KENDAL Calling has pulled out all the stops to land one of the biggest names in its 11-year history this summer. Noel Gallagher tells KARL STEEL what we can expect from his first-ever visit to the Lake District

One name stands out on the Kendal Calling poster this summer – and not because it’s at the top in the biggest writing.

Noel Gallagher can rightfully lay claim to being one of the most legendary figures in music from the past 25 years, capable of selling out arenas and gracing any stage in the world.

It is 20 years this summer since Oasis played their most memorable gigs, to 500,000 over two nights at Knebworth, and six years into his stint fronting the High Flying Birds he’s just entertained a near-six figure audience at Lollapalooza Brazil.

For any festival of any size, landing an act of such prominence is a coup - even if for Noel it’s small change compared to what he’s grown accustomed to.

For those in attendance - and others sharing the poster with him - it is a chance to see a world-renowned star in little old Cumbria.

“Whether you’re playing to 90,000 people in Sao Paulo or the next week to 16,000 in Switzerland, one isn’t less important than the other,” he states matter-of-factly.

“I’m not sure when I agreed to Kendal Calling, but they’ve somehow managed to convince me to go there. I’ve managed to steer clear of the Lake District so far - I’ve never ever been, not even for a day out.

“Bands will tell you that they love playing festivals because you can travel to all these places and play alongside your heroes, but that’s rubbish – they pay loads.

“But I guess it’s pretty cool that there’s bands out there who see you as heroes. I remember the first time we went to Glastonbury and we met Paul Weller.

“We’d probably been on it all weekend and I was totally knocked out, but I remember that clearly.

“He was one of my heroes and now he’s become a very, very good friend of mine.

“So yeah, you can meet your heroes, but it’s all about making money and any band that tells you otherwise is talking rubbish.”

Despite his businessman-like approach to touring and promoting his new band, the straight-talking Britpop figurehead is still passionate about the music he makes, and you get the impression that his only real concern is that the fans hold it in high regard.

Two albums in as Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - billed as a solo project, but very much a “proper” band with accomplished musicians alongside him - there are some great recent singles that will get an airing in Lowther Deer Park this July.

But that doesn’t mean the old Oasis numbers are consigned to history - Noel knows what the fans expect of him.

“People aren’t there to see me, they’re there to listen to the songs that I wrote And I’m only there to see them.

“The biggest mistake you can make, especially at a festival, is playing stuff that no-one’s heard. Don’t play your new record if it’s not out yet - give the people what they want.

“They’re there to see 10 or 15 bands, drink a load of beer and sing along to your singles.

“We live in an age of nostalgia, and I understand that, and I don’t mind that. There’s 60 million-odd people in this country and 55 million know me as that bloke from Oasis.”

Both albums - 2011’s self-titled debut and 2015 effort Chasing Yesterday - were released on his own label, Sour Mash Records, and landed straight at number one, and you get the feeling he’s prouder of this than anything that’s gone before.

But it’s still difficult to believe that seven years have passed since the biggest indie band in history called it quits, and Noel’s often asked about his “new band” and how he’s getting used to taking centre stage.

“We’ve been doing this for six years - the Beatles were only going for eight!” is his retort.

“The people who go to the gigs and buy my records don’t see it as a new thing or a novelty anymore.

“When I started it, I didn’t really have any idea what would happen, but it’s been good, the records are good and people like it. You don’t tour for two years non-stop if your record is no good.

“Record sales are nothing now, and the only way to measure anything now is by your live shows.

“Honestly, what I do is the hardest thing you can do. Not the singing - that’s the easiest. Anybody can sing - you could get up there and sing - it’s easy when you’ve got 11 people writing your songs and playing the music.

“I’m writing the music and the lyrics, I’m playing it and recording it, and singing. I’m doing the artwork, I’m running the record label - I’m even making the tea!

“And yeah, that’s what makes it rewarding.”

Albums may not be flying off the shelves as they once were, and, of course, festivals like Kendal Calling help pay the bills.

But Noel’s still excited at the prospect of playing to new faces, many of whom will have been too young to remember his old band in their heyday.

“To the people of Kendal - I’ll be the one in the middle of the stage with the shiny red guitar, playing some old songs, playing some new ones, and if you would please sing along and buy a T-shirt, that’d be amazing.”

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds headline at Kendal Calling, which takes place at Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith, from July 28 to 31, 2016.