Journalist 'banned' from Noel Gallagher gig after album criticism

A journalist was refused press tickets to a Noel Gallagher concert in Edinburgh last week after the writer made negative comments about the former Oasis star's new solo album.

Edinburgh Evening News music writer Gary Flockhart was told by the singer's PR that he could not have free entry to Gallagher's show at Usher Hall in the city.

In a column published in the paper the previous week, Flockhart had said that Gallagher's High Flying Birds record was a "letdown" and "a big disappointment".

After asking for press tickets to the concert, the journalist received a strong response via email from Simon Blackmore of Black Arts PR.

It read: "Sorry Gary - not going to be able to spare any (is ridiculously oversubscribed and can't fit everybody in). That piece you wrote about him last week didn't exactly help your cause to be honest."

In response to the ban, Flockhart told his own paper: "Noel is a great musician, and I've no doubt he would have put on a great show. He would have been judged on the gig itself, not the new album.

"This is a man who has spent his entire career slagging off other artists - he obviously doesn't like it when the shoe is on the other foot."

Tom Little, editor of the Edinburgh Evening News, added: "Personally, I think Noel Gallagher is a fine artist and songwriter, but it sounds like he needs better PR. Black Arts, indeed.

"Maybe Mr Blackmore and I should do a job swap - he can choose who does our music reviews and I can travel round the world and party with Noel."

Watch the music video for Noel Gallagher's 'AKA... What A Life' below: