The band’s setlist featured eight original tracks, including the only two that have been released, in ‘X (What You Sayin?)’ and ‘Gorilla Guerilla’, both released in 2023. The performance was the debut of ‘Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous)’, their exclusive vinyl-only single penned with Noel Gallagher, which could only be bought at the shows. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by (@_tommthomas)

Gallagher’s involvement with the track led to speculation that he could play alongside the band, with fans and even an Oasis podcast taking to X to question whether he would show up. In the end, Gallagher didn’t turn up, leaving the lead singer from support act Keyside to fill in on backing vocals on the new track.  

No sign, Liam from Keyside stepped in for Domino Bones. Met Digsy though! — Richard Bowes (@rbmusicwriter) January 20, 2025

The rest of the set was packed with high-energy performances of original songs, with tracks like ‘Put The Boot In (Evil Mother Fucker)’ and ‘Flash Dragons (Beast From The East)’ making their live debut, and possibly hinting at an upcoming album. Either way, Gallagher’s brother, Liam, made his opinion of the band known, saying “[they’re] out there”.  

There out there

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) January 19, 2025

Starkey also took part in a separate show with the Cavern’s own Beatles tribute band. Speaking about the experience of drumming Beatles classics, Starkey said: “We set up two kits and we double drummed the Beatles show. It was amazing because I was shitting it. I’ve never been nervous in my life – I’ve been on stage since I was 12 years old – but it’s holy music.”    

The drummer also used the opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges facing grassroots music venues. With funding for small venues dwindling, Starkey highlighted the disparity between investment in large arenas and the neglect of smaller spaces: “It’s alright spending billions on great big arenas like they have in Manchester, but no one’s looking after little venues… great big arenas are great for big, boring bands but they’re not for upcoming bands.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Crack Magazine (@crackmagazine)

The issue of funding for grassroots venues is currently under review by the UK government, with a voluntary £1 levy to be added to tickets for shows at arenas and large-scale tours. The funds will be distributed by a new charity which will ensure funds will be directed where they are needed most.    

Meanwhile, Ringo Starr has also been busy with new music, recently releasing his album ‘Look Up’, which sees him return to country music after 50 years. Supporting the album, Ringo performed two shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on January 14 and 15, making it a busy week for the Starkey’s.

Ringo Starr joined on stage by Jack White, Billy Strings, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, BRENDA LEE and more at the debut of his new country album, “Look Up” at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville tonight pic.twitter.com/DI4NDxkwVO — Justin Barney (@JBarney) January 15, 2025

Starkey’s comments about grassroots venues underscored how vital they are for acts like Mantra of the Cosmos. In contrast to massive arenas, small stages foster creativity and help artists connect directly with fans, be that through intimate performances or exclusive releases.

Unlike their two previous singles, ‘Gorilla Guerilla’ and ‘X (Wot You Sayin’)’, Domino Bones will not be released digitally. Instead, it will be available exclusively on vinyl and sold only at Liverpool’s iconic Cavern Club. This limited release coincides with the band’s two shows at the venue on January 19.

Mutual admiration seems to have laid the groundwork for the surprise collaboration. Mantra of the Cosmos have posted photos of Gallagher on their Instagram, captioned “Noel of the Cosmos.” Gallagher previously praised the band’s artistry, likening them to “Dylan, Dalí, and Ginsberg on a rocketship to the moon to have it with the Clangers.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mantra Of The Cosmos (@mantraofthecosmos)

Zak Starkey, the group’s leader, shared his excitement at the collaboration: “It’s not every day that the greatest songwriter of my generation – not to mention Shaun, the greatest beat poet of our times – sends a tune to me.” Gallagher heaped even more praise on Ryder, “Noel texted me saying, ‘Do you know what you’ve got? The British Bob Dylan.’”  

The song’s creative process suggests the partnership will be a one-off collaboration. Gallagher sent his recorded vocals for the chorus to Starkey, who then built the track around them. With Gallagher’s commitments to upcoming Oasis dates, any long-term involvement with Mantra of the Cosmos seems unlikely.  

The Cavern Club holds personal significance for Starkey, who wasn’t shy about his family’s connection to the venue: “There’s a great deal of family heritage at the Cavern aside from the Beatles. My parents courted there. Who knows, I may have even been conceived there!”  

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Cavern Club (@cavernliverpool)

This marks Starkey’s first performance at the Cavern Club, a venue that will always be synonymous with his father, Ringo Starr. In fact, Ringo was the first of the four Beatles to play at the Cavern, doing so in July 1957. The original venue was demolished in the 1970s to make way for Merseyrail infrastructure, but rebuilt in the 1980s, preserving much of its original footprint.  

Mantra of the Cosmos has split opinions. While one X user described their music as “like walking into a northern pub at 4am which smells horrible with several men half asleep lying on the sticky floor singing madchester tracks but totally out of tune,” Gallagher included ‘Gorilla Guerilla’ in his ‘Summer 2023 Playlist’ on Spotify. 

mantra of the cosmos songs are like walking into a northern pub at 4am which smells horrible with several men half asleep lying on the sticky floor singing madchester tracks but totally out of tune

— carol (@magicalspring) January 8, 2025

The choice to release ‘Domino Bones’ exclusively on vinyl aligns with buying habits in the UK. Vinyl sales in 2024 hit almost £200 million, making it the most premium format despite being outsold by CDs in volume. Fans are happier to buy quality over quantity, especially when it comes to exclusive releases. Limiting sales to the Cavern ensures the track reaches die-hard fans.
Whether ‘Domino Bones’ signals the end of the band’s erratic journey or the start of a prolific year remains to be seen. For now, fans can look forward to seeing the group—and Gallagher’s contribution—in the intimate, historic setting of the Cavern Club. Tickets for the event have sold out, however fans can join the waiting list here.

Callum McMorran, a resident musician at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, was playing at the iconic venue when he realized he was playing ‘Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)’ in front of the song’s creator.

Footage posted by Callum shows himself covering the heartfelt ballad with the California punk rocker watching on in the audience. “Cool moment tonight”, he calmly wrote on his Instagram after the show. As well as being a resident musician at the historic music spot, he also appeared on The Voice UK in 2015.

The Cavern Club itself has a rich musical background. Famously known as a centre for rock and roll in the 50’s and 60’s, which regularly played host to The Beatle’s during their early career. The Fab Four performed at the Liverpudlian local almost 300 times between 1961 and 1963, during which they became the most successful band in England.  

It’s not the first time Billie Joe has been seen hanging out in the UK recently – while recording the fourteenth Green Day album, ‘Saviors’, at RAK Studios in London, he spent some recreational time in the city, watching football matches from teams like Arsenal, Fulham and Millwall to immerse himself in British culture. He was also spotted recently at a Wrexham FC game with actor Channing Tatum.  

Green Day frontman @billiejoe soaking up the #WxmAFC atmosphere at The Turf fanzone pic.twitter.com/slrbLr6CJm — Fearless In Devotion | WREXHAM AFC podcast (@fearlessidzine) December 14, 2024

Interviewed by the Guardian, he said “I went to a lot of football games: Arsenal, Leyton Orient, Fulham. I went to The Den to see Millwall. That was amazing.”

Speaking of the vibrancy of the UK sporting events, he said “Man, if you really want to experience British culture that’s what you should do. Football is like a … religion. It’s like being at a big rock concert. You practically need earplugs! I’ve always wanted to check out all the different divisions, not just the world-class teams like Arsenal and Man City.

After releasing their Grammy-nominated Saviors record in January 2024, Green Day toured the UK, celebrating 30^th anniversary of ‘Dookie‘, and the 20^th anniversary of ‘American Idiot‘, playing both albums in their entirety. Packed shows at Old Trafford and Wembley were well received.

The punk superstars are set to headline next year’s Download festival, alongside Sleep Token and Korn. Other acts at the festival include The Darkness, Jimmy Eat World, Bullet For My Valentine and surprisingly, pop-rockers McFly. The festival will take place at Donington Park, Leicestershire, between 13 and 15 June. You can find tickets here.

The club is preparing to open at 30% capacity. This follows the government’s guidance on the re-opening of music venues on the 15th August, provided they adhere to social distance policy.

The city’s mayor Joe Anderson claimed that ‘the fact that the world-famous Cavern could close forever‘ should ‘bring home to the Government how much our hugely treasured music industry is in peril’, due to the current pandemic.

The Cavern Club’s reputation as a legendary venue materialised following the success of a local band, who would perform at the club regularly. The band, named The Beatles, developed into the the most influential group in musical history.

View this post on Instagram

We are back open this weekend in The Cavern Pub and our Restaurant! The Cavern Club will be open for 3 free tours every day for those who dine in our restaurant and fill in their track and trace details. Book a table in our restaurant today – www.cavernclub.com

A post shared by The Cavern Club (@cavernliverpool) on Aug 14, 2020 at 7:38am PDT

The mayor continued, in an article for the local Liverpool Echo, that ‘the prospect of losing a national jewel like The Cavern is a horrible scenario for all concerned, be they Beatles fans, music lovers and above all those whose livelihoods depend on it‘.

Bill Heckle, the clubs director, has warned that the Government must ‘expedite this issue with the utmost urgency‘ to ensure that ‘when lockdown is over our music venues and cultural way of life is there for us to return to and enjoy. again‘.

The prospect at losing the Cavern Club is beyond comprehension for music fans. The intimate venue is synonymous with British music, and to lose it would strip the nation of a shining cultural jewel.