Brit

NOEL Gallagher has confirmed he will reunite with brother Liam – three months after their Oasis reunion tour wrapped.

The brothers reunited after 16 years for a sensational five month tour – starting in Wales and ending in Brazil.

The Sun revealed last week that Noel will be getting a starring role when the Brit Awards come to his home city of Manchester this month.

The Wonderwall hitmaker will be honoured with Songwriter of the Year during the ceremony at Co-op Live.

Although some fans were left divided over Noel winning the prize in a year that he has not released any new material.

Meanwhile, Noel hit back over the decision to award him Songwriter of the Year at the upcoming Brit Awards. 

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Speaking on talkSPORT Drive about the award, Noel said: “I haven’t written a song for two years.

“I’m not sure how I’ve got away with that one but I’ll take it.”

Asked about the controversy, he responded: “Is there? I don’t know. Why, what’s it now?”

Host Andy Goldstein said: “Some people are questioning the fact that you’ve won it and haven’t written a song.”

Noel replied: “Well, I think the Brits is all based on record sales, and I’m not sure there was another single songwriter that sold… I mean, we sold a million records last year.

“Didn’t even get off the couch and I’m not sure there’s a songwriter that can match that.

“But you know, if anybody’s got a problem with it, meet me there. We’ll have it out on the red carpet.

“If any of those wet wipes songwriting teams, all 11 of them, want to write a song between the lot of them, want to have it out on the red carpet, I’m there.”

Noel then revealed that he and Liam are planning on reuniting for a Carabao Cup final, which takes place in March.

Revealing whether Liam will be at the BRITs with him, Noel said: “I haven’t, no, we’re just organising tickets for the Carabao Cup final today, but no, I haven’t spoke to him about that, no.”

The Sun revealed that mastermind behind Oasis‘s incredible back catalogue of hits would be receiving the award later this month.

A source said: “Noel has more than earned his stripes and after the phenomenal effect of Oasis’ reunion tour last summer, the time felt right to give him the honour.

“The cultural impact of Noel’s songwriting is hard to quantify. It’s not just the timeless hits from Oasis, like Wonderwall, Champagne Supernova and Live Forever, that he is being honoured for, but also the career-defining songs he wrote for his solo albums with High Flying Birds.

“The Brits are planning a special visual tribute to Noel too, which will showcase some of the highlights of his work before he picks up the awards.”

He famously said in 2013 that he’d never attend the ceremony again, after moaning it had lost its rock ‘n’ roll magic when he spotted Muse drummer Dominic Howard smoking an e-cigarette on the balcony above him.

Noel, below, said: “It was an instantly forgettable night. There was nothing going on at the Brits, there was nothing going on at the after-show parties.

“There are no characters left in the music business. I saw the drummer from Muse smoking an electronic cigarette. I had to say to him, ‘Really?”

Noel added: “That will be the last time I attend that show unless I get some award for . . .  ‘and the award this year for the only person in England writing his own songs, oh that’s right, there’s only one nominee’.”

This year marks 30 years since Noel and brother Liam enjoyed their biggest night at the Brits.

They picked up three gongs — Best Group, Best Album for (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? and Best Video for Wonderwall.

HE has more than two decades of hits under his belt and worked with everyone from Amy Winehouse and Dua Lipa to Adele and Miley Cyrus.

Now I can exclusively reveal Mark Ronson will get his flowers at the Brit Awards later this month, as he will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music award.

And, in even more good news for viewers, Mark will also take to the stage for a performance at the ceremony, being held at ­Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on February 28.

The superstar DJ, producer and songwriter said: “This is the most meaningful honour of my career.

“I think of the times I’ve watched artists I revere accept this same award.

“The idea that I’m now standing in that ­lineage feels impossible.

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“I left England as a kid, but this country runs through everything I’ve made.

“The UK artists I’ve worked with — their brilliance and refusal to compromise — shaped not just my work but how I understand what music should do.

“And more than anything, it’s the crowds here who’ve ­sustained and showed up for me.

“The fans, the festival crowds, the record buyers and streamers — the love has always been overwhelming. I’m beyond grateful for all of it.”

The gong is richly deserved for Mark, who has helped guide some of my favourite artists to superstardom.

It is a poignant year to receive the award, as it marks 20 years since Mark produced Amy’s Back To Black album, which is widely considered one of the greatest records of all time.

Details about his performance are being kept under lock and key, but I imagine he will be treating us to a medley of his hits including the Bruno Mars classic Uptown Funk and Miley Cyrus’ Nothing Breaks Like A Heart.

He joins a stellar list of performers, with Harry Styles, Olivia Dean and Wolf Alice already announced. In receiving the gong, Mark is following in the footsteps of other British favourites including Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams and Blur.

Jack Whitehall is returning to host the biggest night in UK music for the sixth time.

And I am expecting my story about Maura Higgins’ kiss with married McFly singer Danny Jones at last year’s Universal Music after-party to feature heavily in his jokes.

Bring it on.

Nicole strikes a blue note

NICOLE SCHERZINGER looked belting in blue after performing at a charity concert.

She wore this stunning gown to the Love Life: West End Unites Against Cancer event at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane just as I revealed her ex Lewis Hamilton, who she dated from 2007 to 2015, is secretly seeing Kim Kardashian.

Nicole is now engaged to former rugby union player Thom Evans – but I won’t be surprised if this gives her a nudge to get on with her wedding planning.

Ben and Benson’s goalden gags

BEN STILLER and Benson Boone play brothers who can’t stop fighting in a new ad.

In the guise of an Eighties Europop duo, the pair argue after comedian Ben tries and fails to copy Benson’s famous backflips.

Then they lock horns over the Super Bowl, with Ben confusing American football with soccer.

He says: “We are excited to sing for you in this football game. Hopefully many, many goals.”

Singer Benson corrects him: “This is a different football – they touch down,” prompting yet more bickering.

Their double act is for online grocery service Instacart’s ad, which will air during the US sporting event on Sunday.

I feel like they need a whole film together.

Kooks show on Sail soon

THE KOOKS will play a huge show at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, South East London, on July 31 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their incredible album Inside In/Inside Out.

It comes as Luke Pritchard releases a live version of his brilliant 2014 tune See Me Now, which he wrote for his musician dad Bob, who died when he was three.

The new version was recorded at London’s O2 Arena last year, with Luke, telling me: “I didn’t think I would be able to finish the song.

“I just thought how much that this would blow my dad’s mind – that I played the song to that many people in London, you know.”

Bob, who once supported The Rolling Stones on tour, helped Luke first pick up a mic, with the star explaining: “My mum dropped off a load of tapes of me and my dad that I’d never seen.

“He was teaching me to use a microphone, play guitar, pose like a rock star, all when I was three.”

Tickets for the show go on sale at noon on Monday.

I’ll see you there.

Molotovs’ No1 battle

THE MOLOTOVS have thrown down the gauntlet to Lily Allen as they battle her for the No1 album spot this Friday, warning: “We’re coming for you.”

Punk rock siblings Matt and Issey Cartlidge, who make up one of the most exciting and disruptive new bands I’ve seen in years, are at No2 in the midweek charts with their debut record Wasted On Youth.

Meanwhile, Lily has shot up to the No1 spot with West End Girl, after she released physical copies of the record for the first time.

The race is tight, and in an exclusive chat, Matt told me: “Watch out silly Lily, we’re coming for you.

“We’d love to beat you. We wish you all the best but f***ing, come on! We’ll have you!”

Issey adds: “Battling with Lily Allen proves bands are coming back. People still have an appetite for our music.”

Lily, right, is more than happy to hand over the mantle and, on Monday night, issued a public statement to the siblings, writing on Instagram: “It’s all love baby, I hope you win the war.”

Matt and Issey have worked tirelessly to get their album heard and have played 600 live shows to date, while simultaneously championing grassroots venues.

Their campaigning, alongside the Sex Pistols and Frank Carter, helped save the iconic Bush Hall in West London, after a fundraising drive brought in £45,000.

Issey adds: “We’re now ambassadors for the Music Venue Trust too. The 30-date tour we’re on now has been in small, grassroots venues – we wanted to champion them.

“These venues and institutions are so important.”

The pair will support their pal Yungblud on his UK arena tour in April, before they embark on their own 13-date tour across the UK in September, taking in venues including London’s 2,300-capacity O2 Forum Kentish Town.

Matt said: “It’s a big step up. We’ve always had the same level of confidence, we’re just getting bigger.”

The Molotovs deserve a No1 for Wasted On Youth – it is fantastic.

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Suede @ Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

★★★★☆

SUEDE kicked off their sold-out UK tour in blistering form over the weekend, promoting latest album Antidepressants which topped The Sun’s album poll in December.

Brett Anderson teased us fans by inviting us into their world, before warning: “It’s not very nice and full of barbed wire.”

But in reality, the set is packed with new tunes and a sprinkling of classics from the Nineties, with Brett’s voice stronger than ever as he treats us to an off-mic a capella tear jerker among the thundering hits.

With 14 of the 21 songs coming from their post- 2010 comeback albums, it’s proof that being the self-dubbed “anti-nostalgia band” is a pretty perfect world after all.

THIS Sunday Bad Bunny will take to the stage for what I ­imagine will be an epic Super Bowl half-time show.

But before that, rapper Lil Wayne will also have his own half-time show . . . virtually, at least. The five-time Grammy winner is set to perform his 2008 hit A Milli on mobile game Clash Royale on Friday.

Lil Wayne said: “Music, sports, and gaming all in one place – y’all know how much I love being at the centre of the culture. I’m turning the Clash Royale Arena into the most lit concert of the week.

“Tap in on February 6 to see what we got in store for y’all.”

CHAPPELL ROAN has defended the “nipple ring” Thierry Mugler dress she wore to the Grammys on Sunday, insisting she had no idea it would cause controversy.

Sharing images on Instagram of the frock, which had fabric hanging from prosthetic pierced nipples, the singer wrote: “Giggling because I don’t even think this is THAT outrageous of an outfit.

“The look is actually so awesome and weird. I recommend just exercising your free will – it’s really fun and silly.”

I am pleased to see Chappell can laugh about it.

Every red carpet could do with a bit more silliness in these troubled times.

ONE of the UK’s most celebrated rock bands has been officially confirmed to perform at the Brit Awards alongside major stars.

The indie band, joining Harry Styles and Olivia Dean, is none other than Wolf Alice.

They were the first band confirmed by the BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard and it could be a huge night for them.

Wolf Alice are up for three exciting awards including, Group of the Year, Alternative/Rock Act and Mastercard Album of the Year for their fourth studio album ‘The Clearing’.

Their newest album debuted last August and was a huge hit with fans, reaching number one upon release.

Theo Ellis, Wolf Alice’s bassist, said: “We’re truly honoured to get the opportunity to play this year’s BRIT Awards!

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“Can’t wait to see what everyone’s wearing, can’t wait to see who else is playing, can’t wait to have ten mini wines (after we play).

“Most of all can’t wait for a big night out in Manny. Make sure to tune in and watch it all live on the telly.”

The band recently announced a huge summer show at Finsbury Park on 5th July, where they will be joined by The Last Dinner Party, Lykke Li, Rachel Chinouriri, Keo, and Florence Road.

Wolf Alice had a jam-packed year in 2025 from performing at Glastonbury in the summer to launching a huge global tour for their newest album.

The band travelled across North America, Europe and the UK from September to December and it seems they’re not slowing down anytime soon.

Comedian Jack Whitehall will be back on Saturday, 28 February to host The Brit Awards as it debuts at its new Manchester home.

Last week, the nominations were announced for this year’s awards and leading the charge for 2026 are Olivia Dean and Lola Young with five nominations each.

Sam Fender follows closely behind with four nominations following his Mercury Prize win last year.

Other British artists up for awards this year include Lily Allen, Calvin Harris, JADE, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, PinkPantheress, RAYE and Skye Newman.

The public vote for Song of the Year with Mastercard and International Song of the Year open tomorrow at midday only via Whatsapp.

Information on the vote can be found here.

The Brit Awards will be available to stream exclusively on ITV and ITVX.

easyJet’s new travel report shows dark sky tourism, padel holidays and Gen Z trends are dominating summer bookings to Spain and beyond

Dark skies tourism is set to be one of the top travel trends this summer, driven by a growing fascination with astronomy and astrophotography, according to The Great British Holiday Audit by easyJet and easyJet Holidays. The report highlights a surge in bookings for Spanish hotspots like Valencia, Palma Mallorca, and Ibiza, particularly around August 12th, as travellers aim to combine sun-soaked breaks with catching the solar eclipse.

These locations are perfectly situated in the eclipse’s path and benefit from long, clear summer days. And the trend is especially popular among Gen Z and has been amplified by TikTok, following a wave of interest sparked by the Northern Lights visibility in the UK in 2025.

Beyond astronomical events, longer short-haul flights of five to six hours are also becoming the “new norm”. For example, Tunisia saw a 12% increase in easyJet flights, particularly to the island of Djerba. Meanwhile, Tbilisi, Georgia is gaining traction as a popular city-break destination.

And travel to longer-leisure hotspots such as Morocco, Turkey, and Cyprus has seen a 21% rise.