Noel Gallagher reckons that when people come to see him in concert it’s a treat for their ears, but not necessarily their eyes.
The outspoken former Oasis star might be about to go out on tour again, but he’s adamant there is not going to be a “show”.
“I often say when people tell me they’re coming to see me, that there’s nothing to look at,” he said. “There’s plenty to listen to, but there’s nothing to see.”
The 47-year-old revealed his forthcoming album, Chasing Yesterday, has been finished since July 14 last year, with its release delayed by the reissues of Oasis’ first two albums, Definitely Maybe, 20 years old last year, and its follow-up (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?
“I produced the album myself and finished it really quickly, so I just had to wait in the queue ’til those reissues were done and dusted. It won’t happen with the next album, which I’ve already started writing,” he said. “And I’ll tell you something else for nothing – producing albums is easy.
“I had a hangover most of the time while making my album, I was out three nights a week, and I still managed it. Those American idiots are charging us a fortune to produce records, but the whole thing is a sham. It’s easy. Producers are taking artists for mugs.”
He has just as much respect for visual designers, who are constantly updating him on how the lights at his forthcoming arena shows will look.
“I say, ‘Obviously you’re a creative genius, and I don’t mean to demean what you do, but I do know it’s costing me £250,000 and that I won’t see it as I’m facing the wrong way?’ Maybe I can get a mirror on the back wall of the venues, so I can see what’s happening too…”
Chasing Yesterday, the follow-up to 2011′s self-titled debut, sees Noel move further away from the euphoric, anthemic template he perfected during his time in Oasis.
“I said at the time of my first solo album, it was essentially the last Oasis record, even though it came out under my name. It felt like a full stop at the end of my time in that band,” he said.
“The Right Stuff on this new record is as far from Supersonic [Oasis' debut single] as you’re likely to get. “But it’s not a contrived move. Every time I’ve tried to make a contrived musical move, it’s ended up absolutely terrible, because I haven’t believed it.”
:: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ new album Chasing Yesterday is released on March 2. They begin a tour on March 3. For information, visit www.noelgallagher.com.
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