On February 28, 2026, the BRIT Awards — one of the UK’s most important music shows — took place at Co-op Live in Manchester for the first time in its history. Among the many big winners on the night, Noel Gallagher stood out when he was honored with the Songwriter of the Year award.
Noel hasn’t released new music in the past year or two. Instead, this award celebrated the lasting power of his songs — especially those written during his time with Oasis and in his solo band, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. His songs like Wonderwall, Live Forever, and Don’t Look Back in Anger have become classics that millions of people still listen to today.
🎤 A Heartfelt and Honest Acceptance Speech
When Noel walked on stage to receive the award, he spoke to the crowd with honesty and a bit of humour. First, he thanked the people who helped make his songs come alive, including his brother Liam, and former Oasis bandmates — Bonehead, Guigsy, Andy, and Gem — saying that without them, he’d “just be a singer-songwriter,” and “nobody gives a s*** about singer-songwriters.”
He also thanked the fans directly for keeping those songs alive for over 35 years, saying that they had given him and the band “the most extraordinary life.”
Noel finished his speech with a cheeky shout-out to his favourite football team: “Up the fucking blues!” — a reference to Manchester City. That line was censored on TV, and it didn’t go down well with everyone in the crowd, leading to some boos.
💬 What Noel Said About the Award
Before the ceremony, Noel admitted the award might feel a bit strange because he hadn’t written new songs recently. He joked in an interview that he thought the BRITs might have chosen him because the show was being hosted in Manchester, his home city. He also said he’d be happy to face anyone who disagreed with his win on the red carpet.
Even so, the choice makes sense to many people because his songs — written mostly in the 1990s and 2000s — are still as popular as ever and are listened to by fans all over the world.
📍 A Historic Night in Manchester
The 2026 BRIT Awards were special for many reasons. Not only was it the first time the awards were held outside London, but the night also celebrated music from many styles and generations. Big wins included Olivia Dean taking home several major awards, and a tribute to rock legend Ozzy Osbourne.
Noel’s Songwriter of the Year award was one of the standout moments of the show. For fans of Oasis and British rock, it felt like a reminder of how powerful great songs can be — even decades after they were first released.
🏆 Why This Matters
Noel Gallagher’s songwriting has influenced many artists and helped shape the sound of British music over the past 30 years. Winning Songwriter of the Year is a way of recognizing not just one song or album, but a career full of music that millions of people know and love.
Whether you grew up listening to Oasis in the 90s or found their music later, Noel’s songs have become part of the soundtrack of modern British music — and that’s something worth celebrating.