Liam Gallagher has defended the length of his gigs following his recent tour with John Squire.
The moment arose during a new conversation with NME, where the former Oasis frontman opened up about the response to his huge collaborative self-titled album with the ex-Stone Roses guitarist, and their recently wrapped up UK and European tour.
During the interview, the singer-songwriter was asked about his latest album with the Britpop guitarist, and questioned about why he chose to limit the LP to just 10 songs – despite them already revealing they had material left over from the writing sessions.
“I’m glad there’s only 10 songs on the album. I think when you start doing more songs you take the foot off the gas on certain songs. Everything went into these 10 songs,” he explained.
When told about how some artists expand their albums to appease streaming platform algorithms, he responded: “Well, they’re just teacher’s fucking pets, aren’t they?
“We’re not here to be fucking famous and try to break into China, go up against fucking K-pop and that. We don’t wanna be fucking breaking out into too many sweats, you know what I mean? We’re at a certain age now. We don’t wanna look desperate.”
Later in the interview, the topic of discussion was turned towards his time on the road with Squire, and how some fans were left disappointed after each of their shows came in at less than one hour long.
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“10 songs and a fucking cover!” he exclaimed, highlighting how the two of them play the album tracklist in full, as well as throwing in a cover of Rolling Stones’ ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’. “What’s wrong with yous?” he added, also pointing out that other new acts “wouldn’t fucking do a cover” so audiences at his shows “can count themselves lucky”.
At the duo’s gig in Glasgow last month, the live show was given a four-star review by NME, and praised as keeping things “short and sweet”.
“A man of fewer words than his usual self, Liam’s dominant vocals stay sharp all night, comfortable as ever with this new setlist,” it read.
“Squire’s mere return to the stage and the intimate nature of the night may have been enough for some fans; what we received was masterful and refreshing. But if this is a partnership to be continued, they best get started on album two.”
Since wrapping up the dates, both Gallagher and Squire performed their song ‘I’m A Wheel’ on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night (April 9).
Following the tour, Gallagher said it would “be rude not to do another album” with Squire in the future.
In other news, Gallagher has responded to Andy Bell‘s recent comments about a potential Oasis reunion.
He is also due to embark on a UK and Ireland solo tour this summer to mark the 30th anniversary of ‘Definitely Maybe’. He’ll also showcase the album in full when he headlines Reading & Leeds 2024 in August.
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