Liam Gallagher hits back at council's claim Oasis fans are middle-aged drunks
Liam Gallagher has hit back at a council for suggesting that Oasis fans are drunken middle-aged men.
The band frontman said Edinburgh city council's 'attitude f------ stinks' after details of its safety briefings for three sell-out concerts were published.
The documents, obtained by The Scottish Sun, warned of 'medium to high intoxication' levels among fans at the concerts, which will be staged at Murrayfield in August.
They said the concerts – part of the Oasis Live '25 reunion tour – would draw 'a substantial amount of older fans', many of whom were 'middle-aged men'.
This meant that they would 'take up more room', the briefings said, and that this should be considered 'when working out occupancy'.
Officials also warned the shows could disrupt the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, being held at the same time, and prompt performers to pull out.
They said: 'Concerned about the safety of the Fringe and its performers. Many performers are considering not attending for that weekend.
'There is concern about crowds ... as they are already rowdy ... and the tone of the band.'
'I'd leave town that day if I were you'
The comments by council officials were prepared for a multi-agency advisory group involving the local authority, emergency services and transport bodies.
Responding to the report on X, Gallagher said: 'To the Edinburgh council I've heard what you said about Oasis fans and quite frankly your attitude f------ stinks. I'd leave town that day if I was any of you lot.'
He added: 'I'd love to see a picture of all the people on the Edinburgh council — bet there's some real STUNING (sic) individuals.'
Around 210,000 people are expected to attend the three concerts on Aug 8, 9 and 12. Edinburgh's population can double from 500,000 to around a million during that month thanks to visitors to the city's world-famous festivals.
Cllr Margaret Graham, the city's culture and communities convener, said: 'We're very proud to host the biggest and best events in Edinburgh throughout the year, which bring in hundreds of millions of pounds to the local economy and provide unparalleled entertainment for our residents and visitors.
'As with any major event which takes place in the city, we prepare extensively alongside our partners to ensure the safety and best possible experience of everyone involved – and Oasis are no different.
'No two events are the same in terms of requirements or planning and our multi-agency approach reflects this appropriately.'
She said the city had hosted 'many similar events' in recent years and the council was 'working closely with residents in the local area to make sure these concerts pass off as smoothly as possible'.
Cllr Graham added: 'We're all looking forward to seeing Oasis take to the stage this August and I'm sure that they'll 'live forever' as some of the most memorable concerts ever performed at Murrayfield.'
But David Walker, of the Oasis Collectors Group, told The Scottish Sun: 'To call fans drunk, middle-aged and fat is a nasty, sneering stereotype – it's a jaundiced view.
'The fanbase has changed a lot – there's a new generation of young fans for a start, and parents are wanting to introduce their kids to Oasis for the first time.'
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