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Band seeks cover versions in sheet music giveaway
Arts Council scheme to inspire new artists

More unkind critics might suggest it will result in their most radical musical leap in years, while for others it will be final proof of the extent to which they have inspired a generation of new artists.

Unused as they may be to furthering arts policy aims, Oasis have teamed up with the Arts Council and the NME to encourage aspiring young musicians to pick up instruments.

Instead of giving away downloads to promote an upcoming album, as Coldplay and the Streets have done, or giving away a whole album to increase ticket sales, as Prince did, Oasis will give away a DVD and book featuring the sheet music and lyrics to three new songs with music weekly NME. The idea is aimed at promoting the Arts Council's Take It Away scheme, which provides interest free loans for musical instruments.

Readers will be asked to reinterpret Bag It Up, The Turning and (Get Off Your) High Horse Lady from the group's seventh studio album, Dig Out Your Soul, which is released next month, without having heard them first. Guitarist Noel Gallagher, who has argued that giving music away for nothing devalues it, said: "The gift of music is very special ... and anything that can bring music into a kid's life is an incredible thing."

Aspiring young musicians will be asked to submit their own versions to a special website, with the winning entry able to travel to an Oasis gig anywhere in the world. In just over a year the Arts Council scheme has delivered £6m worth of loans to more than 10,000 people. Mary-Alice Stack, manager of Take It Away, said it was "a way of inspiring individuals to develop their musical talents and interests".

Oasis recently embarked on a new world tour to promote the album, the first leg of which was disrupted on Sunday night when Noel Gallagher was attacked by a man who invaded the stage midway through their headlining set at the V festival in Toronto. The assailant was wrestled to the floor by security. The band left the stage before later returning to finish their set. The unnamed assailant was arrested.

NME editor Conor McNicholas said Oasis had been successful in constantly refreshing their fanbase in the 14 years since they released their debut album: "Oasis remain a touchstone. Their songs are timeless." He said a combination of new technology and groups like the Libertines who had broken down the barrier between band and fans had increased the proportion of NME's readership who played as well as listened to music.

Emma Greengrass, of Oasis's label imprint Big Brother Recordings, said that as soon as the band's new single, The Shock of the Lightning, was premiered on the radio fans began uploading their own renditions of the song on YouTube.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with. I hope that there are some quieter versions and some interesting variations," she said. The DVD will be given away free with next week's issue of the NME, which has expanded to become a multimedia brand with its own radio station and TV channel.

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

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