Noel Gallagher has been “writing songs for fun”, his friend Johnny Marr has revealed.
The 59-year-old singer-and-guitarist took a break from his solo project, High Flying Birds – whose last album was 2023’s Council Skies – to focus on Oasis’ 2025 reunion tour and while his pal confirmed he has been recording new music, it is unclear whether or not it is for the Wonderwall band.
Asked if he has seen Noel lately, Johnny told Absolute Radio: “Yeah, I see him all the time. 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.”
Back in February, Noel confirmed he was back in the recording studio and joked he needed to put out a new song because he had been “shamed” by the backlash that followed the announcement he’d receive the Songwriter of the Year accolade at the BRIT Awards, despite not having put out any music over the last year.
He told talkSPORT: “I’m in the studio now, but I better put something out. I’ve been shamed.
“If I’m being honest right, I just think they were desperate to get somebody from Oasis up there because it’s from Manchester… that’s what I think.
“Our kid [Liam] was like, ‘I’m not going’. I was like, ‘Well I’ll have to go then, I suppose’.
“But no, a call came through and I was like ‘What? How can that be?’ But as it’s all based on record sales, we did sell the most records. So you know, like I say, if anybody’s got a problem with it, I’ll be there. I’ll be on the red carpet.
“I haven’t written a song for two years. I’m not sure how I’ve got away with that one, but I’ll take it.
“I mean, we sold a million records last year. Didn’t even get off the couch, and I’m not sure there’s a songwriter that can match that.”
Meanwhile, amid speculation Oasis will tour next year, Noel’s brother Liam urged him to make an official announcement.
He posted on X this week: “Ffs RKID announce the tour we’re all losing our minds.(sic)”
After their sold-out Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour last year, their first in 16 years, rumours have been rife and Liam has been hinting at playing more shows.
Promoters behind the run were recently granted a licence to host gigs at Knebworth.
According to BBC News, North Hertfordshire Council approved the application from SJM Concerts with immediate effect.
SJM is allowed to host shows for 125,000 people and the events can go on until the early hours.
It has yet to be confirmed what event or artist the licence is for but rumours suggest Oasis are eyeing a return to Knebworth – the site of their two huge concerts in 1996 – for a record-breaking six shows.
There’s also reports of a 12-night residency in their home city of Manchester at the Etihad Stadium.
A source previously told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: “Oasis’ schedule is booked. It’s 12 nights at the Etihad over six weeks starting in June.
“They will then play Knebworth six times over a three-week period in September. Dates could be added but for now that’s the master plan.”