Oasis has enlisted guitarist Mike Moore to step in for Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs on their upcoming tour dates. Moore, a close associate of Liam Gallagher and a member of his solo touring band, will take on rhythm guitar duties starting from tomorrow night’s performance at Goyang Stadium in Seoul. Fans spotted Moore arriving at the airport recently, and sources confirmed to the Mirror that he is the new addition to Oasis, set to soundcheck and perform within the next 24 hours.
Bonehead will be absent for parts of the tour due to prostate cancer treatment, which he disclosed at the beginning of October. A band insider mentioned, “Mike Moore has been performing with Liam since 2017 and is familiar with many of the Oasis tracks from the solo shows. It’s a temporary role in the band, and everyone wishes Bonehead a speedy recovery, but it’s a significant opportunity for Mike, and he is eager to hit the stage.” Notably, Moore is not the sole member from Liam’s band to join Oasis, as Christian Madden also contributes on keyboards.
The remaining lineup of the band remains unchanged, with Noel Gallagher, Gem Archer, Andy Bell, and Joey Waronker continuing their involvement. After wrapping up their successful UK performances, Oasis is currently in South Korea, with upcoming tour stops in Australia, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina.
Regarding his health update, Bonehead shared on social media, “Earlier this year, I received a prostate cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, my response to treatment has been positive, allowing me to be part of this amazing tour. However, I need to take a planned break for further care, leading to my absence from the shows in Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne, and Sydney. While I’m sad to miss these performances, I am feeling well and will be back in time for the South American leg of the tour.” Anais, daughter of Noel Gallagher, expressed affection for Bonehead in response to his message.
Bonehead played a pivotal role in reuniting the Gallagher brothers and the band for the ongoing sold-out tour. Oasis kicked off their tour with two remarkable comeback shows in Cardiff, marking their first performances in almost 16 years. Speculation had circulated regarding the individual credited with reconciling Noel and Liam Gallagher’s relationship.
During the comeback tour’s second night, Noel humorously acknowledged the band members, including Joey Waronker as the 13th official drummer. Noel also credited Bonehead for his essential role in the band’s resurgence. Bonehead, who previously battled tonsil cancer in April 2022, announced in September of the same year that he was cancer-free following a successful scan.
For those impacted by this story, support resources and guidance are available at Macmillan Cancer Support and Prostate Cancer UK.