Noel Gallagher Tops UK Albums Chart, Announces New Tour Dates, Plays Oasis

Former Oasis guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher is back to winning ways with his new band the High Flying Birds, who have topped the UK Albums Chart with their debut self-titled album.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds was released last Monday (October 17th) on Sour Mash Records, Gallagher’s own record label, and has instantly topped the chart ahead of other contenders Matt Cardle and the recently reunited Steps. The ten-song album sold approximately 120,000 copies in the first week, which is reportedly 40% more than the amount sold by former The X Factor ‘star’ Matt Cardle.

As well as outselling his closest competitors, Gallagher has also outsold his brother — High Flying Birds has shifted almost double the amount as Liam Gallagher and his post-Oasis project Beady Eye did back in February with their debut album Different Gear, Still Speeding, which only reached number three in the albums chart.

The news of Gallagher’s success also comes with the announcement of new tour dates. After his debut UK tour, which visits Manchester, Edinburgh and London this month, and a month-long stint in North America and Europe, the High Flying Birds will be returning to England in February next year, with dates in Manchester, Newcastle, London and Birmingham confirmed. Tickets are available from Friday (October 28th).

Gallagher and his band also performed for the first time on Sunday night (October 23rd) in Dublin, Ireland. Among most of the songs from their self-titled debut album, the High Flying Birds also performed nine Oasis tracks, as well as a new song entitled ‘Freaky Teeth’. In total, 20 songs were performed: all but ‘Stop the Clocks’ from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, six from Oasis albums, three Oasis B-sides, one High Flying Birds B-side and one unreleased track. Check out the full set list below, with amateur videos from the gig.