"Oasis Confirm Reading"

"Rumoured £2.5 million fee, Scottish date on the cards"

Noel Gallagher is remaining tight-lipped over reports that Oasis will earn an unprecedented £2.5 million for headlining appearances at Reading and Leeds on August 25 and 28, Speaking to Virgin Radio last Tuesday (February 15), Noel sold: "I was on a show and I said it would take two-and-a-half million reasons to do a festival. What would they have said if I'd sold it would take two reasons? Would that be two quid? I'm not confirming or denying it.'

Noel also spoke about Travis who will be supporting Oasis on their forthcoming North American dates. He said: "It will be good to see Fran and the boys, because last time we saw Travis it was just about to happen for them. We con see how many grey hairs they've got now. Especially after Liam has had his wicked way with them."

In Reading and Leeds, Oasis can expect a warm welcome from civic authorities and traders. Jon Hartley, Reading Arts end leisure chief, said: "To have Oasis playing Reading enhances the event's reputation as the premier British music festival. I'm looking forward to seeing them play."

Trevor Dench, manager of Virgin Megastore in Leeds, said: "It's going to be good for Leeds having Oasis here. It's going to be the gig of the summer. It will help sell the new Oasis album, too - not that it needs any help." Colin Oliver, promoter and owner of the Leeds Cockpit, ventured: 'The only thing I'm a bit concerned about is that 0asis have a big event at Wembley at the end of July and it hasn't quite sold out, so you have to wonder if there may be a bit of overkill. Maybe people will stop buying tickets for that and go to the festivals instead. But it will be fantastic to have Oasis here." Tickets for Reading and Leeds are on sale from March 6 at £80 for the weekend and £33 for day tickets.

Meanwhile, Oasis were refusing to confirm reports of a Scottish gig as we went to press. It's believed that they will play to a 30,000-capacity crowd at Glasgow Green on August 26, with Primal Scream supporting. This will reportedly be the first night of a new festival launched by the Mean Fiddler, which also runs Reading and Leeds, and Scotland's own Regular Music.

Reports from Scotland say planning permission has yet to be granted, but should not present problems. Rumours that Glasgow Green hides dumped toxic waste have been dismissed as a 'scare story'. Apparently, the 'toxic waste' is a chemical used in mothballs. It got into the foundations of a swimming pool, since abandoned and billed in. The authorities don't consider R a health hazard; there is no threat to forthcoming events on the Green.

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c 2000 Andrew Turner

aturner@interalpha.co.uk

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