Oasis Gear Up For Slane

Noel talks Celtic crowds and Coronation Street

Noel Gallagher was in fine form as he jetted in from the midst of Oasis‘ current sell-out tour for a press conference at Slane Castle to confirm the rumours regarding the band headlining the venue in 2009. The elder Gallagher sibling stated that the band were looking forward to coming back to play a headline show for their own fans in a setting they had only previously frequented in 1995 as support to R.E.M.

“It was the biggest [show] we’d done at that point in our career and it felt like quite natural”, recalled Noel. “I really got addicted to it that night. The sight of tens of thousands of people. I remember them all running down the hill. It was a magic event.”

Asked what it was about this and other Irish shows that were so magical, Noel mused that, “There’s just something about Celtic crowds and about places like Ireland and Scotland, you just get more… drunk! That’s it really.”

As to what fans can expect, he suggested, “About an hour and 50 minutes of five blokes standing around looking miserable… Oasis concerts are all about the crowd. It’s not really like U2 where they put on the greatest show on earth. I wouldn’t waste my time sitting in meetings with guys who design lighting rigs, y’know what I mean? I’m busy, Coronation Street is getting really good right now. So it’ll be business as usual. We’re not really interested in fireworks or giant inflatables on stage. Though we will have one giant inflatable, Liam, and he’ll be plugged in alright.”

Read more about Oasis special relationship with Ireland and Noel’s thoughts on that Toronto incident in the forthcoming AU.

Tickets limited to eight per person go on sale on Friday, 24 October, at 8am through Ticketmaster and Tel: (ROI) 0818 719 300 / (NI) 0870 243 4455

Read an extended review of Oasis’ new album here

Issue #62 - Pretty Hip

Featuring Snow Patrol, the Top 50 Irish Albums of the Decade, Edwyn Collins, The Japanese Popstars, Hudson Mohawke and more.