Instead of Madonna, Shakira and BTS at the World Cup half-time show: Noel Gallagher would rather raffle off a leg of lamb – and explains why he rejects football spectacles.
Noel Gallagher is a football fan – like so many Brits, he loves grass sports. However, the Oasis member will not watch the musical halftime show at the World Cup final. In the show “talkSPORT” he talks about why the new musical interlude is too much fuss for him.
Leg of lamb instead of halftime show
Madonna, Shakira and BTS are scheduled to play at the halftime show for the World Cup final on July 19th. Coldplay singer Chris Martin was responsible for the program design and booked the three world stars. Speaking to talkSPORT, Gallagher jokes that he won’t be performing at half-time – and would rather lead the half-time raffle instead. The so-called “Halftime Raffle” is a tradition, especially from amateur sports: the club sells tickets to spectators, and the traditional prize is meat. All proceeds then benefit the club and its youth work. It’s this gamble that Gallagher is referring to when he says he won’t be performing at the halftime show because he’s “hosting the halftime raffle for a leg of lamb.”
Halftime raffle instead of a pop star show
Gallagher doesn’t have much enthusiasm for the musical performance. He generally seems to be a more traditional type when it comes to football: “I don’t like changes in football. I’m looking forward to the new rules about corners and time play, that could be a good thing for the game, but I don’t like the spectacle surrounding football.” So it’s better to have a halftime raffle than a pop star show. The British musician also has criticism of the selection of artists: “These aren’t really football people who are performing, are they?”
Are Madonna and Co. football fans?
What exactly he means by “football people” remains unclear. Because all three share an enthusiasm for ball sports: Shakira has been one of the most famous voices at the World Cup for years and has already released her third official World Cup anthem with “Dai Dai”. She is a big football fan and feels a close connection to the tournament. While filming the video for “Waka Waka,” the 2010 World Cup song, she met the father of her children. Gerard Piqué was a national team player for Spain at the time.
Madonna and the members of BTS are also avowed fans: Madonna regularly attends Chelsea games and has already been the face of advertising for their home jerseys. BTS members like V (Kim Taehyung) regularly attract attention with football content on social media and during stadium visits.
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Despite being a musician, Noel Gallagher appreciates the sporting event more than the musical entertainment at the World Cup – and won’t watch it either. However, his dry comments are also classic British Gallagher mannerisms, which perhaps just shouldn’t be taken too seriously.