Brit Music Scene

Noel Gallagher Gives Verdict On Glastonbury 2009 Line-Up

Posted: 15 Jun 2009 04:09 PM PDT

Last year saw the famous and long-running Glastonbury Festival take a new direction when Jay-Z was asked to headline. Jay-Z is a blindingly good rapper and awesome live, but he was a controversial choice for an event that is more usually associated with rock and folk performers. Noel Gallagher of Oasis was the biggest (or at least most vocal and well-known) critic of the decision. So what does he think to this year’s line-up?

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That’s exactly the question BBC 6 Music asked of the guitarist, songwriter, and mainstay of Oasis. This was kind of a loaded question, not only due to the reaction Gallagher’s comments received last year but also because one of the headliners at Glastonbury 2009 are Blur. I’m sure no one, least of all Noel, has forgotten that the newly-reformed Blur were, at the height of Britpop, Oasis’ arch enemies.

Thankfully, Noel has matured over the years. I know it’s hard to believe with some of the stuff he still comes out with but he has, now giving his opinion without resorting to mud flinging. At least most of the time.

“Blur are playing. That will be exciting for Blur fans. Particularly if you’re a Blur fan that’s come along since the however many years it is they’ve not been doing nothin’, and you’ve almost waited a lifetime to see them - it will be quite exciting I would have thought.”

“I like Bruce [Springsteen]. I don’t know, do I like Bruce? I don’t own any of his records. I like Crosby, Stills and Nash. I love Neil Young, he’s playing isn’t he somewhere and I love The Specials - I’ve just been to see The Specials.”

If I’d have had anything to do with that bill Franz Ferdinand wouldn’t have been on it. The Script are playing though. They’re brilliant, and The Wombats.”

Note Noel doesn’t express his excitement at seeing Blur play live, probably because he couldn’t give two hoots, but at least he now realizes there are many Blur fans out there who will be ecstatic to see the band perform on stage once again.

The rest of the line-up is very old school and I get the impression Gallagher at least has a grudging respect for Bruce Springsteen et al, even if he’s not a great fan and doesn’t own their back catalogs. I do, however, find it strange he hates Franz Ferdinand but loves The Script. The former are innovative and exciting while the latter are purveyors of cheesy pop. I know which I prefer.

[Photo Source: Newscom]

Post from: Brit Music Scene