Liam Gallagher gifts giant Oasis ‘Definitely Maybe’ globe for installation at Manchester’s Co-op Live
Liam Gallagher has gifted the giant globe from his 30th anniversary ‘Definitely Maybe’ tour to an installation at the Co-op Live in Manchester.
The soloist and former Oasis frontman played four headline shows at the new arena earlier this summer, where he performed the Britpop band’s 1994 debut album in full and showcased other rarities from that era – including the Noel-sung B-side ‘Half The World Away’.
LG’s stage set up for the celebratory gigs featured a recreation of the large globe that appears on the ‘Definitely Maybe’ artwork, along with other items from the iconic front sleeve.
It came after Liam told fans that he was “gonna go for it visually” at the concerts, and “bring the cover alive”.
Now, it has been announced that the singer has donated his giant globe to the Co-op Live as “a semi-permanent fixture”. It’ll soon be displayed in the venue’s atrium, The Street, to celebrate Liam’s run of shows and to further commemorate three decades of ‘Definitely Maybe’.
Additionally, the Co-op Live has donated £25,000 to Liam’s chosen charity, Happy Doggo. Launched in 2021, the organisation reduces the suffering of stray dogs by offering support, sanctuary and welfare worldwide.
A press release reads: “The donation aligns with the venue’s wider commitment to supporting charities and causes that performers are linked to. Further signifying Co-op Live’s commitment to charity, the venue will also encourage fans to add donations through in-venue QR codes, digital and physical activations.” Visit here to donate.
Rebecca Kane Burton, Interim General Manager at Co-op Live, said: “There’s nothing more fitting than immortalising a part of Liam Gallagher’s triumphant homecoming as a fixture in the venue.
“It’s great to be able to pair this with a donation to Liam’s chosen charity, Happy Doggo, and to encourage many more fans to do the same as they walk through Co-op Live’s doors.”
Niall Harbison, founder and CEO at Happy Doggo, added: “We couldn’t be happier that [rescue dog] Buttons found her home with Liam and Debbie. Not only have they provided the best home we could ever hope for, they have and continue to be such incredible supporters of our mission.
“Together with Co-op Live, we’ve changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of street dogs already.”
Back in June, Liam praised the new Co-op Live venue – saying it was “up there with New York’s Madison Square Garden”. His return to the stage in Manchester was also marked with a blue plaque at a branch of Lidl – where he “almost” played.
This weekend will see LG perform ‘Definitely Maybe’ in its entirety when he headlines Reading & Leeds 2024.
You can find any remaining tickets for this year’s festivals here (Reading) and here (Leeds). Alternatively, those who aren’t attending can see how to watch coverage online and at home.
The 30th anniversary of Oasis’ seminal debut album is also being celebrated with a special reissue of the record, which is out next Friday (August 30) via Big Brother. You can pre-order it here.
Fans have already been given a taste of the forthcoming collection with a rare alternative version of ‘Sad Song’ sung by Liam, as well as ‘Up In The Sky (Monnow Valley Version)’ and ‘Columbia (Sawmills Outtake)’.
In other news, Noel Gallagher has said he is still trying to “live up” to the success of Oasis’ first two albums.
“We went directly from the last night of the ‘Definitely Maybe’ tour to record ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’, and then spent the following 29 years – and counting – trying to live up to both albums,” he recalled.
“We knew the songs were great because we played them every night and all the shows were outrageous. But at that time it was just a good album – nothing more, nothing less. It’s only through time that it has become what it is now.”
He recently launched a series of ‘Definitely Maybe’-inspired signed prints in aid of War Child.
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Tom Skinner
NME
