Noel Gallagher: behind the scenes and on stage – in pictures

As Oasis prepare to tour, photographer Sharon Latham unveils previously unseen photos of Noel Gallagher and his band High Flying Birds and talks us through life on the road with one of the world’s most successful artists

• A New World Blazing is at the Gibson Garage London, until 6 April, with prints available for purchase

F**k You! – Tokyo Garden theatre, 2023

I like to capture the live performances, but I like to show what goes on behind the scenes, so does Noel. In Tokyo, to head back to the dressing room, the band had to walk down a long corridor. I tried hiding but it was difficult and I was spotted as soon as he set off. This shot was the result of him seeing me and playfully telling me to move

Blue Haze – Lucerna Palace, Prague, 2018

Taken at the end of the set at Lucerna Palace, a stunning underground venue like a gold ballroom, as Noel was about to walk off stage. I had to work with a long lens, so this was a really difficult shot to get, but it worked

Home – Manchester Arena, 2018

This was the first time I had photographed the arena after the Manchester bombing. I remember sitting on stage, crying, as Noel faced the emotional weight of having Don’t Look Back in Anger sung back to him

The Sentinel – New Orleans, 2018

During the 2018 US tour, we filmed with director Mike Bruce in New Orleans at the weirdest, wackiest house full of bizarre memorabilia, including a spaceship-type escape vessel. When I asked Noel to pose next to it, he took the opportunity to get into character

High Flying Birds – Tabernacle, Atlanta, 2018

This was when they’d just come off stage for a minute before going back on for the encore. I have absolutely no idea what Russ [Pritchard, bass player] said, but I just love the genuine joy on Noel’s face

Over the Sunset – Abbey Road, London, 2022

I had just three minutes to shoot this during the video for Noel’s Gibson ES-355 launch. We found a side room with red walls – perfect for the guitar. Noel sat on an amp, leaned forward, and that is the image

Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, 2018

Noel had just walked on stage to do a sound check. He just stood there and said “Wow”, taking it in

Lone Star – London, 2022

This whole shot was Noel’s vision. He wanted it to be fisheye style, dark, contrasting and simple. He called me over to his studio and told me that I had 10 minutes. I switched off the warm lights and used the natural back light from the small window. It ended up being the main promo picture used for the tour

Abbey Road, London, 2022

I had the pleasure of filming Noel’s interview for Gibson’s Icon series in the legendary Studio Two at Abbey Road. I decided on a wide shot to show off not only the room but of course the man himself and his epic cherry red Gibson 1960 ES-355 guitar

Thank You, Los Angeles – Orpheum theatre, LA, 2018

At the end of the tour in the US, the band played at the beautiful Orpheum theatre, a classic music-hall style theatre – nothing like I’d expected from LA. This is the last picture of the last night and features all of the High Flying Birds from that amazing tour

Noel Gallagher at Lone Star studios