everyone, the same as it was for me on Spike Island. A real celebration of beautiful mad heads in the north."

Yet for all Liam's obvious affection for his home town and its people, these days he might need an A-Z to find his way around this city.

"Manchester is pretty unrecognisable to me," says a slightly rueful Liam. "I went out there last year, after we played a gig in Sheffield. But I need a map to find my way around these days. I had a top time, though. I went on the big wheel and then had a few pints in a pub in Castlefield.

"I'll tell you what, though, I was the only Mancunian in the pub! I was like, `Where you from?'. And people were like: `Burnley', `Bolton'. I was like, `Where have all the real Mancs gone?'. I've got a lot of mates in Manchester, and me mam is up there. But I've got my own life and my family in London, so I don't really visit much. Anyway, all my mates from Manchester just end up coming to our gigs and drinking all my free beer backstage. They do my head in."

Liam's angst has no doubt been assuaged by Oasis' incredible (give or take a few cyberspace squabbles) past 12 months. Indeed, with the band's most recent album Dig Out Your Soul being widely heralded as a `return to form', and their critical and commercial stock higher than ever (even in America, where the album charted at number five), Oasis are experiencing a sort of second Britpop love-in.

You could say it makes a rather neat synchronicity how Oasis' greatest Britpop rivals, Blur, have recently re-formed to play some big summer gigs. It's Blur vs Oasis all over again, and one must wonder whether Liam plans to pop along and watch Damon Albarn and co.

"I'm right into the Blur reunion," says Liam, rather surprisingly. Yet, thankfully, this response is laced with trademark sarcasm. "Cos it'll finish off the Kaiser Chiefs and put them to bed. There's nothing worse than a **** Blur. And at least the original **** Blur are back to finish off all these other **** Blurs. I'm bang into the Blur reunion."

"I'll tell you what, though, all these band reunions recently, it just goes to show who's the real deal. Oasis have never split up. Now all these bands have come back, just as the recession is kicking in. They've all been found out. Spandau Ballet? I've seen Tony Hadley, and it's more like Spandau Belly."

Our time is coming to an end, and we're left in no doubt that Liam is relishing having the interview spotlight to himself.

Indeed, what began as a simple interview has now developed into an extended session of Liam setting the world to rights - from the ongoing MPs' expenses scandal ("I'd send them all to Iraq, that'd teach them a lesson") to Manchester City's woeful season ("Mark Hughes should stay put. Let's give someone a chance. We've got rid of too many managers") and even, most bizarrely, the Britain's Got Talent final ("Susan Boyle, I'm bang into it man. But she's had it all sewn up from the first audition, hasn't she?").

But love or loathe him, that's just the wonder and enigma of the rock'n'roll cartoon that is William Gallagher, the greatest vocalist of his generation, rabid Manc motormouth, occasional bird impersonator, and now, most improbably, a bona fide fashion guru. Truly, a most dedicated follower of passion.

Oasis play Heaton Park on June 4, 6 and 7. Pretty Green: prettygreen.com.

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Happy Birthday Noel Gallagher

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Happy Birthday to 'The Chief' Noel Gallagher who is 42 today.

One Week To Go Till Oasis Start The UK Stadium Tour

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Oasis begin their largest ever UK Stadium Tour next Thursday (4th June) in Heaton Park, Manchester.

They will then move on to the following places.

Heaton Park - Manchester (United Kingdom) - 6th June
Heaton Park - Manchester (United Kingdom) - 7th June
Stadium Of Light - Sunderland (United Kingdom) - 10th June
Millennium Stadium - Cardiff (United Kingdom) - 12th June
Murrayfield - Edinburgh (United Kingdom) - 17th June

Ricoh Arena - Coventry (United Kingdom) - 7th July
Wembley Stadium - London (United Kingdom) - 9th July
Wembley Stadium - London (United Kingdom) - 11th July
Wembley Stadium - London (United Kingdom) - 12th July

Together with a whole host of shows in Europe, it's going to be a busy few weeks for the band.

Théâtre Antique de Vienne - Vienne (France) - 14th June
Slane Castle - County Meath (Ireland) - 20th June

Rock Werchter - (Belgium) - 2nd July
Roskilde Festival - Roskilde - (Denmark) - 3rd July
Eden Project - Bodelva (United Kingdom) - 14th July
Benicàssim Festival - Castellón (Spain) - 16th July
Gurten Festival - Berne (Switzerland) - 18th July
Melt Festival - Gräfenhainichen (near Dessau) (Germany) - 19th July
iTunes Festival - London - 21st July

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

For more information about the European Festival appearances and upcoming shows click here for more details.

Paul Weller Announces New DVD & CD Set

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Paul Weller will release a new DVD set, 'Just A Dream', on June 8th, it will feature the full live session recorded by Paul Weller for the BBC that was first televised in December 2008.

It also contains 21 tracks in all and includes 6 previously unseen performances.

Other features include a 5-track session recorded for Channel 4, the videos for 'Have You Made Up Your Mind' and 'Echoes Round The Sun' and an exclusive and candid end-of-2008 interview with Paul and his band.

For more details visit Paul Weller's site here.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Stadium Of Light Ready For Oasis And Take That

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Thousands of pounds has been spent and almost 1,500 staff have been hired to prepare for Wearside's biggest ever concerts.

Sunderland AFC is expecting more than 160,000 fans at the Stadium of Light for the Take That and Oasis gigs in June.

The stadium has undergone rigorous testing, costing £50,000, to ensure it can withstand the rhythmic jumping and swaying of thousands of music fans.

The courtyard area, in the car park in front of Black Cats House, will be fitted out to host bars and refreshment stalls for up to 10,000 people.

The stage for Take That, on June 5 and June 6, will be set up in the South Stand, but will be replaced by a different stage for Oasis, on June 10.

The rest of the pitch will be covered by a special Supertrack surface.

Peter Weymes, facilities manager at the stadium, said: "Everyone is looking forward to it. They are two great bands and there's a feeling that there could not be a better debut for the Stadium of Light as a concert venue.''

There are still a limited number of hospitality packages available from £63.61 for all concerts.

For more information visit www.safcconcerts.com or call 0871 911 1500.

Source: www.sunderlandecho.com

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Win Tickets To The iTunes Festival

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Oasis announced last week that they will be playing the iTunes festival on 21st July at The Roundhouse, Camden.

Don't forget to visit iTunesLive.co.uk for your ticket registration.

For all iTunes Live updates you can join the Facebook community Here Become a friend and you'll be able to download the music video for 'The Shock Of The Lightning' until June 1st from iTunes for free.

Gig tickets are NOT available to buy. For the chance to see your favourite artists up-close and for free, click here to visit the festival profile and follow the ticket application instructions.

There are hundreds of of gig tickets on Facebook to be won, but if you do not have a Facebook account you could win a limited number of tickets here.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Get Up Close With Oasis

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STV is giving you and a friend the chance to attend the exclusive Oasis soundcheck!

It's your chance to get up close to the legendary band before anyone else at their highly anticipated gig at Murrayfield Stadium!

Not only that, you'll be there to watch the band blast out their hits to a massive crowd at the gig later that night on Wednesday 17th June.

Are you mad for it?!

Competition closes at 9am on Monday 8th June
- 5 x winners only
- Tickets are non refundable or exchangeable
- Cameras, mobile phones and any other recording equipment are not permitted during the soundcheck

To enter the competition visit here

Source: www.stv.tv

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Oasis Concert Promotors Highlight Road Closures

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The promoters behind the three Oasis concerts to be staged at Heaton Park next week hope that motorists don’t look back in anger!

For the gigs, to take place on June 4, June 6 and June 7, will result in a series of road closures in and around the concert venue.

These will come in to place on the evening of each concert from 9.30pm onwards until the audience has dispersed and the roads can safely be opened, which is anticipated to be around 1am.

The road closures will affect: • Bury Old Road between Heywood Road and Scholes Lane/Sheepfoot Lane; • Sheepfoot Lane, between Bury Old Road and Middleton Road.

Diversion signs will be put in place on the nights of the concerts to allow motorists to take alternate routes. There will also be signs put up in up in advance of the concerts to advise residents of these road closures.

There will also be waiting restrictions in place on Bury Old Road, Sheepfoot Lane and St. Margaret’s Road from around midday on concert days. Similar restrictions will be provided on each of the side roads in the vicinity of their junctions with the main roads.

Signs will be provided to exclude concert traffic from the residential areas near the venue and additional enforcement will be in place to deal with illegally parked and obstructive vehicles.

A Bury Council spokesman said: “We are aware that there will be disruption in the area around Heaton Park for local residents throughout the durations of the concerts.

“Staff from Bury Council have been working alongside representatives from organisations such as the police, Manchester City Council and the concert promoters to put plans in place to help keep this to a minimum. However, we also want to make local residents aware that road closures could be brought into operation at other times if circumstances make this necessary”.

More information about the concert and the plans which have been put in place to minimise the impact on local residents can be found on the Heaton Park website at www.heatonpark.org.uk.

Meanwhile, as anticipation mounts, concert promoters, SJM Concerts are working with Manchester City Council to ensure the three day event is safe, successful and enjoyable for everyone from concert-goers to the local community. This includes a community information hotline 0161 954 9003, which is a dedicated line for local residents and businesses to call if they have any questions or concerns about the concerts. It will be available from 8am next Thursday (June 4) until 1am after each show.

Other arrangements include park and ride facilities near Heaton Park and shuttle buses to and from the city centre.

Rob Ballantine, director of SJM Concerts, said: “It’s great to see a band from Manchester utilising one of Europe’s finest public parks in their home town for what will be a great celebration of everything Manchester has to offer.

“While this is the first time the park has seen an event of such magnitude since the Pope’s visit in 1982, there has been more than six months of planning involving all agencies and councils and we are confident that the concerts will be well received and a great success.”

Anyone with further queries can contact: community information hotline 0161 954 9003; the Metrolink information helpline 0161 205 2000; or the traffic management hotline on 07500 452242.

Source: www.burytimes.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.
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