Noel Gallagher news

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds' album Council Skies is scheduled for June 2 through Sour Mash Records and available to pre-order now. The album will be available on CD, LP, HD Digital, 3LP and 2CD Deluxe limited-edition formats featuring remixes by The Cure’s Robert Smith, and Pet Shop Boys.

The band has also released the new single and music video "Easy Now." The video stars Milly Alcock, who recently starred as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO's Golden Globe winning House of the Dragon. “Easy Now” was directed by multiple UK Music Video Awards winner, Colin Solal Cardo. Watch here.

Gallagher's fourth solo studio album was recorded at his own Lone Star Sound Recording Studios in London, with the album’s orchestrated strings recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Produced by Noel with long-time collaborator Paul Stacey, the album also features performances from Johnny Marr on three tracks, including recently released single “Pretty Boy.” Council Skies takes its title from a book by revered northern illustrator and friend of Noel, artist Pete McKee. 

Speaking of the 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 ‘90s. When I was growing up in poverty and unemployment, music took me out of that,” he says. “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.”

The artwork, shot by renowned Manchester photographer Kevin Cummins, sees Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ live equipment setup placed on the original centre spot of what was Maine Road Football Stadium, with this year marking 100 years since the ground was opened as the former home of Noel’s beloved Manchester City FC.

Throughout the accompanying album artwork, Cummins captures locations poignant to Noel’s formative years - culminating with a striking image of Manchester’s Piccadilly train station, marking the moment Noel left his home city for London. This visual representation perfectly encapsulates the themes, journey and emotional heart of Council Skies.

June 2021 saw the release of Back The Way We Came: Vol 1 (2011-2021) – a Best Of album marking a decade of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. This Gold certified album was the bands’ 4th consecutive UK Number 1 and the 12th UK Number 1 album across Noel’s career.

Last summer Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds headlined a host of outdoor live shows culminating in a career-spanning performance at Glastonbury's Pyramid stage to one of the weekend’s biggest crowds. UK live dates for this summer have recently been announced – details below - with more headline shows to follow before the end of the year.

Track list:

I'm Not Giving Up Tonight
Pretty Boy
Dead To The World
Open The Door, See What You Find
Trying To Find A World That's Been And Gone
Easy Now
Council Skies
There She Blows!
Love Is A Rich Man
Think Of A Number
Bonus Track – We’re Gonna Get There In The End

Deluxe Album Track list:

Disc 1:

I'm Not Giving Up Tonight
Pretty Boy
Dead To The World
Open The Door, See What You Find
Trying To Find A World That's Been And Gone
Easy Now
Council Skies
There She Blows!
Love Is A Rich Man
Think Of A Number

Disc 2:

Don’t Stop…
We’re Gonna Get There In The End
Mind Games
Pretty Boy (Instrumental)
Dead To The World (Instrumental)
Council Skies (Instrumental)
Think Of A Number (Instrumental)
I’m Not Giving Up Tonight (David Holmes Remix)
Think Of A Number (Pet Shop Boys Magic Eye 12” Remix)
Pretty Boy (Robert Smith Remix)
Council Skies (The Reflex Revision)
Flying On The Ground (Radio 2 Session, 08.09.21)
You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere (Radio 2 Session, 08.09.21)
Live Forever (Radio 2 Session, 08.09.21)

2023 UK Headline Shows:

21 July, Buckinghamshire, PennFest

28 July, London, Crystal Palace Bowl
05 August, Saffron Waldon, Essex, Audley End
19 August, Monmouthshire, Caldicot Castle
20 August, Sedgefield, Country Durham, Hardwick Festival
26 August, Manchester, Wythenshawe Park

Tickets available now here