Any way we can get a glimpse of the life or inner workings of Mancunian icons, especially musicians, we’re all for it. Luckily for us, it has been announced that Noel Gallagher will display his private guitar collection as part of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of legendary instrument brand, Epiphone.
‘Epiphone 150th Anniversary: Featuring the Guitars of Noel Gallagher‘ will run from September 27, 2023 to January 14, 2024 at the British Music Experience (BME) in Liverpool, and will feature four of the musician’s private Epiphone guitar collection. The guitars on show will include his Epiphone Riviera with Bigsby from the Definitely Maybe album cover and his Epiphone Frontier FT110 used on the (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? recording.
The Riviera is Noel’s own line of guitar with Epiphone, inspired by his long-lived love of the maker, that started with the Beatles.
SEE ALSO: Could An Oasis Reunion With Noel And Liam Gallagher Finally Be On The Cards?
Noel said: “I wanted to start playing Epiphones because of the Beatles. I didn’t know anything about guitars then. They looked good; they felt good, I could make them sound good. I’m a songwriter, not a guitar player. You know, that’s my thing. I’m not one of those people who can sit in a guitar shop and play lots of things. I will literally play an E chord, and if it had sounded great and felt good, I would have just said, ‘Yeah, I’ll take it.'”
Epiphone instruments were used throughout recording sessions for albums Definitely Maybe and (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, and in 1996, Oasis headlined two epic shows at Knebworth, with Noel using a 1990s Epiphone Sheraton for the legendary performances.
Epiphone joined the infamous Gibson in 1957, rejuvenating its line of guitars and making the brand visible to the likes of the Beatles and, eventually, Noel himself. The partnership between the two brands has continued ever since, retaining the reputation of both as the best of the best, alongside the younger Fender.
The British Music Experience has a season of activity planned to support the celebrations, including the Epiphone take-over of the Gibson Brands Interactive Studio, which will be refreshed and restocked with a line-up of some of the very best Epiphone guitars – a must-visit for any guitar or general music fans.
Access to the Epiphone exhibition is included with all general entry tickets purchased, which you can pre-book here, or purchase on site.
The British Music Experience is in the middle of the Three Graces on the Mersey in Liverpool, at Cunard Building, Liverpool, L3 1DS.