Key Takeaways
- Noel Gallagher's award: He has been named the songwriter of the year for the 2026 BRIT Awards.
- Criticism response: Noel jokingly invited critics to discuss their concerns on the red carpet.
- Petition details: A petition against his award claims it denies recognition to other songwriters.
- Sales success: Oasis saw a significant increase in sales due to their recent global tour.
Oasis’ Noel Gallagher has hit back at critics of his forthcoming songwriter of the year award at the 2026 BRIT Awards, joking that they can “have it out on the red carpet.”
Noel was announced on Feb. 4 as the winner of the honorary title, recently won by Charli xcx (2025), RAYE (2024) and Kid Harpoon (2023).
A petition set up by musician Låpsley said that the BRIT Awards were “denying another songwriter” by recognizing Noel despite the fact that neither he nor Oasis released any original material in 2025. The band’s Live ‘25 tour consisted of ‘90s classics, predominately from first three albums (Definitely Maybe, 1994; Morning Glory, 1995; and Be Here Now, 1997), which Noel is credited as the sole songwriter on.
At press time, the petition has 108 signatures and calls for “clear eligibility” around who qualifies for the award.
Speaking on radio station TalkSport on Monday afternoon (Feb. 9), Noel responded to the furor around his win. “I haven’t written a song for two years. I’m not sure how I’ve got away with that one, but I’ll take it,” he laughed.
Host Andy Goldstein responded, “Some people are questioning the fact that you’ve won it and haven’t written a song.”
Noel replied, “Well, I think the BRITs is all based on record sales, and I’m not sure there was another single songwriter that sold … I mean, we sold a million records last year. Didn’t even get off the couch and I’m not sure there’s a songwriter that can match that. But you know, if anybody’s got a problem with it, meet me there. We’ll have it out on the red carpet.”
“If any of those wet wipes’ songwriting teams, all 11 of them, want to write a song between the lot of them, want to have it out on the red carpet, I’m there.”
Later in the interview, Gallagher added, “I’m in the studio now, so I’d better do something soon. If I am honest I think they just were desperate to get someone from Oasis up there because it is in Manchester.” When asked if brother Liam will also be attending the ceremony at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Feb. 28, Noel responded, “I haven’t spoke to him about that, no.”
Billboard U.K. has approached the BRIT Awards for comment on the petition. You can rewatch Noel’s appearance on YouTube.
Oasis’ material enjoyed a surge in sales and streams in 2025 owing to the 41-date global tour. The band occupied the No. 1 spot on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart across multiple weeks and reissued its catalog with tour-only exclusive physical editions.
Olivia Dean and Lola Young lead all nominees at this year’s BRIT Awards with five nominations each. Confirmed performers thus far include Harry Styles, Olivia Dean and Wolf Alice.
