Elvis Costello admits Oasis are “not for me” and call them a “simplification of The La’s”
Elvis Costello has admitted that Oasis are “not for me” and said they “never has been”.
Costello is set to embark on his UK tour later this week, which includes a homecoming date in Liverpool at the Olympia on June 21st, 2026.
Ahead of his return to Liverpool, Costello spoke with the Liverpool Echo about the difference between artists from Merseyside and Manchester, which led to him sharing his view on Oasis.
Costello shared, “This is probably an heretical thing to say to Mancunians, but I think that Oasis are a simplification of the La’s. There was a purity to Lee’s songs and the whole attitude of that. [Oasis} is much more ruthless, and undoubtedly effective, so I’m not going to knock it.”
Notably, Oasis have spoken favourably about The La’s on many occasions, with Noel Gallagher once telling Absolute Radio, “He (Lee Mavers) only made one album, but if you’re only going to make one album in your life, make that album. He’s an amazing songwriter, lazy bollocks, but we’ll put that to one side.”
Additionally, Cast, who are fronted by The La’s bassist John Power, acted as Oasis’ support act across their triumphant Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour.
However, as much as Oasis aren’t Costello’s cup of tea, he holds nothing against the band, adding, “It’s not for me, never has been. Sometimes that happens. Someone has a good idea and someone takes that idea and turns it into something that communicates to more people. If they’re happy with it then that’s great.”
Nevertheless, it does seem like he does have an issue with Manchester as a whole, explaining of Mancunian audiences, “The truth is I can’t really understand Mancunians. They could be saying something nice, or they could be insulting me, I don’t speak that language. I just can’t understand anything they’re saying.”
Meanwhile, Costello recently responded to the anti-woke backlash he faced for removing ‘Oliver’s Army’ from his sets due to it including the N-word, before re-introducing it with new lyrics.
He shared to The Times, “I no longer use words that go off like alarm clocks, because indignation about that word stops people hearing what the song is about.”
Costello continued, “That is my position. People went, ‘That’s woke.’ Well, go fuck yourself.”
This week, Costello’s latest tour with The Imposters is set to travel through the UK, beginning in Brighton on June 12th, before stopping off at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Barbican in York, plus further dates in Manchester, Portsmouth, and his aforementioned homecoming show at the Olympia in Liverpool.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.