Oasis Still Rockin’ And Rollin’ With It
By
Stop Crying Your Heart Out
on
October 08, 2008
It’s a measure of the love the Gallagher brothers have for this city that they made sure they kicked off their homecoming tour in Liverpool.
It’s the closest to Manchester they’ll get on this tour, and the crowd was packed with fans from down the M62, jumping around with the Scouse music lovers.
But Oasis have always had strong links to the city. From their early collaborations with the Real People to friendships with Digsy, The Coral, Howard Eliott Payne and their new support band Sixteen Tonnes, the Gallaghers are well-versed in the Scouse music scene.
And the crowd knew it. From the moment the band appeared on stage they were greeted with a joyous reception.
Launching into the superb Rock’n’Roll Star, Liam reminded us all that he is still the consummate rock icon. Dressed in a black leather jacket and skinny black jeans, he swaggered his way through the hour and 40 minute set with finesse.
Ever the angel to his devil, Noel shone in a white jacket and blue jeans, caressing ever-more beautiful sounds from an array of guitars.
As a nod to the band’s latest addition, Wirral drummer Chris Sharrock, they dedicated the second song to him, a rousing rendition of Lyla.
Liam pointed out: “It’s quite fitting that our first gig back should be in Liverpool. Chris is one of your own. But he supports Tranmere, so we’re not sure what to make of that.”
When the opening bars of Cigarettes And Alcohol rang out, it was all the stewards could do to contain the fans.
The standing crowd allowed the arena to show what it can do – with a packed audience it flexed its muscles and showed itself to be the perfect venue for a rock ’n’ roll show.
Among a set dominated by new material – it may be great, it may not, but the album only came out yesterday, so no-one’s going to sing along – the highlights were Slide Away, What’s The Story Morning Glory, Wonderwall and Supersonic.
For the encore, Don’t Look Back In Anger almost tore the roof off the arena, showcasing Noel’s combination of gritty, rough-edged guitar, and that voice that shoots straight from the heart.
They finished off with yet another nod to their love affair with Liverpool – their cover of I Am The Walrus.
Oasis have been away for too long. But if last night is anything to go by, they were worth the wait.
VIEW a photo gallery from Oasis' ECHO Arena gig by ckicking here.
Source: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk