Blur bassist Alex James has pointed out the “good manners” demonstrated by his band’s former rivals Oasis when they announced their long-awaited reunion tour.
James’s group, fronted by singer Damon Albarn, recently concluded their own reunion tour in April this year with two performances at Coachella festival. Albarn announced on the second night that it would probably be Blur’s final show.
Just months later in August, after years of rumours and speculation, Noel and Liam Gallagher confirmed that they would reunite onstage for the first time since their dramatic backstage bust-up at France’s Rock en Seine festival in 2009.
The Manchester-born brothers are set to perform to tens of thousands of fans at stadiums around the world next year, including a string of sold-out dates in the UK and Ireland.
“I’m happy for them,” James, 56, told The Observer. “Delighted. They’re great. I like them. You know, there are some people – mentioning no names – that when they walk into a room, you’re like, ‘Oh f***ing hell, he’s here. But when either of [the Gallagher brothers] walk into a room, it’s like: ‘Heyyy.’
“He’s an incredible singer, Liam, and he can’t help being a rock star,” he continued. “And it’s nice that they waited till we got our s*** out the way, you know? That’s very good manners.”
Noel, 57, recently shared his mum Peggy’s rather underwhelming reaction to the Oasis reunion, as he attended the unveiling of a new portrait of him at the National Portrait Gallery.
“My mum couldn’t give a s***,” he said, according to The Sun. “My mum never gave a s***, never. You know what Irish mums are like?
“When we told her we were getting back together, she said, ‘Sure, that will be nice.’ That was it.’”
Despite her apparent lack of enthusiasm, Noel said he and Liam would try to get her to one of their stadium shows.
“We’ll try and get her to Dublin,” he said, referring to Oasis’s gig at Croke Park.
The Oasis reunion will coincide with the 30th anniversary of their second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?.
Noel created a six-hour version of “Champagne Supernova” from the album to create an immersive experience at the National Portrait Gallery, where his portrait is on display.
The image of Gallagher will remain part of the gallery’s permanent collection once the exhibition ends on 2 March 2025.
Gallagher previously said he is “thrilled and honoured” as a “grumpy middle-aged man, who hates having his picture taken” to join the collection.
“Thanks and praise,” he added.
