Idris Elba Details Run-In With Liam Gallagher At Nme Awards

Actor Idris Elba has admitted that his confrontation with Liam Gallagher at last month's NME Awards was caused by a row over a hat.

The pair made headlines after they reportedly clashed at an after party at The Ivy in London in February (February 27), with eye-witnesses claiming that they had squabbled because Gallagher made fun of Elba's bobble hat.

Now, in an interview with the Guardian, Elba - star of TV shows such as The Wire and Luther - has confirmed that his choice of headgear was the reason for the incident. Asked if they'd had a fight, he said: "Not really. We just had a little exchange of words."

Then, when asked if his bobble hat had been at the centre of the row, he replied: MY hat, not a bobble hat. It got blown out of proportion, but we kept our hats on, so to speak. It was a good hat, man. I guess he just took against it. He must have thought it looked silly, because he tried to grab it.

Gallagher's band Beady Eye are set to release their second album this year, and the frontman has told NME to expect the record Oasis should have made after '(What's The Story) Morning Glory?'.

He said: "I'm not saying it's better than 'Be Here Now' or it's going to be this or that - I love 'Be Here Now', I won't have a bad word said about it but when you're selling 20 million records, you've got people there going, 'Oh let's just chuck out that formula again'. So I'm a bit disappointed we didn't ever do it. But this fucking record: we've booted the door off the hinges and steamed right in there, into this other world."

Source: www.nme.com

Noel Gallagher's On The Radio This Sunday

Sunday: 16:30 (UK Time) on BBC Radio 4.

 Poet and DJ Mr Gee talks to songwriters about poetry and how it influences their work.

The performance poet, DJ and broadcaster, Mr Gee - familiar from his work on Saturday Live and Russell Brand's Radio 2 show - is fascinated by poetry and songwriting, the similarities and the differences between these crafts. He seeks out songwriters who love poetry and hears from them about the importance of poetry in their lives and the way it influences their songwriting.

Noel Gallagher recalls going to see poets such as John Cooper Clarke and Lemn Sissay perform, and explains how his songs are metaphorical and imagistic, using the techniques of poetry.

Cerys Matthews, who came to fame two decades ago as the singer in Catatonia, is a Welsh speaker, in which language poetry is written in strict, elaborate forms. The poets she cites as influential include Walt Whitman and Allen Ginsberg, whose work, formally, ranges as wide as the plains of America, with enormously long lines and patterns like mountain ranges. These poets inspire her directly, she tells Mr Gee, then she picks up her guitar and sings.

For Richard Thompson the influence of the poets he loves - Eliot, Yeats and John Clare - is more tangential. It colours the mood and tone of his great songs of modern England. Sometimes the rhythms of poems find their way into his songs. He is struck by the power of traditional songs, how they evoke characters, and unfold stories in images.

Akala plays a game, firing quotes from Shakespeare and rap songs and challenging Mr Gee to identify which is which. This leads to serious discussion about the common ground between Shakespeare and Hip-hop, and the poetic richness of contemporary popular culture.

And Rapper Jordan Stephens, from Rizzle Kicks, reveals how poetry was at the centre of his upbringing and how one poem is so important to him that he's had it tattooed on his forearm.

Mr Gee hears, too, from someone working the other way around. Ian McMillan, enthusiast of what his wife calls 'squeaky gate music' by, for instance, Captain Beefheart, reveals how songs have influenced the poetry he writes, some of which is then set to music.

More information can be found here.

Noel Gallagher Admits He Wants To Be Involved With Teenage Cancer Trust 2014

Noel Gallagher has told Xfm plans are already afoot for next year's series of charity shows - and he wants to be involved again...

Noel Gallagher's told Xfm - after curating the 2013 series of Teenage Cancer Trust Shows at the Royal Albert Hall in place of Sir Roger Daltrey - he definitely wants to be involved again.

"Oh yeah of course, plans are already started for next year," he admitted to Xfm's Jon Holmes.

"First and foremost it is Roger's thing. If in any way I can help - whether it be playing, phoning people up, signing autographs, doing whatever and if I'm around I'm always here to help.

"I love and I'll take away some great memories from this week that'll last me a lifetime."

Noel Gallagher took on putting on this year's shows after being asked by The Who frontman - who had touring commitments in the US.

Ryan Adams, Russell Brand, Primal Scream, Kasabian, Noel himself and Paul Weller all performed at the annual series, which came to a close at the start of this week.

The highlight had to be Noel Gallagher putting one of Britpop's biggest fued officially to bed - by performing with Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon from Blur on Saturday night.

They joined together for a special rendition of the classic Blur song Tender.

Accompanying them on drums was The Modfather himself, Paul Weller.

Source: www.xfm.co.uk

Paul McCartney Claims Oasis' Comparisons With The Beatles Was 'Kiss Of Death'

Paul McCartney has spoken out about Oasis comparing themselves to The Beatles, saying that he does not think any band can live up to the comparison.

Speaking about his influence on the Britpop era of music in the mid-1990s, McCartney told Q that he was happy to be referenced by a new generation of bands but he felt they were raising expectations to a point that could not be matched when comparing themselves to The Beatles. "I'm actually kind of honoured," he said. "They could be copying anyone – even when things happen like Oasis saying, 'We are then next Beatles'. But I also think, Listen lads you can't say that. And don't say that, because it's probably the kiss of death!"

Going on to cover the Gallagher's legendary bravado, McCartney added: "In Oasis' cases, I think it was coming from them. In others it's the record label or management and that's never a good idea: The poor band! Now go and do better than The Beatles did. Not an easy task."

It was revealed earlier this week that Paul McCartney has admitted Yoko Ono's presence in the studio during The Beatles' recording sessions infuriated the Fab Four.

Source: www.nme.com

Noel Gallagher Says It Would Be Cruel If He Did Not Get A Knighthood Or A MBE

Noel Gallagher was asked by the NME asked with all the charity work he's doing is he hoping for a knighthood.

He said "Or maybe a MBE? It'd be cruel if I didn't get one really. Do you think the Queen reads the NME? I think she reads it online. Would I take it? I don't know. I won't get offered it. I can's see many ex-glue sniffers among the medals can you".

Beady Eye To Premiere New Single Next Month

Beady Eye will play the first song from their forthcoming second album on April 15, it has been confirmed.

A spokesperson for Liam Gallagher's band tells NME that the song will be played on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show on the Monday night after fans began speculating that the song would receive its premiere as soon as next week.

Beady Eye have recorded their new album with producer and TV On The Radio member Dave Sitek. Discussing the band's new album earlier this year Gallagher said: "I hate the word 'experimenting', but we are definitely experimenting. In five words, it's 'majestic', 'imperial', 'out there' and, er, what was the other one? Oh yeah, 'heavy'." A new track was played at London club night This Feeling earlier this month when Beady Eye guitarist Andy Bell was DJing.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Beady Eye will perform at this year's Summer Sonic Festival in Tokyo and Osaka. The festival is headlined by Muse and Metallica and takes place between August 10-11. Linkin Park, MIA, The Smashing Pumkins, Fall Out Boy, Two Door Cinema Club and The Weeknd will also perform across the two day event.

Beady Eye released their debut LP, 'Different Gear, Still Speeding', in February 2011. The album peaked at Number Three on the UK albums chart and spawned the Top 40 hit 'The Roller'.

Source: www.nme.com

Beady Eye's New Single To Be Played Next Week By Zane Lowe?

It's been reported that Zane Lowe will be playing the new Beady Eye single on his BBC Radio 1 show next week.

More details to follow.

Beady Eye Set For The Summer Sonic Festival

Beady Eye are playing at the Summer Sonic Festival, they will be performing on August 10th in Tokyo, Japan.

Thanks to Mari

Paul Weller On Joining Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn And Graham Coxon On Stage

Paul Weller spoke to the NME about joining Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn And Graham Coxon at the Teenage Cancer Trust concert at the Royal Albert Hall last week.

Weller said how special he finds the Albert Hall, revelling in the space and grandeur of the building. "It's a very special vibe, even though the acoustics aren't great for electronic music," he said, adding how much he'd enjoyed seeing this year's organiser Noel Gallagher join Saturday's headliners Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon on stage for 'Tender'.

"That was me playing drums on stage for the first time," he said. "Well, I say playing drums. I can't really, but I got away with it. It's a different perspective sitting at the back of the stage – too much perspective – but I could see the whole venue when Noel walked out to play with them. It was blown out of proportion, all that, but they've all grown up, that's how it goes, and it was a symbolic moment. Seeing all the faces in the crowd, it was very touching."

Noel Gallagher On Performing With Damon Albarn Graham Coxon And Paul Weller

Ex-Oasis man also confirms that he won't be curating Teenage Cancer Trust concerts in 2014.

Noel Gallagher has described his performance with Damon Albarn as like "John Lennon playing with Eric Clapton".

The pair performed 'Tender' together at the Teenage Cancer Trust gig run over the weekend at London's Royal Albert Hall with Graham Coxon and Paul Weller. You can watch the performance below. Speaking about the collaboration in this week's issue of NME, Gallagher said: "I think it's great for music fans. It's like when you hear about John Lennon playing with Eric Clapton or...well I don't know what the equivalent is. It won't change anybody's life but people could say they were there."

Before the performance, the ex-Oasis man had joked that he wanted to play 'Tender' with Albarn because it was "easy" to play on guitar. He added: "I suggested that we do 'Tender' for various reasons. It's a fucking great song. It's a piece of piss to play on guitar. It's got four chords in it. And more importantly the crowd loves it."

Gallagher, who curated the week long shows in Roger Daltrey's absence, also confirmed that The Who frontman will back to pick up the baton next year.

Source: www.nme.com

Male Models Wanted For Newly Formed Clothing Company Hunter & Nelson

Newly formed clothing company Hunter & Nelson are looking for males between the age of 18 and 25 to come on location with them and famous photographer and record sleeve designer - Brian Cannon (Oasis / Verve and more) and take part in a day long shoot for our website, advertising and press releases ready for launch in April.

Applicants must live in the UK and be able to travel to Wigan for the shoot.

All you have to do is email your age, some pictures of themselves, and your location to: info@hunterandnelson.com.

Hunter & Nelson is a new clothing label made up of two people that design, hand screenprint and sell t-shirts, sweats and hoodies (all limited to 100 of each design in each color). The brand also sells embroidered fitted polo shirts and other products that are made in the UK.

Hunter & Nelson t-shirts have a traditional British heritage look and feel due to the images that appear on them and the way in which they fit, with a nod toward British youth culture and unity.

All garments come inside a hand screened tote bag with a pin badge and are sent out in pizza boxes (also produced in the UK).

Other products coming online later in the year will include mens Harrington jackets, iPhone cases, branded silver Shotgun Cartridge pentants and chains, branded leather loop key chains that attach to belts, and other goods.

Liam Gallagher Mocks Noel For Blur Collaboration

Liam Gallagher has taken to Twitter to cast aspersions over brother Noel Gallagher appearing on stage with Blur's Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon at the weekend. The one-off performance took place on Saturday (March 23) at London's Royal Albert Hall, where the Noel Gallagher-curated Teenage Cancer Trust gigs have been taking place since last Tuesday.

In his tweet, posted today (March 25), Liam Gallagher says: "Don’t know what’s worse RKID sipping champagne with a war criminal or them backing vocals you’ve just done for BLUE!"

It is unclear quite what Gallagher means by "sipping champagne with a war criminal," but he could be referring to the long-standing animosity between Blur and Oasis dating back to the mid-'90s, or possibly, he could be playing on the fact that Gallagher and Albarn attended The Brits last month as guests of War Child.

Liam Gallagher is, at best, a sporadic Twitter user, recently posting about Justin Bieber ("Wow Yeah Justin Bieber Rules ! LG x") but mostly passing comment on his favourite topic: brother Noel and his "high flying smurfs".

Beady Eye are set to release their second album this year, and Liam Gallagher has told NME to expect the record Oasis should have made after '(What's The Story) Morning Glory?'.

He said: "I'm not saying it's better than 'Be Here Now' or it's going to be this or that - I love 'Be Here Now', I won't have a bad word said about it but when you're selling 20 million records, you've got people there going, 'Oh let's just chuck out that formula again'. So I'm a bit disappointed we didn't ever do it. But this fucking record: we've booted the door off the hinges and steamed right in there, into this other world."

Source: www.nme.com

Liam Gallagher's Latest Tweet...

Don’t know what’s worse RKID sipping champagne with a war criminal or them backing vocals you’ve just done for BLUE ! LG x

Follow Liam on Twitter by clicking here.

Ed Sheeran Explains Noel Gallagher Charity Gig Snub

Ed Sheeran has defended himself after Noel Gallagher revealed he has pulled out of a verbally-agreed charity performance.

The 'Lego House' performer agreed to play a headline set at this year's series of Teenage Cancer Trust shows, before realising that it fell on the same week as his sold-out tour in Australia.

"I actually told him I would do the gig whenever he wanted, but the week they were planned I was in Australia with gigs already booked and sold out," Sheeran tweeted.

"Had it been any other time I would have made it happen but I found this out after I'd said yes.

"I think it would be worse saying no instantly without knowing, to be honest, and I said any other time he wants to do a show and I'm not on tour, I will 100 per cent do it."

Gallagher - who curated this year's charity shows at the Royal Albert Hall - previously outed acts who had pulled out at the last minute.

"I'd talk to Ed Sheeran and Mumford & Sons... and I got let down a lot," he said. "Everybody says yes to your face.

"And then the agent will call and say, 'Ah, they're going to be in Australia at the time'. Really? Well, they never said that to me."

He added: "But if the people that blew me off but said they'll do it next year actually do, it might be the greatest event since Woodstock."

Gallagher performed with Blur's Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon for this year's events, which also saw performances from Kasabian, Labrinth and Rizzle Kicks.

Source: www.digitalspy.co.uk

Video Report: Noel Gallagher Performs With Members Of Blur For The Teenage Cancer Trust

Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher have put two decades of bitter Britpop rivalry behind them by performing together for the first time.

The Oasis and Blur frontmen appeared on stage at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

They were joined by Paul Weller and Graham Coxon for a rendition of the Blur track Tender.

Tim Muffett and Naga Munchetty report.

Click here to watch the video.

Noel Gallagher And Friends At The Albert Hall

The cessation of hostilities, when it came, was almost poignant – well, for those who remembered the mid-90s feud between Blur and Oasis, which gave the era's two biggest British bands license to insult each other every week in the press. On Saturday, Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher buried the hatchet in the name of the Teenage Cancer Trust charity, whose annual week of concerts Gallagher is curating.

They appeared together, along with the Blur guitarist Graham Coxon and Paul Weller (on drums, improbably), on Blur's Tender, separated only by a couple of microphone stands. If that didn't definitively prove hell had frozen over, a hearty backslap at the end did.

Even if their Britpop rivalry was always a joke to all except Liam Gallagher, who believed it was real, there was a genuine "ahhh" factor to this pop rapprochement. Middle-aged now – it was Albarn's 45th birthday – and with Britpop a sepia memory, it was clear the two men had more common ground than differences. "Noel? Noel?" Albarn beckoned. Gallagher duly appeared from the wings and they set about Blur's most pensive song, two veterans strumming and harmonising as cameraphones flashed.

In a musical sense, the shared moment was the only meeting point of a night that showed what different paths the pair have followed. As the night's main support act (the chore of opening was handed to the Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys, who sang frazzle-brained folk songs as the audience chattered) Albarn and Coxon played just three other songs, each of which reminded us that while some people still bang guitars, they have long since moved on. Their set was introduced by Gallagher, who said cryptically: "Sit down, open your mind". One wondered what he made of what followed.

After an ambling cover of Kevin Ayers' May I, Albarn and Coxon were joined by Gallagher's old mate Weller, who was ecstatically screamed at, and the beat poet Michael Horovitz. The 77-year-old recited his Ballade of the Nocturnal Commune poem as Coxon honked a saxophone and the others played keyboards. Then there was a freeform composition written specially for tonight. Horovitz baaed like a sheep and spat words, only some of them decipherable: "War machine and bombs, teenage trust, old age trust, fruit juice!"

Gallagher has always professed to despise this kind of art-freakery, and it would have been wonderful to see his face while it was going on. It took about 10 minutes for his band, Noel Gallagher's High-Flying Birds, to expunge the memory of Horovitz's mischief.

Gallagher authored some stirring anthems in the early years, when he was driven by the compulsion to hear his music sung back at him by 50,000 people at a time, but now he merely pootles. The nine songs played from the High-Flying Birds' self-titled album were of a piece: Tesco-rock with the odd splash of psychedelic and blues window-dressing. Supersonic and Don't Look Back in Anger, nearly 20 years old, are magnificent anyway, but sounded particularly so in the company of Record Machine and If I Had a Gun, which use the four-square rock blueprint of the old songs but omit the crucial swagger.

More pressingly, Gallagher-as-frontman is a work in progress, and tonight Liam was never missed more. Maybe it comes of being the sensible brother, but Noel is a man who gets his head down and gets on with it, intent on giving fans their £75 worth. It got the job done here, spurring the fans into making every song a terrace chant, but it made you wish he would reunite with his estranged sibling. But can hell freeze over a second time?

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Gallery: Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon And Paul Weller At The Teenage Cancer Trust

Click here for a number of pictures of Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon And Paul Weller playing Blur's 'Tender' at yesterdays Teenage Cancer Trust concert in London.

Limited Edition Pete McKee Gig Poster Signed By Noel Gallagher Available Today

Artist Pete McKee is once again working in association with Noel Gallagher to create a special, limited-edition poster to celebrate his gig for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall. Noel will headline a very special show on Saturday March 23 featuring performances from special guests including Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon.

The prints are limited to just 50 copies and are signed and numbered by both Noel and Pete. The prints will be available to buy exclusively from petemckee.com at 12pm on Sunday 24 March and limited to one per person.

Pete McKee says ‘It's always an honour to be asked by Noel to produce artwork for his shows and help raise much needed money and awareness for a fantastic charity. The Teenage Cancer Trust gigs at The Royal Albert Hall are now part of rock history and are always special events, so to be a part of that in some small way is a privilege.’

The prints are £120 each and limited to one per customer. All proceeds from the sales will go to Teenage Cancer Trust.

Video: Noel Gallagher At The Royal Albert Hall

Below are a number of videos from yesterdays Noel Gallagher's concert at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer trust.

Video: Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon And Paul Weller Play 'Tender'

The video below is of Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon And Paul Weller playing Blur's 'Tender' at yesterdays Teenage Cancer Trust concert in London.