Noel Gallagher Honored as Songwriter of the Year at 2026 BRIT Awards, Parties Until 4 AM

Noel Gallagher, the former Oasis guitarist, was awarded the Songwriter of the Year BRIT Award on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester – the first time the awards show has been held outside of London in its 47-year history.

Acceptance Speech and Recognition

Gallagher’s acceptance speech was initially censored during the ITV broadcast, but the full, uncensored version has since been released. He began by acknowledging his hometown of Manchester and expressing gratitude to his brother Liam, as well as former Oasis bandmates Bonehead, Guigsy, Tony McCarroll, Alan White, Gem, and Andy. He stated that without their contributions, he would simply be a singer-songwriter, a role he believes holds less appeal.

The award recognizes “exceptional songwriting” and has previously been given to artists such as Ed Sheeran, Kid Harpoon, RAYE, and Charli XCX. The presentation was made by Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie, and a video tribute included a message from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, acknowledging Gallagher’s support for the football club.

Post-Awards Celebration

Following the ceremony, Gallagher continued the celebration at the BRITs afterparty, reportedly drinking Peroni beer until 4 AM. Sources indicate he “out-partied” his nephews, Gene and Lennon, and even his daughter, Anais, who left the party at 3 AM. An insider told The Sun that Gallagher was the “last man standing,” consuming “endless bottles” of Peroni.

Despite winning the award, Gallagher had previously joked about his eligibility, stating he hadn’t written a song in two years. He speculated that his win was due to the BRITs being held in Manchester and a desire to honor a local artist. He also noted his recent record sales, stating, “We sold a million records last year, didn’t even get off the couch.”

Reconciliation with Liam Gallagher

Gallagher’s acknowledgment of his brother Liam during his acceptance speech signals a continued positive relationship following the Oasis reunion tour in 2025. The brothers, known for their long-standing feud, appear to have settled their differences.

2026 BRIT Awards: Key Winners

• Artist of the Year: Dave
• Group of the Year: Wolf Alice
• Song of the Year: Sam Fender with Olivia Dean – Rein Me In
• International Song of the Year: Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT
• International Artist of the Year: ROSALIA
• Breakthrough Artist: Lola Young
• Mastercard Album of the Year: Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving