How does Noel Gallagher spend his days in 2011? Riding the tube, devouring new music on his ipad and, finally, launching his debut solo album. NME catches up with The Chief during final rehearsals before he takes his High Flying Birds on the road, buzzing about the joys (and miseries) ofpublic transport and challenging the next generation to step up and steal his rock star crown. “What am I listening to?” he asks himself. “Fucking everything!”
Also in this issue, we pay tribute to REM, the band that burst out of the obscure early 80s post punk scene before evolving into a stadium rocking monster. As the curtain falls on their epic 31 year career, we pay tribute to the original indie icons.
Plus, free for every reader, NME Extra brings you a load of exclusive hidden content, including a classic Noel interview from 2005 (“Jack White? He’s like Zorro on Doughnuts…”), signed stuff to win from Mr Gallagher, tickets to win for the NME Radar tour, an exclusive stream of the new Joy Formidable EP plus loads more.
As well as all that, Bloc Party respond to Kele’s claims that he’s been booted out of the band. So are they true? Matt Helders takes us on a smutty X-rated tour deep into the perverted soul of Arctic Monkeys’ brand new video and Marina bangs on about her own ego.
Plus read the NME verdict on Martin Scorsese’s sprawling George Harrison documentary, hang out with pop hardnut Robyn on the road, and find out who’s playing where via the UK’s biggest and best gig guide.
Oh yeah.
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