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Oasis legend Liam Gallagher has launched a fiery attack on the City of Edinburgh Council after they made disparaging remarks about the expected attendees of his upcoming concerts in the city. The singer, known for his outspoken nature, labelled the council officials a “bunch of snakes” after they released a report predicting fans would be “old, raucous, and overweight.”

The council’s comments, intended to inform local businesses and authorities about potential crowd behaviour, were quickly deemed insensitive and ageist by Gallagher and his legions of fans. The report, which outlined preparations for the concerts, included predictions about the demographics of the audience, suggesting a significant proportion would be older fans and likely to be boisterous.

Gallagher took to social media to express his outrage, tweeting: “The Edinburgh council are a bunch of snakes. Seriously? Old, raucous, and overweight? What is this, 1975? My fans are the best in the world, regardless of their age or shape. Get a grip!” The tweet quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes and retweets, with many fans echoing Gallagher’s sentiment.

The controversy has sparked a wider debate about ageism and the portrayal of music fans. Critics argue that the council's comments were not only offensive to Gallagher's fanbase but also perpetuated harmful stereotypes about older people. Many have pointed out that Oasis’s music continues to resonate with a diverse audience, spanning multiple generations.

The City of Edinburgh Council has since issued a statement attempting to clarify their position, claiming the report was intended to provide practical information for event planning and public safety. They stated: “The report was prepared to assist with logistical planning and ensure the safety and enjoyment of all concertgoers. The phrasing used was not intended to be offensive, and we apologise if it has caused any upset.”

However, Gallagher remains unconvinced. His remarks highlight the ongoing tension between local authorities and artists regarding the portrayal of fans and the importance of respecting diverse audiences. This incident serves as a reminder that even seemingly innocuous reports can have unintended consequences and spark significant public backlash, particularly when they touch upon sensitive topics like ageism and public perception of music fans.

The concerts are still scheduled to go ahead as planned, and anticipation remains high amongst fans eager to see the iconic singer perform. Whether this controversy will impact the atmosphere at the shows remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Liam Gallagher is not one to back down from a fight, and he’s made it abundantly clear that he’ll defend his fans, regardless of what anyone else might say.