Liam Gallagher kicked off the New Year in true Liam fashion, with a sharp jab at the Arctic Monkeys. When a fan dared to ask him on Twitter, “Are Arctic Monkeys bigger than Oasis?” Liam’s response was as cutting as it was classic: “Don’t be stupid.”
It’s a moment that’s reignited debate among fans of Britpop and indie rock. But Liam’s history with Arctic Monkeys is as layered as Alex Turner’s lyrics—full of admiration, critique, and a whole lot of attitude. So, let’s unpack what led to Liam’s brutal comment, how Arctic Monkeys rose to fame, and why their journey rubbed Gallagher the wrong way.
Oasis were the undisputed kings of the Britpop era, with Liam Gallagher’s vocals and his brother Noel’s songwriting redefining British rock. Their hits, like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” became generational anthems, and their unapologetic attitude set the gold standard for what it meant to be a rock star.
Fast forward to the early 2000s. Britpop had faded, and indie rock was having a renaissance. Arctic Monkeys, a group of teenagers from Sheffield, burst onto the scene. They used the internet to build a following, sharing tracks on Myspace and becoming one of the first bands to capitalize on the digital age. By the time their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not dropped in 2006, Arctic Monkeys were being hailed as the future of British rock.
Arctic Monkeys’ rise was meteoric. Their debut album became one of the most influential records of the 2000s, and Alex Turner’s vivid storytelling earned him comparisons to the greats. Songs like “When the Sun Goes Down” painted gritty portraits of life in northern England, striking a chord with fans who saw themselves in Turner’s lyrics.
But not everyone was impressed by the band’s evolution. While Arctic Monkeys were winning awards and experimenting with new sounds, Liam Gallagher was keeping a close eye on their journey—and he wasn’t shy about voicing his opinions.
In 2017, Liam took aim at Alex Turner, accusing him of losing touch with his roots. “They’ve been to America once,” Liam scoffed, “and he comes back speaking American.” He didn’t stop there. Liam mocked Turner’s slicked-back hair and leather jackets, joking about how Turner must look when he visits his mum back in Yorkshire: “She’s gonna give him a clip, isn’t she?”
Arctic Monkeys’ sound and image have undeniably evolved. From the gritty, guitar-driven anthems of their early days to the moody lounge pop of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, the band has constantly reinvented itself. But their later work hasn’t been without controversy.
Some fans felt alienated by the experimental direction of Tranquility Base, which traded the streets of Sheffield for a fictional hotel on the Moon. Critics praised the ambition, but others—including Liam Gallagher—saw it as a step too far from the band’s working-class beginnings.
