Latest from Irish Post
Irish Post
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Two brothers, one tour, and zero chill
WHERE do you want to start? Last August, Oasis fans everywhere thrilled to the news that Noel and Liam Gallagher had kissed and made up. 'The guns have fallen silent' said Liam on X, breaking the long-awaited news that they were putting the band back together for a stadium tour. Since then practically every week has brought fresh updates, rumours and quirky stories, some of which may even be true. ShowBiz has been assiduously squirrelling them away, and can now answer 20 of the most burning issues surrounding the tour. 1 Why are they even doing it? It's unlikely to have been prompted by a sudden desire for each other's company. The main motivation is probably financial. The success of Taylor Swift's Eras tour has undoubtedly rung up dollar signs like a Vegas slot machine in Noel's eyes, especially now that his coffers have been severely denuded by a recent £20m pay out (plus £8m mansion) to ex-wife Sara MacDonald. Or maybe (I said maybe) he's simply decided that he wants something a little more dignified for the Oasis legacy than 15 years of social media handbags with RKid. 2 So it's all quiet on the Bolton front? 'It's all done peace has prevailed he's the man I can't wait to be on stage with him blowing him kisses in between each song', ran Liam's characteristic stream-of-consciousness post on X. But just in case the unthinkable happens and the brothers start getting one each other's nerves once again, a 'military style operation' will be put in place to keep them apart as much as possible. We're talking separate dressing rooms, separate transport and separate VIP backstage areas. In short, according to 'a source' in The Mirror, ''Noel and Liam are reuniting, but don't for one minute think that this is a tour about brotherly love and going out night after night and being together 24/7. They will effectively be separate entities that come together for necessary promotional work and the gigs. Other than that, they will be apart for much of this reunion.' 3 Sounds good. So who are the support acts? For the UK and Ireland tour it's Richard Ashcroft and Cast. Some might say (they have) that they should have used the opportunity to showcase newer acts, such as Fontaines D.C. Liam's reply? 'To all the folk who are crying about us not showing love to the young bands and not letting them support there's LEVELS to this game and I'm afraid 99 p cent of ya are way off.' Members pf Fontaines D.C. responded by saying they 'couldn't really give a shit', to which Liam commented 'Fuck them little spunkbubbles I've seen better dressed ROADIES.' So, no Fontaines, then. 4 Just how big is the tour? Though initial press releases mentioned just two concerts in London, Edinburgh and Dublin, and four in Manchester, the tour has now been extended to 41 dates taking in North America, Australia, South America and Asia. 5 What was the Great Oasis Ticket Scandal about? Two words: dynamic pricing. When booking lines opened for the gigs on 31 August, 10 million fans logged on – the biggest concert launch ever witnessed in the UK As people waited in the queue, the prices steadily rose, meaning that by the time they landed on the payment page their only option was to pay £300 per ticket. Following a huge backlash, dynamic pricing was scrapped for the second round of sales, meaning fans could bag tickets for a friendlier starting price of £74.25. 6 We expect Liam was hugely sympathetic to the fans' plight, though You think? Responding to complaints on X, the mouthier Gallagher jeered 'Oasis are back your welcome,' before describing Oasis fans as the 'rudest in the world', telling them to 'shut up', and that he's 'sick of this s***' "Some days I just think to myself why do I even bother", he added. Liam also taunted fans with claims he has 'loads' of spare tickets, but 'there [sic] really expensive 100 pounds kneeling only'. He was clearly having a ball. When asked what their mum thought of the reunion, he said, "She's gutted she couldn't get a ticket'. When another fan wrote, "Not to be rude but if I'm not able to get tickets I hope the concerts get cancelled," he replied, "That's exactly what Peg said unbelievable attitude." 7 So what's likely to be the real cost to fans? Research by Wonderwallets, part of the Barclays Consumer Spend report, estimates £1.06bn will be spent by the 1.4 million fans attending the 17 UK tour dates – more than £766 a person. That includes tickets, accommodation, £75 on food and drink, £60 on merchandise plus travel and new outfits – presumably there are a lot of dad bods out there who have outgrown their '90s Harringtons. 8 How much money are the boys likely to make? Oasis are set to earn an estimates £50 million per show from ticket sales, merchandise, and other revenue streams. 9 Oh yeah, the merch – we're talking bucket hats and parkas, yeah? Oh, that's just the thin end of the wedge. Noel and Liam are said to have filed paperwork to secure trademarks which will allow them to flog everything from branded clothes and stationery to dental floss, moisturiser, fly swatters, ironing board covers and even Christmas wreaths. Think Middle-Lidl meets Britpop. 10 Speaking of Lidl… Last October the launch of Liam's new fashion collection didn't quite go to plan, with fans joking that the red, blue and yellow colourways made it look like he was wearing a 'Lidl jacket'. Lidl immediately got in on the act by taking out a billboard ad for their 24p 'jacket' potatoes on Oldham Road in Manchester right next to a mural of Liam wearing the £400 Berghaus coat. 11 Yet more Lidl The supermarket chain had also previously unveiled a blue plaque in Liam's honour at one of its Manchester stores after the star 'almost played' there after problems at the nearby Co-op Live arena. Asked by a fan at the time what he would do if his shows were affected, Liam responded: "Gig in Lidl." Lidl responded "We're gonna roll with it." That Manc bants, huh? 12 Why haven't we read any joint official interviews from the brothers about the tout? Good question. Via his favourite means of communication, X, Liam wrote 'We don't want to do interviews coz we're scared of the media asking us intrusive questions and trying to pick holes in our relationship.' It's also, he added later, because he 'can't be arsed'. 13 Let's hope they don't palm us off with new material and neglect the classics Scant risk of that. Although rumours have been flying about a new album, fuelled by teasing comments by Liam on X, there's been no sign of any new music emerging. So expect a night of all the greatest hits – just like watching an Oasis tribute band, then, but a bit better. 14 Apropos, the tribute bands must be having a field day Indeed. You can exclusively hire Definitely Oasis, Noasis, Oasish, and The Liam and Noel Experience, The Madchester Experience, Fakermaker, and Standing On The Shoulder Of Oasis for between £850-£2000 – the amount that a small group of unlucky punters would have shelled out for a group booking for Oasis gigs during dynamic pricing. 15 Oasis v Blur Of course, to give the tour that authentic '90s vibe, Oasis's arch-nemesis Blur should really launch their own comeback gigs on the exact same dates as Oasis. The next best thing comes in the form of a new comedy play by novelist and former A&R man John Niven, which follows the rivalry between the two bands which dominated the Britpop era. The action takes place in the summer of 1995 when Blur's Country House raced Oasis's Roll with It to the top of the singles charts; Blur went on to win that battle, but the band's Alex James graciously later admitted that Oasis won the war. The Battle – billed as 'based (mostly) on real events' – is heading out on a UK tour in 2026, prior to a run in the West End. Of course, age mellows the spikiest among us and the two bands have since buried the hatchet and Noel has even collaborated with Damon Albarn. In an interview last year, Noel ruminated on what his younger self would think of that. 'It would depend entirely on what side of the bed I got out of on that day', he said. 'If you caught me on a good day I'd be like, yeah, I could see that happening…On a bad day, I'd fucking knife myself in the bollocks.' 16 What about Robbie Williams? What about him? He and the Gallagher boys were mates once, then they fell out, but if there's any residual animosity these days they're mostly being too gown-up to voice it. Indeed, Robbie, who is also on tour this year, has been quick to acknowledge that the reunion is a significant cultural moment. 'The soap opera alone will either be exciting and or ghoulish to watch. As for the shows? They're gonna be incredible, off-the-scale special… a healing moment for our country. 'Liam Gallagher reading his phone on the toilet would be more charismatic and intriguing than 99.9% of the world's population at their most enigmatic. All he has to do is stand there and sing for the audience to be guaranteed their money's worth,' he said, cheekily adding and 'Noel will be there too.' Did he plan for his tour to compete with Oasis? 'No, I didn't', he said on Instagram. 'When Oasis get back together, there is no competing, really. So no, it's not a competition, even though it bloody is.' 17 The Manchester tourist board must be mad for it You bet. The city is said to expect a £100m boost from the five Heaton Park gigs, with 90 per cent of the city's hotel rooms already booked up - and at premium rates, too. On 11 July, for example, a poky windowless room at The Britannia, which normally goes for £39, will set you back £234. Airbnb owners can presumably charge whatever they like. Local hospitality is also in for a massive boost. Savvy brothers Paul and Mark Gallagher – no relation – have already opened a massive second branch of their Oasis-themed bar Definitely Maybe – 'a shriiiiiine of all things Oasis' – on the old site of Black Dog Ballroom in the Northern Quarter. 18 It's also a boon for the counter-culture Some far-sighted Manc fans have apparently taken the precaution of stashing drugs in the bushes of Heaton Park. Drug and alcohol rehab facility Providence Project told The Sun that they 'would warn organisers to be vigilant". 19 Any chance of a surprise Glastonbury appearance? None. Not only has Liam confirmed Oasis won't appear but he's trashed everyone who does. 'NO full of drips', is his expressed view of Worthy Farm. So that's that. Unless of course it's a really fiendish double bluff. 20 Care to read more? Two new books have been released about Noel and Liam; more will surely follow. You can get stuck in to the succinctly named Gallagher by PJ Harrison, which focuses on the lives and relationships of the bros, or Live Forever by John Robb, which is more concerned with their musical journey. But these are just the latest ones; there's obviously a huge backlist of biographies, behind-the-scenes reveals and books focusing on specific eras or albums, including Brothers by Noel and Liam's lesser known sibling Paul. Though to be honest there's nothing in any of them that you can't find on the net.
Irish Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Ireland is now officially one of the most expensive countries in the EU
IRELAND is the second most costly country in the EU for everyday goods and services, according to new figures from Eurostat. Prices are nearly 40% above the EU average, up from 28% in 2015, with only Denmark beating out Ireland to the top spot. Ireland is the most expensive in the EU for tobacco and alcohol – with prices more than double the average - driven by high taxes and minimum unit pricing. Alcohol overall is the second most expensive in the bloc, only behind Finland. Food and drinks cost nearly 15% more than the EU average, making Ireland the third most expensive, after Denmark and Luxembourg. However, this marks an improvement from 2020, when prices were 20% above the average. Hotel and restaurant prices are also high, ranking second in the EU at nearly 30% above the average. Communication costs are almost 40% higher, while electricity and gas are nearly 20% above the norm, placing Ireland third in energy costs. Although in contrast, clothing prices are 1% below the EU average and cheaper than many Baltic countries. The data also included non-EU nations like Iceland and Norway, which typically report even higher costs. Daragh Cassidy from the website Bonkers said the data confirms what many already know: Ireland is expensive. Businesses face high insurance and energy costs, which get passed on to consumers. Cassidy added that while Ireland is unlikely to ever be a cheap country, high costs often come with a high standard of living - as seen in places like Scandinavia. He suggested lowering the 23% VAT rate to help ease the burden, which remains one of the highest in the world. See More: Bonkers, Cost Of Living, Daragh Cassidy, EU, Eurostat
Irish Post
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Frankie Gavin leads line-up at London Irish Hooley
IRISH Music and Dance London (IMDL) will be holding their annual Irish Hooley at Bloomsbury Theatre, London — the organisation's annual profile and fundraiser — on Thursday, June 26 from 7:30pm. Frankie Gavin & De Dannan, the headlining act, features Frankie on fiddle and flute, Dermot Byrne on button accordion, Ian Kinsella on guitar, Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz on vocals and cello, and Jack Talty on keys. Frankie Gavin performs at Wickham Festival 2023 Support comes from The Trad Gathering. Frankie Gavin's place in the pantheon of Irish musicians When people talk about the giants of Irish fiddle, they often start with John Sheahan, Frankie Gavin, and Kevin Burke — three very different musicians who each brought the instrument into new territory in the second half of the 20th century. Frankie Gavin will be demonstrating in London at the end of the month why he is such a revered figure in Irish traditional music. But it is not just his music which elevates him to superstardom. As The Irish Post 's Michael McDonagh puts it: 'Frankie Gavin is basically the Irish version of blues legend John Mayall insomuch as he has had so many musical reincarnations and versions of his bands. Mayall's Bluesbreakers acted as an incubator for talent — Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce (both later of Cream), Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie (the three of whom would form Fleetwood Mac), Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones) and many more. De Dannan, to some extent, performed that service for Irish music. Each new line-up always introduced exceptional new players and singers who went on to forge their own careers: Dolores Keane, Maura O'Connell, Mary Black, Eleanor Shanley, Tommy Fleming, Martin O'Connor, Jackie Daly — all started their careers playing with one of the many De Dannan incarnations.' Sheahan, the classically trained Dubliner, added grace and precision to The Dubliners' raw, raucous sound, elevating the fiddle's role in the ballad tradition. Gavin, the East Galway firebrand, injected traditional music with a bolt of virtuosic energy and showmanship, blending trad with jazz, rock, and Baroque flourishes. Burke, in the Bothy Band, represented a different sort of mastery — smooth, elegant, and rhythmically assured. He helped carry the Sligo style across the Atlantic, becoming a pillar of the Irish-American trad revival. Each of the three left a different kind of fingerprint on the music. Sheahan gave the fiddle new legitimacy in the Irish folk mainstream because of his classical training; Gavin dazzled with his flair and innovation; and Burke brought refinement and internationalism. Between them, they demonstrated how adaptable — and how expressive — the Irish fiddle could be. If Gavin brought speed, brilliance, and showmanship to the Irish fiddle, Tommy Peoples brought something darker and more idiosyncratic — the Donegal style of phrasing and intensity that transformed how players thought about rhythm and ornamentation. Much of Donegal music exhibits flourishes from Scottish tradition, and Peoples played it to the full. Less of a household name than Gavin, his influence on fellow fiddlers is arguably greater. Martin Hayes has frequently cited Peoples as a foundational inspiration, while Gavin absorbed much of his fire and pulse — a revered document of personal and regional style. Máiréad Ní Mhaonaigh, whose importance lies not just in her musicianship — though her Donegal fiddle is among the most lyrical and finely tuned in the tradition — but in her leadership and visibility. As co-founder and frontwoman of Altan, Ní Mhaonaigh brought regional Donegal style to international concert halls, and did so while singing in Irish, preserving and popularising both the music and the language. Her playing is nimble and spirited, rooted in the north-west, but never insular. In a tradition still catching up on gender balance, she stands out as a pioneering female presence at the top level — a touchstone for many young players today. Together, these six — Sheahan, Gavin, Burke, Peoples, Hayes, and Ní Mhaonaigh — form a kind of modern pantheon of Irish fiddling: Gavin the firebrand, Hayes the philosopher, Sheahan the classicist, Peoples the storm, Burke the stylist, and Ní Mhaonaigh the bearer of language, place, and poise. Each reflects a different aspect of the tradition's evolution — and none could be said to truly eclipse the others. The Trad Gathering IMDL's London-wide youth project, The Trad Gathering, features 30 young traditional Irish musicians from different music schools and teachers, led by Karen Ryan and Pete Quinn. On June 26, the group will be playing music from the repertoire of prominent Irish music teacher, button accordion player, lilter, whistler and céilí drummer, Tommy Maguire (North Leitrim). The Trad Gathering was jointly commissioned in 2008 by the BBC Proms and Return to Camden Town Festival. In recent years, the group has been celebrating music from the repertoires of a number of prominent members of the London Irish music scene. IMDL will be promoting their online Grand Draw during this event — great prizes to be won, and all proceeds go toward hosting the annual Return to London Town Festival and other year-round IMDL events. Irish Hooley at Bloomsbury Theatre, London WC1, Thursday, June 26. Tickets: £22.50/£7 under 18s See More: Frankie Gavin, London Irish Hooley, The Trad Gathering
Irish Post
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Danny Boyle says it's an ‘absolute blast' to launch zombie sequel 28 Years Later in London
DIRECTOR Danny Boyle was in London last night for the global premiere of his long-awaited zombie sequel 28 Years Later. Manchester-born Boyle, whose parents hailed from Co. Galway, was in the capital to walk the red carpet in Leicester Square with some of the stars of the film, including Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. After a gap of more than 23 years, Boyle returned to direct the sequel to his 2002 hit 28 Days Later, which starred Cillian Murphy and was written by Alex Garland. Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, Danny Boyle and Aaron Taylor-Johnson attend the 28 Years Later world premiere at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square last night Garland also returned to write the sequel, and Murphy, whose character Jim's future was unclear at the end of the first film, came back on board as executive producer, although he does not appear in this film. But this is only the first instalment of a planned 28 Years Later trilogy. It boasts a stellar cast, which also includes Jack O'Connell and Alfie Williams, and Boyle was only too happy to share it with the viewing public for the first time in London last night. 'We've persuaded the Americans to spend a ton of money on a movie that is entirely British,' Boyle said ahead of a preview screening of the show, which opens in cinemas today. 'It's entirely set in Britain,' he explained, 'all over the place, it was meant to be just in Northumbria but some of you will recognise different bits of it in different places.' He added: 'It's brilliant to bring it here and open it in London. 'And like we are all crippled with anxiety about how it is going to do because we want to make a third film, it's meant to be part of a trilogy, but to do that it has to perform well and everything and things like that,' he admitted. 'But not withstanding any of that it's an absolute blast to be here premiering the film and not in New York and not in LA. 'So yeah it's very special for us.' Boyle went on to share an insight from his experience with the first film of the franchise. 'When we launched the first film 23 years ago they said whatever you do don't call it 28 days later,' he said. 'They said, there is a Sandra Bullock movie out at the moment called 28 Days, and it is a romantic comedy, and if people book and turn up and see this they will be deeply disturbed. 'And we said 'good'. And I hope you agree when you see this one as well.'
Irish Post
21 hours ago
- Irish Post
Burglars smash their way into church and steal ‘significant sum' of cash
POLICE are investigating after a church in Co. Down was burgled overnight. The incident happened at a church on the Belfast Road in Bangor. The burglary was discovered at around 9am this morning, the PSNI have confirmed. 'It was reported shortly before 9am, that entry had been gained to a church in the area overnight, where a door to the premises had been smashed through enabling access,' they said in a statement. 'Damage was also caused inside the church, with internal windows smashed, locks broken on cupboards and further items disturbed throughout the building,' they added. Police are working to establish what items were taken during the incident, but they have confirmed 'a significant sum of cash was stolen from a safety box'. 'Our enquiries are ongoing and officers are appealing to anyone who may have seen any individual(s) in the early hours of Wednesday morning, or anyone with information about this incident to call 101 and quote reference number 275 18/06/25,' they said. See More: Bangor, Burglary, Church, Co Down, PSNI
