Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher Reflect on Iconic Guitars

In a fascinating meeting of musical minds, Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher recently came together to explore the storied history of Marr’s legendary guitar collection. The former The Smiths guitarist is set to auction off 80 of his instruments, including pieces used during his time with The Smiths and collaborations with artists like Billie Eilish, at an upcoming Christie’s exhibition.

The two Manchester icons inspected a 1982 black Rickenbacker 330, a guitar central to the creation of classic tracks such as 'This Charming Man'. For Gallagher, the sight of these instruments brought back vivid memories of the early days of Oasis. He recounted a story from the recording sessions of their debut album, Definitely Maybe, where Marr had generously lent some of his guitars to the band.

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Gallagher recalled the surreal experience of seeing a guitar belonging to his hero sitting on the floor of the studio. "I remember looking at it on the floor, going, 'that cannot be the fucking Smiths' guitar'," he laughed. "There’s no fucking way he’s sent that down here to a load of geezers from fucking Longsight!"

The conversation also touched upon the influence Marr’s gear had on Gallagher’s own songwriting. The Oasis chief revealed that one of the guitars gifted to him by Marr was the direct inspiration for the track 'Slide Away'. Marr, who recently contributed to Gallagher’s 2023 solo album Council Skies, noted that he has developed a keen sense for what producers and songwriters need from him in the studio, allowing him to elevate their work with his signature style.

The upcoming auction, which includes a red Gibson ES-355TDSV expected to fetch between £100,000 and £150,000, serves as a celebration of Marr’s storied career. Marr has confirmed that 100 per cent of the hammer price will be donated to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.

As Marr prepares to release his fifth solo album, The Age Of Everything, on October 2, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the tools that helped shape the sound of British guitar music for generations.

Noel Gallagher Reflects on Reconciliation with Brother Liam

Noel Gallagher is reflecting on his relationship with his brother, Liam Gallagher, as the pair celebrate the release of their new documentary, Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger. The film, which chronicles the brothers’ 2024 reunion and their massive ‘Live ‘25’ tour, marks a significant chapter in the band’s history, offering fans an intimate look at their reconciliation.

The documentary, produced by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace, debuted at the Venice Film Festival. It captures the brothers’ first public appearance together since their 2009 split, signaling a new era for the iconic Britpop outfit. In a candid moment, Noel Gallagher admitted that his perspective on his brother has shifted dramatically, describing Liam as “delightful”—a sentiment he confessed he never expected to express.

“All the little things that used to annoy us about each other have gone away. We have come out of it now as equals,” Noel shared, according to reports. He noted that the process of reconciliation has been surprisingly natural, adding, “We get along now, we text like normal people. The music brought us together.”

The documentary has received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its emotional depth and its ability to reclaim the narrative surrounding the band. As the film prepares for a limited theatrical release starting September 9, followed by a streaming debut on Disney+ and Hulu, anticipation for the band’s future remains at an all-time high. With rumors of a 2027 tour and potential residencies, it appears that the Gallagher brothers are firmly focused on the future, united by the music that defined a generation.

Johnny Marr Confirms Noel Gallagher Is Writing Songs for Fun

Legendary guitarist and former Smiths member Johnny Marr has shared an update on his long-time collaborator Noel Gallagher, revealing that the Britpop icon is currently “writing songs for fun.” The comments, made during a recent interview with Absolute Radio, have naturally sparked fresh speculation regarding the potential for new Oasis material.

“Yeah, I see him all the time,” Marr noted. “[He’s the] same as always, brilliant. He’s writing songs for fun, recording songs, enjoying himself, sending me hilarious WhatsApp’s — usually about Manchester United and lots and lots of effects pedals. [That] is the way our relationship has gone for 30 odd years now.”

While Marr offered no specific details on the nature of the music, the update aligns with previous reports from earlier this year, including comments from Noel Gallagher himself regarding his time in the studio. Fans have been eager for any sign of a new project since the band’s high-profile reunion in 2024 and their subsequent ‘Live ‘25’ tour.

Pitbull Covers Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ at Record-Breaking BST Hyde Park Gig

Global music icon Pitbull delivered an unforgettable performance at his record-breaking BST Hyde Park gig this past Friday (July 10), surprising the massive London crowd with a heartfelt cover of the Oasis anthem ‘Wonderwall’. The performance served as a tribute to the England football team, whose recent success at the World Cup has seen the 1995 track become an unofficial soundtrack for players and fans alike.

A Night of Records and Tributes

The concert was already historic before the first note was played, as Pitbull and his audience successfully set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing bald caps. Addressing the crowd, the artist explained his choice of song: “Being here I thought, what was the best way to represent you all? And a good friend of mine said, I think you should do this record. So, let’s not just talk about it, let’s do it…”

The choice of ‘Wonderwall’ was particularly poignant given its resurgence in popularity during the current World Cup tournament. The song has been a staple of England’s post-match celebrations, with players frequently joining fans to belt out the chorus after victories against teams like Norway, Croatia, and Mexico.

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The cultural impact of the song has not gone unnoticed by its original creators. Noel Gallagher has publicly supported the track’s status as an unofficial anthem, noting that the song “belongs to the people.” Meanwhile, Liam Gallagher has expressed his willingness to perform the song live if England reaches the tournament final, stating, “We’ll see, I’m ready.”

A Star-Studded Celebration

Beyond the tribute, the BST Hyde Park show featured a special appearance by Kesha. The duo performed their hit collaboration ‘Timber’ for the first time in 13 years, marking a significant moment for fans. The collaboration follows recent news that Kesha has been officially re-credited on the track, resolving long-standing issues regarding her billing.

The event was the culmination of a viral movement initiated by BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James and content creator Jack Remmington, who championed the idea of a record-breaking bald cap gathering. As Pitbull continues his ‘Party After Dark’ tour, the energy from his London performance serves as a testament to his enduring ability to connect with audiences on a global scale.

Liam Gallagher Named Ambassador for Manchester Charity Brighter Sound

Liam Gallagher has been confirmed as the latest ambassador for the Manchester-based music charity Brighter Sound. To mark the partnership, the iconic frontman is offering fans a unique opportunity to win pairs of his sold-out Adidas Spezial LG Achille SPZL trainers.

The non-profit organisation, which celebrates its 25th anniversary, is dedicated to championing new talent by providing essential resources for young people, emerging artists, and future music professionals. Based in the heart of Manchester, Brighter Sound supports over 1,000 creatives annually through workshops, mentorship programs, and live events designed to break down barriers to entry within the music industry.

“I’m honoured to be an Ambassador for Brighter Sound and support the new generation of creatives launching their music projects,” Liam Gallagher said in a statement. “We need more help for the arts, especially for the working class.”

The collaboration includes a prize draw featuring 40 pairs of the Japanese exclusive dark brown trainers and 95 pairs of the standard light brown design. These sneakers, which were originally released during the massive ‘Oasis Live ‘25’ tour, have been unavailable since selling out instantly last summer. Fans can enter the draw via the fundraising platform Zeffy, with all proceeds going directly to support the charity’s ongoing initiatives.

“It’s a real honour to be working with Liam and his team on this special prize draw, and to welcome him as an ambassador for Brighter Sound. Manchester is an incredible place for music – and Liam and Oasis are a huge part of that story,” said Kate Lowes, Director at Brighter Sound.

This partnership is described as the first stage of a wider collaboration between the singer and the charity, with further details expected later this year. The initiative follows Gallagher’s previous community efforts in Manchester, including his role as a surprise voice on the city’s Metrolink transport network to support the Beyond the Music festival.

The draw for the trainers is open until 11pm on Monday, July 13. For more information on how to enter and support the next generation of musical talent, visit the official Brighter Sound fundraising page.