Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Britpop rivals Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn perform together for cancer charity

 

Pa
Sunday 24 March 2013 07:31 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Their Britpop rivalry was legendary, but Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn have put their musical differences aside to perform together in aid of a cancer charity.

The Oasis and Blur singers strummed their guitars alongside each other on stage at London's Royal Albert Hall as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust series of concerts, curated by Gallagher.

They were joined last night by Blur guitarist Graham Coxon for a rendition of the band's 1999 hit song Tender, with Paul Weller adding to the star-studded line-up by playing the drums.

Fans were delighted by the collaboration, with many taking to Twitter to praise the musicians.

Twitter user areminder wrote: “Noel Gallagher playing Tender with Damon Albarn & Graham Coxon (& Paul Weller) is blowing my 16 year old mind.”

And randomcammm said: “Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn played together last night for teenage cancer trust. If that is not inspiration, then what is?”.

Photographer Yui Mok, who was there to record the moment, described how the collaboration began with Damon calling “Noel?” towards the wings, before Gallagher walked on to the stage.

He added: “To the initial chords of Blur song Tender, it seemed like everyone was on their feet and you could feel the temperature in the room rise several notches.

“It was one of those moments that are quite few and far between these days, a genuine bit of musical history.”

The pair shared a microphone for two lines of a chorus, exchanging wide smiles as they sang the song, the last of Albarn and Coxon's set of the night.

Fan Catherine Morgan, from Earlsfield, south-west London, said of the performance: “It was electric. Who would have thought you would have seen Damon, Graham and Noel singing Tender, and with Paul Weller on drums!

“It sounded great, true rock and roll, and for a great cause.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in