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Noel Gallagher admits he was too 'arrogant' to appreciate Oasis Knebworth gig

Noel Gallagher and the rest of Oasis performed to 250,000 fans over a weekend at Knebworth House in 1996. (Brian Rasic/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Noel Gallagher and the rest of Oasis performed to 250,000 fans over a weekend at Knebworth House in 1996. (Brian Rasic/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Noel Gallagher has confessed he was "so f***ing arrogant" in the 1990s that he didn't realise the significance of Oasis's iconic gigs at Knebworth.

In 1996, the band performed to 250,000 people over two sold-out shows at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire — and new documentary Oasis Knebworth 1996, directed by Jake Scott, tells the story of that weekend.

Read more: Noel regrets storming out of final Oasis gig

Gallagher told The Sun that the movie feels like a "snapshot" of a band at its "zenith", with the performance often highlighted as the peak moment of the Britpop era.

"I was so f***ing arrogant at the time that it didn’t really register. Genuinely. It’s only since [2016 doc] Supersonic and this film that you try and put yourself back in there and you get goosebumps," said the 54-year-old singer-songwriter.

Watch: Release info confirmed for Oasis Knebworth 1996

He added: “We didn’t feel that overwhelmed. I will see it differently from Liam and all the rest of the guys, but my own part of it, I don’t really remember singing it that much.

“I was more concerned about Sky TV working in the dressing room, to be honest, as it was a new thing. I think it was the FA Cup Final. I was like: ‘F***ing hell. Sky TV. What? In a tent?’”

Read more: Noel says Wonderwall is his least favourite Oasis song

More than 2.5 million fans attempted to get a ticket for the event, either via a telephone hotline or by standing in lengthy queues outside the venue.

That figure remains a record for demand for a music concert in the UK.

A record number of fans applied to see Oasis at Knebworth, with more than 2.5 million people requesting a ticket. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images)
A record number of fans applied to see Oasis at Knebworth, with more than 2.5 million people requesting a ticket. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images)

Gallagher said the footage of the gig in the new movie shows just how much things have changed in the live music world during the 25 years since the concert.

He said: "To see a sea of people like that in the moment ... if you go to Glastonbury now it is f***ing annoying, flags everywhere.

"We had not one flag, not one mobile phone, no one texting. It’s a snapshot in time.”

Read more: Noel confesses he has beer belly after lockdown drinking

When the movie was announced earlier this year, Noel's brother Liam admitted that he didn't even remember much about Knebworth, which he described as "the Woodstock of the nineties".

He added: "It was all about the music and the people. I can’t remember much about it, but I’ll never forget it. It was biblical.”

Jake Scott, director, and Noel Gallagher at the world premiere of 'Oasis Knebworth 1996'. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Jake Scott, director, and Noel Gallagher at the world premiere of 'Oasis Knebworth 1996'. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Oasis split in 2009 and the sibling rivalry between Noel and Liam has been a fascination for fans and media ever since.

Liam has spoken about potentially wanting to reunite the band and claimed last year that Noel turned down £100m to bring them back together, which he denies.

Read more: How many Oasis hits can you name in five minutes?

Noel said earlier this year that he still believes the decision to part ways in 2009 was "the best thing for me and for the band".

Oasis Knebworth 1996 is in UK cinemas from 23 September.

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