Noel Gallagher, the 58-year-old Oasis frontman, has fired back at critics questioning his Songwriter of the Year award at the BRIT Awards 2026. The honor recognizes his lasting impact on British music, boosted by Oasis’s blockbuster reunion tour that sold a million records in 2025 despite no new solo releases that year.

Gallagher Responds to Controversy

In a recent interview with host Andy Goldstein, Gallagher addressed the backlash head-on. He admitted, “I haven’t written a song for two years. I’m not sure how I’ve got away with that one but I’ll take it.”

He attributed the award to Oasis’s success, adding, “To be honest I think they were just desperate to get someone from Oasis up there because it’s Manchester. Our kid said he’s not going.”

Gallagher defended the decision based on sales figures: “I think the Brits is all based on record sales, and I’m not sure there was another single songwriter that sold… I mean, we sold a million records last year. Didn’t even get off the couch and I’m not sure there’s a songwriter that can match that.”

He issued a direct challenge to detractors: “But you know, if anybody’s got a problem with it, meet me there. We’ll have it out on the red carpet. If any of those wet wipes songwriting teams, all 11 of them, want to write a song between the lot of them, want to have it out on the red carpet, I’m there.”

Event Details

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard occurs on Saturday, February 28, at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena. Hosted by Jack Whitehall, the ceremony broadcasts live on ITV. Organizers plan a special visual tribute showcasing Gallagher’s career highlights before he accepts the award.

This year’s winners’ trophy features a design by acclaimed British artist Matthew Williamson, born in Manchester.

Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, lauded Gallagher: “For more than three decades, Noel has crafted songs that have become part of our collective story – bold, brilliant, and always recognisable. His songs have soundtracked memories for multiple generations and defined the spirit of British music globally.”

She continued, “Honouring Noel as Songwriter of the Year celebrates a remarkable body of work and a creative force that continues to connect and inspire artists and fans worldwide.”

BRIT Awards 2026 Nominations

Artist of the Year

• Dave
• Fred Again…
• JADE
• Lily Allen
• Little Simz
• Lola Young
• Olivia Dean
• PinkPantheress
• Sam Fender
• Self Esteem

Group of the Year

• The Last Dinner Party
• Pulp
• Sleep Token
• Wet Leg
• Wolf Alice

Song of the Year (Voted by the Public)

• Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas – Blessings
• Chrystal and Notion – The Days (Notion remix)
• Cynthia Erivo ft Ariana Grande – Defying Gravity
• Ed Sheeran – Azizam
• Fred Again, Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
• Lewis Capaldi – Survive
• Lola Young – Messy
• Myles Smith – Nice to Meet You
• Olivia Dean – Man I Need
• Raye – Where Is My Husband!
• Sam Fender with Olivia Dean – Rein Me In
• Skye Newman – Family Matters

International Song of the Year (Voted by the Public)

• Alex Warren – Ordinary
• Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
• Disco Lines and Tinashe – No Broke Boys
• Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
• Gracie Abrams – That’s So True
• Huntr/x – Golden
• Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
• Rayvn Lenae – Love Me Not
• Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT.
• Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
• sombr – Undressed
• Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

International Artist of the Year

• Bad Bunny
• Chappell Roan
• CMAT
• Doechii
• Lady Gaga
• ROSALÍA
• Sabrina Carpenter
• sombr
• Taylor Swift
• Tyler, The Creator

Breakthrough Artist

• Barry Can’t Swim
• EsDeeKid
• Jim Legxacy
• Lola Young
• Skye Newman

International Group of the Year

• Geese
• HAIM
• HUNTR/X-EJAE/AUDREY NUNA/REI AMI

Alternative Rock Act

• Blood Orange
• Lola Young
• Sam Fender
• Wet Leg
• Wolf Alice

Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act

• Central Cee
• Dave
• Jim Legxacy
• Little Simz
• Loyle Carner

R&B Act

• Jim Legxacy
• Kwn
• Mabel
• Sasha Keable
• Sault

Dance Act

• Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas
• FKA twigs
• Fred Again, Skepta, PlaqueBoyMax
• PinkPantheress
• Sammy Virji

Mastercard Album of the Year

• Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
• Lily Allen – West End Girl
• Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
• Sam Fender – People Watching
• Wolf Alice – The Clearing