Noel Gallagher has clarified plans to mark 30 years since the release of Oasis’ debut album, ‘Definitely Maybe’, next year.
The 1994 LP launched the group to the top of the UK charts and delivered the Top 10 hits, Live Forever and Cigarettes & Alcohol.
Ahead of its latest milestone, Noel has confirmed plans to reissue the album with a host of previously-lost songs dating back to the original sessions, along with acoustic versions of tracks from the LP.
He told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera: “In the Sony archives we’ve found tapes dating to those sessions.”
“We thought they were lost, but they were mislabelled,” he added. “They are wonderful versions of those songs, some acoustic versions.”
However, he insisted that fans won’t be hearing live versions of the new tracks anytime soon, adding: “There won’t be a tour. We won’t come back to play them together.”
Oasis – starring Noel and brother Liam – have been rumoured to reunite for years, with both siblings hinting at a possible comeback at various points. They released their last album together, ‘Dig Out Your Soul’, in 2008.
Before celebrating three decades of Oasis, Noel will release his new High Flying Birds album, ‘Council Skies’, this summer, featuring the singles Pretty Boy, Easy Now and Dead To The World.
Speaking about his new album, Noel says: “It’s going back to the beginning. Daydreaming, looking up at the sky and wondering about what life could be… that’s as true to me now as it was in the early nineties. When I was growing up in poverty and unemployment, music took me out of that.
“’Top of the Pops’ on TV transformed your Thursday night into this fantasy world, and that’s what I think music should be. I want my music to be elevating and transforming in some way.”
Crafted at Noel’s own Lone Star Sound Recording Studios in London with strings recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, the album is produced by the musician with long-time collaborator Paul ‘Strangeboy’ Stacey.
In support of the LP, the group will return to the stage for a run of 2023 headline dates across the UK, with an opening night on August 30 at Hull’s Bonus Arena, before taking in cities including London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Glasgow.
The trek finishes at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on December 21.
‘Council Skies’ is out June 2 via Sour Mash and available to pre-order now.
Buy ‘Council Skies’ on CD.
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Buy ‘Council Skies’ on Cassette.
