The Oasis tours of old were riots of drink and drugs, mixed with blazing rows and the odd flying chair.
But when brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher hit the road for their Oasis Live ’25 reunion shows, it turns out the former hellraisers went full tourist.
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The Oasis reunion tour has seen Liam and Noel Gallagher swap chaos for sightseeingCredit: Getty
Wonderwalls . . . Gyeongbokgung Palace in SeoulCredit: Alamy
Dive forever . . . hot springs in AndesCredit: Getty
There were more attractions than distractions this time around.
Christian Madden, who played keyboard on the tour, has opened up about what life was really like travelling with the band — and admitted the only lines involved were found on sightseeing trails.
A succession of cultural outings laid on for the Oasis lads included a visit to Mexico’s Teotihuacan pyramids, and in South Korean capital Seoul a day at the Gyeongbokgung Palace — which they would have had to be very sober to pronounce.
They also took in an Argentine tango club, and in Brazil’s Sao Paulo a night of samba dancing.
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While in South America, they further enjoyed a spot of R&R, bathing in hot springs in the Andes Mountains.
Oh, how times have changed since their naughty Nineties.
Writing on his blog after the tour ended, Christian added of the luxury life on tour: “This was an endless parade of five-star hotels and world-class catering with backstage riders that never seemed to run out.
“I couldn’t bring myself to accept the offer of having someone to do my laundry.”
He also revealed that Oasis caught a number of live shows while on the road, including gigs by Neil Young, The Black Keys and Crowded House.
He added: “The way we were treated was different — particularly for me, fresh off a tour sleeping on a bus and eating sandwiches.”
Look back in time . . . Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, MexicoCredit: Alamy
Chris, who was also joined on the road by guitarists Bonehead and Gem Archer, bassist Andy Bell and drummer Joey Waronker, went on to speak about Noel and Liam’s chemistry.
He said: “Did they really get on? Yes, they did.
“It wasn’t over the top, like — it was people being genuinely warm after forgiving each other and starting to tentatively move forward.”
Let’s now hope they also move forward to announcing those 2026 shows I keep hearing so much about.
Ora blimey
Rita Ora kicks off the winter season with a show-stopping Top of the Mountain concert in AustriaCredit: Supplied
Rita Ora has kicked off my favourite time of year – at the Top of the Mountain concert in Austria.
She performed a string of hits, including new single All Natural, for the event, which opens the Ischgl ski resort winter season.
Rita is in good company, because the likes of Ellie Goulding, Sir Elton John, Diana Ross and Robbie Williams have all previously headlined the annual concert.
Hot Right Now singer Rita said afterwards: “Singing and dancing with you under the snow and stars was unreal.”
She will spend Christmas in New Zealand with her husband, Kiwi film director Taika Waititi, and his family – but she won’t be putting her feet up for too long, as she’s busy working on her upcoming fourth album.
I’m told the record, her first since 2023’s You and I, will be out next year.
Keep the champers on ice for now, Rita.
Where there’s a ville, Calv
Calvin Harris is following Ed Sheeran’s lead with plans for his own luxury estate, dubbed ‘Harrisville’Credit: Getty
While A-Team singer Ed, above, got busy in Suffolk, I’m told superstar Scottish DJ Calvin is developing in the CotswoldsCredit: Getty
First we had “Sheeranville”, and now it sounds like plans are being hatched for “Harrisville”.
Calvin Harris has been inspired by pal Ed Sheeran to create his very own luxury estate.
While A-Team singer Ed got busy in Suffolk, I’m told superstar Scottish DJ Calvin is developing in the Cotswolds.
I previously revealed how Calvin, below, had bought a home close to a leafy village in the Wolds, which he’s splashing thousands on doing up.
And now I hear he has also bought two properties next to that pad, which he intends to transform into dream homes for him and his missus, Radio 1 DJ Vick Hope.
A source said: “Calvin is building a super-mansion for him and Vick, but he’s also doing major work to two other places he’s bought.
“One property is next door and he’s got a team who are going to be completely renovating that. The other house is going to be demolished.
“Calvin has plans to turn that place into a four-bedroom house, complete with a music studio and a granny annex.”
It seems like Posh and Becks, who also have a home in the Cotswolds, may have given Calvin ideas for his own estate because, like them, his property will feature three interconnecting barns.
Our source said: “Calvin and Vick made it clear they want their properties to have little impact on the environment around them.
“So everything has been designed with biodiversity in mind, as well as making sure that they’re in keeping with the local area.
“When it’s all finished, the estate will be absolutely huge.
“Calvin and Vick will have the big main house as their base, with Calvin able to decamp to the second house over the road when he’s working.”
It cost Calvin and Vick a pretty penny to kickstart their plans, with all three houses costing them just short of £9million to buy in the first place.
Luckily Calvin is one of the richest DJs in the world. I’m sure he’s got it Under Control.
Demi shares the Lov
Demi Lovato posing on the front of the latest edition of Clash magCredit: Clash
Demi is back with her ninth studio albumCredit: Clash
Demi Lovato returned to her pop roots with her ninth studio album, It’s Not That Deep.
Posing on the front of the latest edition of Clash mag, the US singer opened up about her inspiration behind the record – and it’s a decent roll call.
She said: “There are so many pop divas out right now who are just doing so incredibly – Zara Larsson, Addison Rae, Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Kim Petras, Kesha, Doja Cat . . . not to mention the queen Lady Gaga.
“They’re inspiring me every step of the way.”
And she added: “I tend to make music that I’m listening to. I think that’s why I’ve switched genres so many times.”
Olivia Dean is on course to go back to No1 with her album The Art of Loving. The record previously hit top spot back in October.
And Jessie J is also primed to party on Friday as her new album is at No4 in the charts.
Al spinning festive discs
Alan Carr is on a career roll with a new BBC quiz show and a festive DJ set live on Virgin Radio UKCredit: Splash
After winning Celebrity Traitors, Alan Carr is on a career roll.
I revealed last month that he’d been given a massive new quiz show on the BBC, and now he’s going to be adding “DJ” to his CV – after landing a new show on Virgin Radio UK.
Alan is going to be broadcasting live from the Top of the Tower at the News UK building on December 20 for three hours from 10am. And he’s in good company, as Virgin Radio UK have got a massive line-up of stars to see us through the festive period.
John Power, Richard Ashcroft and Pete Doherty will take the reins on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day from 7pm, while East 17 legend Tony Mortimer is broadcasting on Christmas Day from 3-7pm.
It’s going to be bloody brilliant.
Charli XCX, Raye and Dave have been unveiled as headliners for Reading and Leeds Festival next year.
Florence + the Machine, Chase & Status and Fontaines DC will also play the event, which takes place over the Bank Holiday between August 27 and 30. Tickets go on sale on Thursday.
Elsewhere, Jimmy Eat World have announced three huge UK shows to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bleed American. The US group will perform the album in full on August 14 at The Piece Hall in Halifax, Cardiff Castle on August 15 and at Gunnersbury Park, West London, the following day.
Paddington’s a bear essential
Paddington takes the applause at the ‘Paddington: The Musical’ West End Opening Night at The Savoy TheatreCredit: Getty
Making a musical about a character as adored as Paddington was never going to be an easy task, but you don’t have to bear with this production – it’s an absolute sensation.
The furry Peruvian fave is brought to life by Arti Shah in an intricate costume, while James Hameed gives him his voice across an exquisite soundtrack, masterfully written by McFly’s Tom Fletcher.
The story follows Paddington meeting the Brown family after arriving in a far-from-welcoming London, although his life soon comes under threat from deliciously evil villain Millicent Clyde.
From Paddington causing complete chaos when he first joins the Brown family at home with the song Don’t Touch That, to the fantastically showy number Marmalade, it has so much heart.
And it’s brilliantly British, with everyone involved – from a nosy neighbour to a Cockney pigeon.
All the casting is perfect, every song adds a new layer of wonder and there are far more laughs than in any other show on the West End right now.
This production deserves to run and run for years to come.
★★★★★
