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Irish Independent
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Neil McCormick: Why Oasis are the greatest rock band of the modern age
Well, I know exactly where I was. I was standing deep in the heart of that crowd, with my arm over the shoulder of my own brother, singing along at the top of my voice. As I wrote in The Telegraph at the time: 'Great earthshaking, groundbreaking, world-beating rock and roll occurs at a point where the expression of an artist and the needs of the audience coincide. Right now, this is where Oasis stand.' Later, when the band had been helicoptered away to continue fighting, cursing, slurping and snorting at their leisure, their audience were left to shuffle painfully towards the exits. For three hours, packed in bomber jackets and bucket hats, we barely moved. Yet all that time, we kept our spirits high by singing Don't Look Back in Anger, Wonderwall and Live Forever. And now we are about to do it all again. Britain has produced many gold-standard rock bands, and I would cite The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Queen and The Clash as the greatest of all time. To that pantheon we must add Oasis, the outstanding British rock band of the modern age. I know there will be scepticism about such a proclamation, although not among the 14 million people who desperately scrambled to buy tickets when the reunion was announced, or the two million set to attend 40 shows of a world tour that kicks off at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday. We all know what we are going to get, and it is nothing fancy. Oasis perform as if showmanship is beneath them. They stand still, battering out songs with thunderous drums, fuzzy guitars and barely a hint of musical nuance. Liam spits out lyrics as if he is ready to take on the whole world in a fight. Noel's elegantly rising and falling melodies do the rest, inspiring the biggest communal sing-alongs you could ever hope to hear. I've never been interested in pushing music forward. Life is so chaotic in Oasis anyway Oasis songs are absurdly catchy, bristling with earworm hooks and snappy lyrics performed with total commitment, putting melody at the heart of hard rock. It is like hearing a whole history of British rock in three-minute bursts, the power of Led Zeppelin playing Beatles songs with swagger of The Rolling Stones. 'I've never been interested in pushing music forward,' according to Noel. 'Life is so chaotic in Oasis anyway, I don't want to be experimenting as well. 'Let's try this in an urban cyber-sonic punk style.' No, give us that Marshall stack and that guitar, I know where I am, thank you very much.' When Oasis signed to Creation Records in 1993, Noel had one question for the label: 'We're going to be the biggest band in the world. Can you handle it?' And then, boom. In April, 1994, Supersonic was the perfect debut single for the Britpop era, riding in on an insolent riff, sneering vocals and euphoric surrealistic lyrics bound by the assertion that 'you can have it all'. It only reached number 31 but it was enough to put Oasis on Top Of The Pops and give us a glimpse of the future. A month later, Definitely Maybe became the fastest-selling debut album in UK pop history. ADVERTISEMENT Oasis scored 22 consecutive top 10 singles and eight No 1 albums between 1994 and 2008, with an estimated 75 million record sales. Their second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory was the biggest selling album in the world in 1995. The Gallaghers became the nation's favourite soap opera. They fought, they swore, they stormed off tours, cancelled gigs and fell out with each other and every original member of the band, and yet achieved something no pop group since The Beatles had done, infusing a whole country with their own self-belief. Britpop was a great time to be a music journalist. There was a blurring of lines between bands, fans and media. I had many memorable encounters with Oasis, one of the oddest being Liam playing peacemaker when a food fight broke out in a cafe between members of the Spice Girls and All Saints. The most surreal was driving across San Francisco's Golden Great Bridge in a van with U2 and Oasis after a stadium double bill, everyone singing U2's One. The way Oasis swept everything before them, there was an assumption that the sky was the limit. In 1997, third album Be Here Now was initially acclaimed a masterpiece, yet despite notching up six million sales came to be regarded as overworked and hollow. As members left and were replaced, each successive album was scrutinised through a lens of their explosive past and found mysteriously lacking. The critical consensus was that Oasis had lost their way, but it might simply be that the pop zeitgeist moved on, while Oasis continued surfing their own mighty wave. They released towering singles throughout the 2000s (Go Let it Out, The Hindu Times, Songbird, Lyla, The Importance of Being Idle, The Shock of the Lightning). With the public onside, Oasis continued to play packed stadiums to the bitter end. Liam's like a man with a fork in a world of soup And it was bitter, rooted in the antagonistically contrary personalities of the duelling brothers. For a while their sibling conflict had provided much public amusement, with tiffs conducted in a ludicrously comedic language. Noel characterised Liam as 'the angriest man you'll ever meet. He's like a man with a fork in a world of soup'. Liam branded Noel a 'working-class traitor' for the sin of eating tofu. Yet the animosity directed towards each other was counterbalanced by the unity with which they faced the outside world, performing anthems of togetherness such as crowd favourite Acquiesce, duetting: 'We need each other, we believe in one another.' Until they didn't. Oasis split minutes before a concert in Paris in August 2009, when another trivial argument escalated, guitars were smashed and Noel stormed out. His subsequent statement made it sound like he was suffering from PTSD, insisting: 'I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.' Sixteen years after breaking up, Oasis still have 25 million monthly listeners on Spotify, over twice the number of their erstwhile Britpop rivals Blur. Their eight No1 studio albums and three major compilations remain regular fixtures of the charts, collectively amassing 1,824 weeks in the top 75. Wonderwall has clocked up 2.4 billion streams on Spotify. According to music data analytics site Chartmetric, Oasis are still ranked in the top 20 British artists in the world, and in the top 10 in the UK itself. It is not unusual to hear spontaneous outbreaks of crowds singing Oasis songs at public gatherings. An impromptu rendition of Don't Look Back in Anger in St Ann's Square, Manchester, in July 2017 in response to the Manchester Arena bombing was a powerful demonstration of its enduring emotional significance. What's fascinating is how much Oasis matter to people too young to remember Britpop. Both Noel (now 58) and Liam (52) have carved out arena-level, chart-topping solo careers, but it is Liam who has really carried the Oasis torch. He played to 170,000 fans across two nights at Knebworth in 2022, a larger audience than Oasis drew in 1996. They certainly weren't all men of a certain age fishing out bucket hats for one last hurrah. Liam has a near legendary status amongst younger music lovers, who have been indoctrinated by their parents' record collections while connecting with his wackily amusing online personality and steadfast refusal to mature beyond the lairy spirit of rock'n'roll. Liam is widely celebrated as The Last Rock Star Standing, a man who delivers every note of every song in a tone that cuts right through the mix and burns to the soul. Ultimately, it is the songs that have kept Oasis in the ether. Noel may talk down his sophistication as a songwriter, but he has a rare gift: the magic that makes things flow. His songs are not always particularly clever, and are rarely radical or earth-shattering, but there are moments when you hear them and nothing else will do. And that moment has arrived once more.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
Remembering the King of Zydeco
Music fans celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, late last month. Chenier (June 25, 1925 -- December 12, 1987) was a pioneering musician from Opelousas, Southwest Louisiana who helped create zydeco music, a genre sung in French creole (his first language) that came out of the Creole traditions of the region, spliced with blues, R&B and Cajun music. Zydeco, which takes its name from an Anglicisation of the French word haricot (snap beans) -- most famously in Chenier's genre-defining hit, Zydeco Sont Pas Sales -- is the music of black communities in Louisiana and parts of Texas. It is based on the accordion, a rubboard (or frottoir) and drums, while Cajun is the music of French settlers. Last week, The Rolling Stones released a limited edition vinyl 7" single, with their version of Chenier's signature tune, Zydeco Sont Pas Sales on one side, and Chenier's original recording on the flip side. The single is part of Box set, King Of Louisiana Blues And Zydeco, which features his seminal recordings from 1954 to 1983. The box set is available in 4-CD or 6-LP vinyl set (a whopping 67 tracks) with an illustrated 160-page booklet that includes an essay by radio DJ Nick Spitzer and an interview with Chenier's son, and musician CJ Chenier. The tribute compilation released on the Smithsonian Folkways label which acquired Arhoolie, an independent folk and blues based label found by Chris Strachwitz (his 1965 recordings of a live session are included in the album's line-up and the version of Zydeco Sont Pas Sales on the 7" single is from this session), in 2016. For more information on this new release plus events being held to celebrate Chenier's life and career, head on over to The music video of The Rolling Stones cover is already online, so you can check out and hear Mick Jagger sing in French creole (he also adds R&B harmonica) on a track that doesn't attempt to recreate an authentic cover. Instead, it gives Chenier's song the Stones treatment -- a sort of rock and roll version. Reports say that Jagger has been a fan of the genre since he saw Chenier perform in the mid-1960s. Born into a musical family, he accompanied his father playing at 'Saturday night fish fry' dances. His father played the diatonic or button accordion (as did all zydeco players initially before migrating to the full chromatic accordion) and his uncle played fiddle. He absorbed blues from Muddy Waters and Lightin' Hopkins, as well as zydeco (and La-La, the genre before zydeco emerged) creole musicians like Sidney Babineaux. He began playing the accordion around 1947. The period just after WWII brought great musical change -- R&B was being created in New Orleans by pioneers like Professor Longhair and in Chicago (harmonica led), Kansas City and Los Angeles (saxophone led) and this fed into Chenier's music, so that in addition to the zydeco two-step songs he performed (when instruments like the accordion and harmonica arrived with German immigrants, the local Creole population was quick to adapt the instrument and some of the songs, as did Latin musicians as they developed Tex-Mex music (think of Flaco Jimenez). As a result, Chenier became a master of adapting his music to the audience he was performing for -- his R&B and soul-tinged songs maintained his popularity throughout his career. When I DJ an R&B and soul night I always spin a few two-steps and zydeco R&B tracks to perk up the dancefloor (zydeco is highly infectious). My current favourite is a 1976 Chenier track, Ti Na Na. Kudos to the Smithsonian for releasing a tribute to one of the USA's great musical pioneers. Long may it continue. Finally, World Beat salutes the incredible career of Argentine jazz pianist and movie soundtrack maestro Lalo Shifrin, who died last week aged 93. It was the late music collector Alfred Pawlin, of Visual Dhamma Gallery, who alerted me to the amazing career of this master composer. You all know the first few notes of the Mission Impossible TV theme -- and I'll bet you can summon it effortlessly from your musical memory. You might forget where you left your house keys but not the Mission Impossible tune! This is just a partial list of his movie scores: Cool Hand Luke, Bullitt, Enter The Dragon, The Eagle Has Landed, Amityville Horror, the Dirty Harry films (a collaboration with Clint Eastwood) and many more.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Rod Stewart joined by Ronnie Wood and Lulu in Glastonbury legends slot
British rock legend Rod Stewart performs on the Pyramid Stage on the final day of Glastonbury Festival on June 29. PHOTO: AFP GLASTONBURY, England – British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart was joined by fellow singers Ronnie Wood, Lulu and Mick Hucknall for his sun-drenched 'legends' slot at Glastonbury Festival on June 29 afternoon. Stewart entertained a huge crowd on the Pyramid Stage, shouting 'next' between songs to cram as many as possible into his allocated 90 minutes. The 80-year-old performed hits including Maggie May (1971), I Don't Want To Talk About It (1971) and Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? (1978). Hucknall, 65, duetted on If You Don't Know Me By Now (1989), the song his pop band Simply Red took to the top of the charts in 1989. Wood, 78, guitarist of English rock band The Rolling Stones and Stewart's bandmate in English rock band Faces in the 1970s, joined him for Stay With Me (1971). Lulu, 76, then came on stage for Hot Legs (1978). Mr Michael Eavis, who founded the festival that would become Glastonbury over five decades ago on his Somerset dairy farm, was pushed onto the stage in his wheelchair during the set to cheers. The 89-year-old waved to the crowd and was embraced by Stewart. Stewart ended the show with the whole crowd swaying along to his hit Sailing (1975). REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Powys County Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Family of Lord Henry Mount Charles say to ‘party on in his memory'
The loved ones of Slane Castle's Lord Henry Mount Charles will 'party on in his memory', his funeral service has been told. His funeral was held at St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Slane on Wednesday, following his death at the age of 74 last week after a long battle with cancer. During the service, Alex Conyngham said his father 'truly loved' Ireland despite initially struggling with his Anglo-Irish identity. Since 1981, Lord Henry, a rock fan, hosted a series of open-air concerts at his ancestral home of Slane Castle in Co Meath. The Slane estate, which acts as a natural amphitheatre due to its sloping lands, has played host to several top acts including The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, U2 and Madonna. The last Slane Festival was in June 2023, when Harry Styles performed for 80,000 fans. His son, the ninth Marquess Conyngham, recalled a joke by Frank Kelly that described his father being 'born with a silver dagger in his back' with his unconventional but privileged position at Slane Castle. He said his father was 'immensely lucky' to have had a 'colourful string of people' working on the estate for which he was grateful as they 'rolled through the good times and the occasional dark days' including when the castle was significantly damaged by a fire in 1991. Alex Conyngham said: 'Dad initially struggled with his Anglo-Irish identity, and described it as feeling like he had a leg either side of the Irish Sea with each side treating him as something of an outsider. 'It was when he went to Harvard and immersed himself in the study of Irish history that that fog of uncertainty lifted.' He said it was there that he realised that, as an Anglo-Irish aristocrat, he belonged to one of the 'many streams' that fed Ireland and could make positive contributions towards the country. 'Politically, he was a passionate constitutional Republican, and he truly loved this country, its culture and people, and he counted himself blessed to be an Irishman.' However, he noted that not everyone agreed with this perspective and the castle walls had previously been defaced with aggressive, negative graffiti. 'But this only emboldened dad to strive all the harder.' Alex Conyngham said his father had a great commitment towards peace, and it also came to him that he had to open up the castle gates while being 'driven by a conviction that music is a universal language that brings people together.' The first 'real breakthrough' came with a Thin Lizzy concert in 1981, with U2 and Hazel O'Connor also on the bill. At a time of financial difficulty, he said Slane Castle was 'saved by rock and roll'. Alex Conyngham also paid tribute to Lord Henry's interest in politics, saying his father 'loved to connect'. Although his political ambitions were unrealised, he found other ways to express his opinions – including the 'Lord Henry' column in the Irish Mirror. After saying Lord Henry was blessed to enjoy the love of two remarkable women – his first wife Eileen and his second wife Iona, he thanked his father for trusting him with his legacy. He added: 'Dad's thanks and mines to all of you in Slane and online who have gathered here to say 'slan' to Henry.' The service featured readings by Lord Simon Conyngham and Wolfe Conyngham, as well as U2 member Adam Clayton. Lord Henry's daughter Tamara read a tribute called 'lessons from my dad', which included: 'Never give up, ever.' She said: 'Dad was one of the most determined people that I know and he proved what can be achieved when you truly put your mind to it.' Also recalling an anecdote about being admonished for going to bed before the last of her guests, she added: 'He fought for so long because he didn't want to leave the party and all we can do now is party on in his memory.' The final tribute during the service came from Lord Henry's friend Nick Koumarianos. Mr Koumarianos said he knew Lord Henry as a 'hell of a cool dude', adding: 'He was tall, he was handsome, he was titled and, by the way, he knew it.' However, he said there was 'no silver spoon' for the aristocrat, saying the castle needed serious attention. Amid stories about Henry's business abilities and 'sense of mischief', he said his friend had 'put Ireland on the map' for generations of pop music fans around the world. in a remark met with widespread laughter, he added: 'He had real commercial skills although on one occasion I do remember him saying: 'always do your accounts in pencil – and don't press too hard'.' Mr Koumarianos said Lord Henry was a glutton for punishment who seemed to be refreshed by adversity, including clashing egos at concerts, the fire at the castle and its reconstruction, success of Slane whiskey and then his final illness. He said Lord Henry was 'always relished the challenge, adding that he was a 'mighty man' who bore his illness with 'remarkable courage'. Following the service, his coffin was carried out of the church while Bad by U2 played.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sabrina Carpenter's Shares Alternate Album Cover ‘Approved by God' for the Meltdown Crowd
Back in 2023, Sabrina Carpenter made some enemies in the church when she filmed what the Diocese of Brooklyn called the 'violent and sexually provocative' music video for 'Feather' at the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in New York. In 2024, she pissed some more people off with her non-violent, but definitely sexually provocative performances of 'Juno' and 'Bed Chem.' Then, earlier this month, she appeared on the cover of her upcoming album Man's Best Friend with her blonde hair gripped in a man's hands. As you can imagine, that didn't go over well with the meltdown crowd — so Carpenter released an outrage-proof alternate version. 'I signed some copies of Man's Best Friend for you guys,' Carpenter wrote on social media. 'Here is a new alternate cover approved by God. Available now on my website.' More from Rolling Stone Sabrina Carpenter Is Under Fire for a Spicy Album Cover. Tell It to Carly Simon Sabrina Carpenter Cold-Plunges Before Every Show and 16 Other Things That Didn't Make Our Cover Story Sabrina Carpenter's 'Manchild' Debuts at Number One on Hot 100 On the alternate cover, the musician channels Hollywood starlet candidly captured by paparazzi. She stands in a beaded gown, hands braced against the arm of a man who stares off into the distance. The cheeky nod is the first time the musician has addressed the backlash to the original cover, which was also captured by Bryce Anderson. But she has spoken more broadly to the increasingly common criticism she receives that attempts to make her responsible for other people's perception of her. 'It's always so funny to me when people complain,' Carpenter told Rolling Stone in her recent cover story. 'They're like, 'All she does is sing about this.' But those are the songs that you've made popular. Clearly you love sex. You're obsessed with it. It's in my show. There's so many more moments than the 'Juno' positions, but those are the ones you post every night and comment on. I can't control that. If you come to the show, you'll [also] hear the ballads, you'll hear the more introspective numbers. I find irony and humor in all of that, because it seems to be a recurring theme. I'm not upset about it, other than I feel mad pressure to be funny sometimes.' Recently, Carly Simon came to Carpenter's defense, telling Rolling Stone, 'She's not doing anything outrageous. It seems tame. There have been far flashier covers than hers. One of the most startling covers I've ever seen was [The Rolling Stones'] Sticky Fingers. That was out there in terms of sexual attitude. So I don't know why she's getting such flak.' Either way, Carpenter is keeping her eyes locked forward. Man's Best Friend will arrive on Aug. 29, just over a year after Short n' Sweet. 'If I really wanted to, I could have stretched out Short n' Sweet much, much longer,' she told Rolling Stone. 'But I'm at that point in my life where I'm like, 'Wait a second, there's no rules.' If I'm inspired to write and make something new, I would rather do that. Why would I wait three years just for the sake of waiting three years? It's all about what feels right. I'm learning to listen to that a lot more, instead of what is perceived as the right or wrong move.' Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
