Oasis Play Sunderland - Pictures And Review

My first ever gig was one of Oasis's two concerts in Loch Lomond.

It was a warm-up for the Knebworth dates in August 1996.

Around a year later, I was at Newcastle Arena to see them again.

So, last night, I was apprehensive a poor performance might ruin those memories.

Yesterday morning I dug out the fanzine review I wrote of that first concert as a 14-year-old and it is littered with references to banter with the crowd.

Last night that was kept to a minimum but included a shout-out to people from Durham, perhaps linked to guitarist Gem Archer's roots in the city.

And while they may have lacked that same charm and rapport of those early years, I'm glad to say their Sunderland show did not sully those past experiences.

The support acts for Liam, Noel and Co included Reverend and the Makers, The Enemy and Kasabian.

And they all did a fine job of getting the audience in the mood, before one of the world's biggest bands took to the stage.

The Enemy proved a big hit with the packed stadium, playing most of the tracks from their first album as well as a couple of their latest album.

Kasabian were very well received, whipping the crowd into a frenzy until a technical hitch during Underdog forced the band off stage for about 10 minutes.

They were greeted with rapturous applause when they returned to finish their set.

The sound quality improved as the night wore on, and was perfect by the time Oasis took to the stage.

For a fleeting minute or so, as Liam arched his way towards the microphone and sung the opening lines of Wonderwall, it was like being transported back to being a teenager.

The band's newest material is perhaps now the music of another generation, but for many, including me, last night would have been a welcome reminder of good times.

And while many of their newer tracks, including Lyla, Hindu Times and Songbird, got a warm reception, it was the earlier hits which got the stadium jumping.

Kicking off with Rock'n'Roll Star, there were plenty more classics throughout, from Cigarettes and Alcohol, Slide Away, (What's the Story) Morning Glory, Live Forever to Champagne Supernova.

Some may call their approach going through the motions, others would call it professionalism and perfection after more than 18 years in the business – however, last night further confirmed there is no denying Oasis deserve their place in music's hall of fame.

However, the event itself did not go ahead without its problems.

Trouble brewed at the gates around 6pm as people tried to get into the venue, some very much worse for wear after making a day of it in the bars and pubs. And we came up against a few issues with stewards unable to direct us because they did not know the venue themselves.

The behaviour of the group of lads next to us was appalling, even for a rock gig, and we also chose to stand in the rain for almost an hour waiting for a taxi than face joining the thousands to queue for the Metro.

But as Oasis had announced "So that's the end of that, then" before playing the final track I Am The Walrus, it really did feel like the final moments of something great.

After a week of a real buzz around Take That's dates on Friday and Saturday and build-up to Oasis' appearance last night, it seems sad not to have more to follow.

But without a doubt, Wearside and the Stadium of Light have been put on the map as somewhere to take notice of – for plenty of good reasons.

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Source: www.sunderlandecho.com

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.