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NME Festival Guide
2009

The Courteeners' Liam Fray: 'Oasis aren't finished'

Frontman adds that Gallagher split means Courteeners are now Manchester's biggest band

The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray has given NME.COM his reaction to Noel Gallagher’s decision yesterday (August 28) to quit Oasis, saying he doesn't believe the band is finished.

Fray, who is on site at Reading Festival and due to play on the Main Stage this afternoon (August 29), also pointed out that with the Gallagher brothers seemingly not working with each other, The Courteeners are now Manchester's biggest band.

"I can't see it being the end [of Oasis]," he said. "They've always been ambiguous, haven't they? Will they, won't they? It's strange, though. I'm pretty shocked and I'm upset. But, you know, it just makes us the biggest band in Manchester now, doesn't it?"

Despite his bravado, the frontman said he was saddened by the apparent split, and paid tribute to Oasis by saying they were the reason he started playing music as an adolescent.

"I'm really, really upset, because they were a big part of my life growing up. Noel's the reason why I picked up the guitar when I was 11 years old - trying to learn 'Wonderwall'. And Liam, as he is, is a fantastic singer. [I've] got a lot of respect for them both."

NME.COM will be coming live from both the Reading And Leeds Festivals sites this weekend (August 28-30). Stay tuned to NME.COM/festivals for news reports, blogs, video interviews and photos from the event.

Get next Wednesday's (September 2) issue of NME for the ultimate Reading And Leeds Festivals review.

Plus have your say on this summer - fill in the annual NME Festival survey now to cast your verdict on 2009, and tell festival chiefs who you want to see next year.

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Comments (5)

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kanejb 

Aug 29, 2009

*Cough, cough* New Order, The Stone Roses, Elbow, Joy Division, The Verve...

TheMicawbers 

Aug 29, 2009

...and he got himself into the NME. Well done.

Gogol Head 

Aug 30, 2009

'Oasis aren't finished'...erm, they are

bodie2bodie 

Aug 30, 2009

...and also big cough - don´t forget to mention sensational DOVES! c´mon! if the courteeners are the biggest band in Manchester, this city is in deep trouble...

gazhat 

Aug 30, 2009

.....am i correct in thinking his band are a 2nd rate Libertines at best ?????....you might share the same name sunshine but none of the talent....

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The Courtneers,                                                        Pic: Andy Fallon

The Courtneers, Pic: Andy Fallon

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