Former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher sat down with Radio X and talked about musicians’ stage presence and how they interact with their audiences. Noel argued that he doesn’t have that charm and gave examples of musicians who do have it:
“Some people are cut out for that kind of thing. Chris Martin, for example, can do that thing with the crowd. Bono can do that thing with the crowd. I can’t. I’m not interested in it.”
When he was told that Gallagher’s audience loves him on stage while he plays ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger,’ he pointed out the popularity of such songs surpasses his own:
“Yeah, well, that’s the song. I mean, that song’s bigger than me. That song will be around long after I’m gone. So those big songs like that and ‘Wonderwall…’ I don’t feel like I have to be larger than life. I mean, people are here to see me. They know who I am. They know what I’m like. There’s nothing better on this beach today than being me, and that’s it… And that’s what you pay for, and that’s what you get.”
He continued by talking about the difficulty of balancing audience satisfaction and personal satisfaction while preparing a setlist:
“It is difficult putting together a setlist because you kind of think, ‘Am I done with that song? How many more times am I gonna play it?’ You’re kind of obliged to at least give it a go. ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ – I don’t think I’d be allowed out of the venue if I didn’t play that. It’s kind of like my ‘Hey Jude.'”
It is known that Bono and Noel have a strong friendship. In a 2015 interview, Noel said regarding Bono and his drinking habits:
“But Bono, he is really fucking brilliant company. I’ve been with him, leaving a bar at 6 in the morning, and he’s on the bar singing opera. And he’s got a fucking gig the following night with 70,000 people. And I’m being escorted out like James Brown – fucking pissed.”
There is a mutual respect between Gallagher and Coldplay’s Chris Martin as well. In 2017, Noel’s brother Liam Gallagher sarcastically tweeted about Noel’s absence in the ‘One Love Manchester’ concert:
“Manchester I’d like to apologize for my brother’s absence last night; very disappointed, stay beautiful, stay safe. Noel’s out of the f—ing country; weren’t we all love, get on a f—ing plane, and play your tunes for the kids you sad f—.”
Chris Martin came to Gallagher’s aid and tweeted:
“Thank you, Noel Gallagher, for giving your blessing and encouragement to play ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ and ‘Live Forever’ on Sunday. Everyone knew in advance you couldn’t be there physically, so thank you for being there in spirit.”
Check here for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ UK Arena Tour 2023.’
