Noel Gallagher has delivered a trademark dose of dry humour, with the British Royal Family in his sights, during Oasis’ long-awaited reunion concert in Manchester on Sunday night.
Performing to a packed crowd of 80,000 at Heaton Park, the 58-year-old guitarist and co-vocalist didn’t miss the opportunity to throw shade, with younger brother Liam, 52, back by his side for the final night of the band’s sold-out residency.
The concert marked a monumental moment for fans, with the famously feuding brothers returning to the stage together in their hometown more than a decade after their explosive split in 2009.
Introducing their beloved hit Half the World Away, Noel told the crowd: “This one, for the Royal Family…”
The audience roared, but then came the punchline: “Not that f***ing Royal Family! The real Royle Family.”
He was referring to the cult 1990s British sitcom The Royle Family, which revolved around a telly-loving family from Manchester, far from the halls of Buckingham Palace.
Noel added: “I don’t hate the Queen or none of them; they were all born into it.”
Liam also brought the signature Gallagher wit, referencing a now-viral moment involving Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and two corporate execs caught mid-pash at a recent gig.
“This one’s for all you love birds… Don’t worry, we don’t have a camera, it’s not a Coldplay moment,” Liam quipped.
“It’s none of our business who you’re with- doesn’t matter who you’re tingling with, mingling with and f***ing with,” he added, before launching into Slide Away.
The Gallaghers, who were born and bred in the Longsight area of Manchester, have long been outspoken about the British monarchy.
In 2021, Noel made headlines after unloading on Prince Harry in an interview with The Sun, calling him a “f***ing ahole” and declaring his sympathies with Prince William.
“Prince William. I feel that f***ing lad’s pain,” he said at the time, before going on an expletive-filled rant.
“He’s got a f***ing younger brother shooting his f***ing mouth off with s*** that is just so unnecessary. I’d like to think I was always the William.”
Noel added that the Duke of Sussex is “coming across like a typical f***ing woke snowflake, f***ing a***hole.”
“Just don’t be f***ing dissing your family because there’s no need for it,” he said.
He also took aim at Harry’s American wife, Meghan Markle, adding: “This is what happens when you get involved with Americans. As simple as that.”
Speaking to The Matt Morgan Podcast a year prior, Gallagher called the royals “mad” and described their lives as “terrible”.
“They’re quite mad, the Royal Family. What a terrible f***ing s*** life they must lead,” he said.
The Oasis Live ’25 tour, which kicked off in Cardiff on July 4, is the band’s first since their 2009 split.
It spans the UK, Ireland, North and South America, Asia and Australia- with shows in Melbourne (October 31, November 1 and 4 at Marvel Stadium) and Sydney (November 7 and 8 at Accor Stadium).
The reunion tour was announced in August 2024, just days before the 30th anniversary of their legendary debut album, Definitely Maybe.