Noel Gallagher came under (more than usual) fire from his brother Liam this week for not attending the massive "One Love Manchester" benefit concert, though it turns out he's been contributing to the cause in his own quiet way.
As NME reports, the elder brother has apparently been donating the royalties from Oasis' "Don't Look Back in Anger" to help the victims and families affected by last month's terror attack in Manchester.
Radio X host Gordon Smart claims that Noel made the decision to donate the proceeds as soon as the (What's the Story) Morning Glory? track started cropping up as an unofficial tribute anthem in the wake of the bombings.
"I've seen some unpleasant headlines about Noel and why he never played the gig in Manchester at the weekend," Smart said on air yesterday (June 6). "It's only right to point out, and I don't think this is public knowledge because I'm sure he would never mentioned it, but I found out today that as soon as 'Don't Look Back in Anger' started to appear spontaneously at the vigils, he made sure all the royalties went to the families. That was before any gig was mentioned."
Addressing rumours that an Oasis reunion might happen during this past weekend's benefit show, Smart continued: "It seems wrong to me that Noel's getting a hard time for a reunion he was never part of. It's a shame any attention at all has been taken away from a really special occasion at Old Trafford. But there you go, true fact. He gave his blessing for the songs without any drama at all."
Coldplay's Chris Martin, who led the audience in a massive "Don't Look Back in Anger" singalong and later joined Liam on stage for a rendition of "Live Forever" during the event, has since defended Noel. "Everyone knew in advance you couldn't be there physically, so thank you for being there in spirit and lending us those incredible songs," he tweeted.
UPDATE (6/7, 12 p.m. EDT): Organizers of the "One Love Manchester" benefit concert have now spoken out in defense of Noel's absence, as well, reiterating that he was never schedule to perform and that an Oasis reunion was never planned.
"Sunday's concert was a huge success and we are all dismayed that there is negativity aimed towards Noel Gallagher," reads a statement from SB Projects, Live Nation, Festival Republic and SJM Concerts. "Neither Noel nor Oasis were ever going to perform. We were extremely pleased when, last week, Noel not only gave his blessing for us to use his songs, but also told us that he was donating his royalties from 'Don't Look Back In Anger' to the fund. Let's keep the positivity please. One Love Manchester."
Liam, on the other hand, had earlier suggested that his brother should "get on a fucking plane and play your tunes for the kids you sad fuck."
UPDATE (6/8, 1:30 p.m. EDT): A rep has now also confirmed that Liam Gallagher has been donating his royalties share from "Don't Look Back in Anger" to a Manchester benefit fund as well.
As NME reports, the elder brother has apparently been donating the royalties from Oasis' "Don't Look Back in Anger" to help the victims and families affected by last month's terror attack in Manchester.
Radio X host Gordon Smart claims that Noel made the decision to donate the proceeds as soon as the (What's the Story) Morning Glory? track started cropping up as an unofficial tribute anthem in the wake of the bombings.
"I've seen some unpleasant headlines about Noel and why he never played the gig in Manchester at the weekend," Smart said on air yesterday (June 6). "It's only right to point out, and I don't think this is public knowledge because I'm sure he would never mentioned it, but I found out today that as soon as 'Don't Look Back in Anger' started to appear spontaneously at the vigils, he made sure all the royalties went to the families. That was before any gig was mentioned."
Addressing rumours that an Oasis reunion might happen during this past weekend's benefit show, Smart continued: "It seems wrong to me that Noel's getting a hard time for a reunion he was never part of. It's a shame any attention at all has been taken away from a really special occasion at Old Trafford. But there you go, true fact. He gave his blessing for the songs without any drama at all."
Coldplay's Chris Martin, who led the audience in a massive "Don't Look Back in Anger" singalong and later joined Liam on stage for a rendition of "Live Forever" during the event, has since defended Noel. "Everyone knew in advance you couldn't be there physically, so thank you for being there in spirit and lending us those incredible songs," he tweeted.
UPDATE (6/7, 12 p.m. EDT): Organizers of the "One Love Manchester" benefit concert have now spoken out in defense of Noel's absence, as well, reiterating that he was never schedule to perform and that an Oasis reunion was never planned.
"Sunday's concert was a huge success and we are all dismayed that there is negativity aimed towards Noel Gallagher," reads a statement from SB Projects, Live Nation, Festival Republic and SJM Concerts. "Neither Noel nor Oasis were ever going to perform. We were extremely pleased when, last week, Noel not only gave his blessing for us to use his songs, but also told us that he was donating his royalties from 'Don't Look Back In Anger' to the fund. Let's keep the positivity please. One Love Manchester."
Liam, on the other hand, had earlier suggested that his brother should "get on a fucking plane and play your tunes for the kids you sad fuck."
UPDATE (6/8, 1:30 p.m. EDT): A rep has now also confirmed that Liam Gallagher has been donating his royalties share from "Don't Look Back in Anger" to a Manchester benefit fund as well.
