Musical artist Noel Gallagher is perhaps best known for both his part in iconic British rock band Oasis and the falling out he had with his brother and bandmate Liam more than a decade ago. And while Oasis has yet to reunite, a few things have changed since the “Wonderwall” days.
Oasis/Twitter
For one, Gallagher, it seems, is no longer skeptical about vegans, he revealed in a recent episode of Matt Morgan’s Patreon podcast. The 56-year-old rock star explained that there was a notable change on his tour bus, which is now primarily vegetarian and vegan, with his new band High Flying Birds.
“I have an 11-piece band,” Gallagher said. “They are all vegetarians, vegans—you name it, they’re in my band.” Interestingly, Gallagher revealed that his personal tour requirements have remained simple, consisting primarily of alcoholic beverages and a variety of snacks, more specifically, “a bottle of whiskey, lots of beers, red wine, rosé wine, water, crisps, chocolate.”
Noel Gallagher, the vegan critic
Gallagher’s willingness to accommodate the vegan and vegetarian preferences of his new band members is a notable shift. In 2019, he voiced skepticism about veganism in a video interview with the Manchester Evening News.
The musician was commenting on fellow artist Shaun Ryder’s decision to host a vegan event in Manchester. This was despite having a vegan band member in High Flying Birds.
“When we were in South America they didn’t know what a vegan was,” Gallagher said. “I passed her the menu and said you might as well eat the f*cking menu.”
He further questioned the vegan lifestyle by saying, “But yeah, vegans, what’s the point? It’s like no animal products at all. These people would literally have f*cking animals roaming the world, cows everywhere in the f*cking streets, sheep in phone boxes.”
Gallagher’s remarks were swiftly met with criticism on social media platforms, particularly from the vegan community.
Interestingly, Gallagher’s previous views seemed to contrast with those within his own family. His daughter, Anaïs, took part in a campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) promoting meat-free living in 2018.
PETA UK
“My dog Ziggy is like my best friend, but all animals feel pain and fear, so if you wouldn’t eat your pets, why would you eat another animal?” she said in the campaign. “Animals need you to speak up for them. Get out there and get active!”
Post-Oasis revelations
Noel Gallagher left Oasis in August 2009 following a tumultuous relationship with his brother. For nearly a year, speculations were rife that Noel would embark on a solo career. These rumors were confirmed in July 2011 when Gallagher announced the launch of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
Since their formation, the band has consistently explored various musical genres, often collaborating with artists like the Crouch End Festival Chorus and Johnny Marr. Their journey, marked by four studio albums, multiple EPs, and several changes in lineup, reveals an evolution from Oasis’ legacy towards a sound that reflects Gallagher’s individuality.
Now in 2023, it seems that this evolution—and perhaps his daughter’s views—has also had an impact on Gallagher’s view on vegans and vegetarians, given his desire to keep band members well-fed on tour.
Rock stars embrace plant-based food
Gallagher’s 11 band members are onto something because these days, a growing number of rockstars are embracing plant-based food.
Legendary rock band Metallica is rewriting the rules for staying fit and healthy while on a grueling world tour. The band members, known for their wild past involving alcohol and drugs, are now embracing healthier lifestyles, including incorporating plant-based foods like tofu into their diet.
Tim Saccenti
In a recent Wall Street Journal interview, Metallica members disclosed that they now prioritize sleep, exercise, and family time while touring. The band’s regimen includes swimming, yoga, body-weight workouts, and Peloton rides. Co-founding member and drummer Lars Ulrich emphasized the importance of staying “sane and healthy,” pointing out that it’s now the band’s number one priority.
To maintain this lifestyle, they are accompanied by personal trainers and chefs who prepare organic meals rich in plant-based proteins such as tofu.
Metallica is not alone in the music industry’s growing embrace of plant-based foods. Artists like Morrissey, Moby, and Paul McCartney have long been advocates. More recently, Gavin Rossdale, frontman of ’90s rock group Bush, shared a plant-based bolognese recipe.
Ellen von Unwerth
Lenny Kravitz has been following a mostly raw, plant-based diet since at least 2016 and Travis Barker, drummer for Blink-182, also switched to a vegan diet after a life-altering plane crash in 2008.
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Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.
