Suede have shrugged off Liam Gallagher's scathing remarks, with bassist Mat Osman describing the Oasis frontman's public insults as merely 'stirring things up'. In April, Gallagher took to X to criticise the band, writing that they 'dressed like estate agents' and declaring them and the Manic Street Preachers 's**t' for lacking 'attitude, swagger and style'.
Osman unfazed by Gallagher's comments
Speaking to Metro, Mat Osman laughed off the criticism, saying: 'I think he said we were dressed s**t. I mean, I've met Liam many times, and he's always been lovely.' He added: 'What he says in the press is always designed to stir things up.' Bandmate Neil Codling noted that Gallagher had previously praised their song It Starts And Ends With You as an 'effing tune', which Codling said he would 'take that' with a grin.
Suede's Mercury Prize nomination
The band's latest album, Antidepressants, has been nominated for the 2026 Mercury Prize, marking their first nomination in 28 years. Suede previously won the prize in 1993 for their self-titled debut and were nominated in 1997 for Coming Up. Reflecting on the nomination, Mat said: 'I think the message of it, the openness of it, and the mix of tension and community' resonated with audiences. Neil added that the 'confessional' elements of the album have struck a chord, noting: 'People really appreciate people being honest.'
Britpop label rejected
Despite being considered part of the 'big four' of Britpop alongside Oasis, Blur, and Pulp, Suede have never embraced the genre label. Mat explained: '[The genre] is something for other people to deal with. It's a useful way to put you in a record bin, but it doesn't really mean anything to us.' The band's music has often found favour in critical circles rather than mainstream awards, with Oasis having been nominated twice for the Mercury Prize but never winning.
Ceremony details
The Mercury Prize ceremony will be held at Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Suede are scheduled to go on tour just two days later, and they jokingly called the ceremony a 'rehearsal' for their gigs. Despite their 50% win rate for previous nominations, Mat and Neil are realistic about their chances, especially with competition including Paul McCartney. 'We're not going to win,' Mat concluded.
Other nominees for the 2026 Mercury Prize include Dave, Florence + the Machine, JADE, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney, RAYE, and War Child Records' HELP(2).
