Noel Gallagher has opened up about the “great” experience of being back on tour with his brother Liam, saying he had forgotten “how funny” he is.
Oasis recently wrapped up the opening UK and Ireland leg of their massive comeback tour with a third show in Dublin’s Croke Park on Sunday (August 17), and they will now head across the Atlantic for a total of nine dates in the US, Canada and Mexico.
They are the first shows that the Gallagher brothers have played together since their acrimonious split 16 years ago, and in a new interview, Noel has spoken about enjoying the tour so far.
Speaking on the phone to Talksport, he reflected on the image of him embracing his brother at the end of the first show.
“It’s great just to be back with Bonehead and Liam, and just be doing it again. I guess when it’s all set and done, I’ll sit and reflect on it, but it’s great being back in a band with Liam. I’d forgotten how funny he was.”
When asked by presenter Andy Goldstein about the strength of Liam’s vocals at the shows, Noel quipped: “It’s AI.”
“Liam’s smashing it, I’m proud of him,” he added. “Having been fronting a band for 16 years, I know how hard that is. I couldn’t do the stadium thing like he does it, it’s not in my nature, but I’ve got to say, good for you, mate. It’s been amazing.”
He was also asked if he was “stunned” by the positive reception to the shows, Noel answered: “Yeah, completely blown away. Everyone is. It’s difficult to put it into words actually.”
“Every night is the crowd’s first night, do you know what I mean? So every night’s got that same energy to it. But it’s been truly amazing. I’m not usually short for words, but I can’t really articulate it.”
He went on to talk about the moment before taking to the stage for the first time in Cardiff last month. “For me personally, I grossly underestimated what I was getting into. After about five minutes, I was like, alright, can I just go back to the dressing room and start this again?”
“I’ve done stadiums before and all that, but I don’t mind telling you, my legs turned to jelly after about half-way through the second song. It’s been an amazing thing, it really is an amazing thing.”
Noel also mentioned that he is particularly looking forward to playing the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, the home of football club River Plate. “The Argentinians are without doubt in the top five places for us to play in the world,” he said.
After their split in 2009, Liam and Noel remained on bad terms for many years and consistently rebuffed any suggestion that they would reunite on stage. Rumours picked up last year that the prospects had changed, however, and the comeback was officially announced in August 2024.
Their mother Peggy was in attendance at one of the Dublin shows last week, with the brothers dedicating ‘Stand By Me’ to her.
NME gave Oasis’ first concert at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium a glowing five-star review, writing: “After a ‘90s heyday and an often maligned post-millennium era, this is Oasis redesigned for the 21st Century.”
“Playing before a pop-art-meets-psychedelia visual spectacular that never distracts but will look sick on a phone, they seem the quintessential stadium band playing the greatest hits of greatest hits,” it added.
