The news of an Oasis reunion has fans speculating about every possible detail and it includes Noel Gallagher’s role in playing lead guitar. Since going solo, Noel’s music direction has shifted away from the heavy, layered guitar solos that defined Oasis’s sound in the 90s. However, with the reunion on the horizon, fans are eager to know if he’ll step back into that iconic lead guitarist role or if most of the solos will be handled by Gem Archer, who’s been a long-time collaborator.
Noel Gallagher’s History with Oasis Lead Guitar Parts
Noel Gallagher’s relationship with the lead guitar role has changed. While he started as Oasis’s primary lead guitarist, by the late 90s and into the 2000s, he began sharing or even delegating solos to Gem, particularly on more layered songs like “Morning Glory.” During live performances, Noel often played rhythm and let Gem take over lead duties, especially when the song had multiple intricate sections. However, for some songs, like the iconic “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” Noel continued to handle the lead parts himself.
Gem Archer stepped into the lead guitarist role and handled it well during Oasis’s later years. Known for his technical skill and ability to replicate the sound that Noel crafted in the studio, Gem became an essential part of Oasis’s live performances. With Gem likely to be part of the reunion tour lineup, he could once again take the lead on more complex or layered songs, allowing Noel to focus on his role as a songwriter and rhythm guitarist.
Fans are divided on whether Noel will go all in on his lead parts. Some expect Noel to lean into rhythm guitar, as he’s done for much of his solo career. However, others think that Noel recognizes the importance of his lead guitar sound for Oasis’s reunion, especially considering how much fans want a nostalgic experience. The year of preparation before the tour could be an opportunity for Noel to revisit those memorable solos and give fans a taste of the original Oasis energy.
Noel still plays leads on some of his solo tracks, though not as often. If he’s motivated by the significance of the reunion—and if he wants to make a lasting impression on fans who’ve waited for over a decade for this moment—there’s a strong chance he could surprise everyone by playing more leads than expected. And while the spotlight will likely still include Gem’s technical expertise, Noel’s personal touch on the guitar would bring back that authentic Oasis sound.
If Noel does step up, it’s likely we’ll hear him on all the classic 90s songs where he originally played lead. For tracks from Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, it would make sense for Noel to stick to his original parts, possibly even reliving some of the early magic that defined Oasis’s peak. For fans, seeing Noel play the solos on “Champagne Supernova” or “Live Forever” would add a genuine touch to the reunion experience.
Ultimately, while Gem will likely cover much of the more technical or layered solos, Noel stepping up for specific lead parts could very well happen. Considering the emotional weight of this reunion, Noel might take the extra time to revisit his lead guitar moments, acknowledging what Oasis meant to fans and honoring the legacy that he helped build.
