Another Oasis Exhibition Opens In Manchester

Missed Chasing the Sun at Old Granada Studios? Fans now have another chance to see photographer Jill Furmanovsky's work with the Manchester band.

A new Oasis exhibition opens in Manchester tomorrow, following on from last month’s Chasing the Sun retrospective at Old Granada Studios.


Acclaimed music photographer Jill Furmanovsky, who spent years on the road with the band and whose work featured in the band’s official exhibition in October , will be showcasing more of her pictures at the city’s Central Library.

Her show, DNA Oasis, includes striking portraits of the Gallagher brothers as well as early live images and candid behind-the-scenes shots - some of which have never been on show before.

“Noel and Liam were OK with being photographed, but they had short attention spans”, said Jill.

“They didn’t want to hang around for hours, which suited me as a photo-journalist. I work quickly. Maybe that’s why they liked me.

“I look at some of the photos now and remember what moods they were really in - but somehow, I usually managed to persuade them to pose for me.

“I had the sense that Noel thought it was important to document everything that was going on at that time – it was all happening so incredibly fast.”

Jill, who made her name in the 70s and 80s shooting legends including Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley, took her first pictures of Oasis at a gig in Cambridge in 1994, the year Definitely Maybe was released.

She went on to become their unofficial tour photographer, charting their rise to career-defining shows such as Maine Road, Knebworth and beyond, right up until their split in 2009.

“Oasis had been signed the year before”, Jill said. “At the time, I was putting together a book of my work, The Moment, which started with an image of Paul McCartney from his time with The Beatles. I wanted an up-and-coming group to bookend the collection and they seemed to fit.

“Once I’d photographed them, I thought that was the end of my rock-and-roll years. But then Noel asked me to go on tour with them - and I was still working with them years later.”

The exhibition has already been paid a visit by The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, who is pictured in the studio with Oasis in one of Jill’s photographs.

“I have many images of other great Manchester artists, including Morrissey and The Buzzcocks - so I would love to come back to Central Library in future with a DNA Manchester exhibition”, she added.

DNA Oasis opens tomorrow, November 2, and runs until January 28, 2017, in the library’s first floor exhibition hall. Entry is free.

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Happy Birthday Zak Starkey...

Zak Starkey, (born 13 September 1965) 51 today is an English drummer, well-known as the first child of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) and his first wife Maureen Cox. Starkey is mostly noted for his unofficial membership in The Who, since 1994.

Starkey is the fourth drummer for the rock band The Who, playing with them live and occasionally in the studio. He is also known as being the third drummer for the English rock band Oasis. Starkey has also worked on session and touring basis with artists including: Johnny Marr, Paul Weller, The Icicle Works, the Waterboys, ASAP and the Lightning Seeds.

Noel Gallagher's Latest Instagram Post

Brixton?..Blimey What a night!!!good job that was the last gig of the tour 'cause we couldn't top it. Big up to Johhny and P:Dubz. Thanks to everyone who came out to see us over the last 2 yrs..it's been a blast. What a wonderful way to close this chapter. See you somewhere down the road. ONWARDS. NG.

A photo posted by Noel Gallagher (@themightyi) on Sep 7, 2016 at 11:23pm PDT

Setlist: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds In London

Below is the setlist from Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds at the 02 Academy in London, England.

Everybody's on the Run
Lock All the Doors
In the Heat of the Moment
Riverman
The Death of You and Me
You Know We Can't Go Back
Champagne Supernova (with Johnny Marr)
Ballad of the Mighty I (with Johnny Marr)
Talk Tonight
D'Yer Wanna Be a Spaceman?
the Mexican
If I Had a Gun...
AKA... What a Life!
Half the World Away
The Masterplan
Pretty Green (with Paul Weller)
Town Called Malice (with Paul Weller)
Wonderwall
Don't Look Back in Anger

Source: Setlist.fm

Video: Noel Gallagher Joined By Paul Weller And Johnny Marr In London

Noel Gallagher was joined by Johnny Marr and Paul Weller on stage at Brixton O2 Academy last night (September 6).

Marr joined the show seven songs in to play guitar on Oasis’ 1995 classic ‘Champagne Supernova’ before the pair performed ‘Ballad Of The Mighty I’, the track Marr guests on for the second Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds album ‘Chasing Yesterday’.

Weller, introduced as “my neighbour” by Gallagher, came on during the encore to play two songs by his old band The Jam, ‘Pretty Green’ and ‘Town Called Malice’.

The show marked the end of the tour for ‘Chasing Yesterday’ and was the first time Gallagher had ever played at the celebrated London venue during his 22-year career.



 Source: www.nme.com

Liam Gallagher On Beady Eye, Noel, Johhny Marr And More

Liam Gallagher has spoken to the current issue of Q about his brother Noel being disappointed when Beady Eye split up.

The singer said "Was he? I'm sure he was. I was more disappointed Oasis split up. I wonder if he was. I've never heard him say he was disappointed about Oasis, No, he's got what he wanted."

When asked What was that? Was it to be a frontman? Liam said "Without a doubt, without a doubt. Jealous, every f*cking soundcheck he'd go stand in the middle and sing. The geezer's got small man syndrome. He never had the nerve back in the day, so he joined my band and slowly wormed his way to the front, got his balls together. Same as Johnny Marr. Get yourselves over to the other side, play your guitars, play it with yer teeth, because there's no place for you over here. You know when your kid puts on make-up on and tries to look grown-up for a laugh? it's like that. They're playing at being frontmen. Get back over there. They look stupid.

"He's a great guitarist, our kid. He looks like Steve Jones when he's over there on that side. Be happy over there. But out front he looks like Don McClean. If he thinks he's Lee Mavers he needs to have another look at himself because Lee Mavers is dark and mysterious and you don't know what's going to happen with Lee Mavers. You know what's going to happen with Noel. His fucking sleeves, rolled up. It's like Dermot O'leary with a guitar. Fuck Off. He needs to fuck back over his side of the stage and strike a pose".

 Get your copy for the full interview in print or on digital  on sale now.

Watch Noel Gallagher's Interview With Chris Moyles

Noel Gallagher's Half The World Away might be everywhere at the moment thanks to the John Lewis Christmas ad , but the former Oasis star says he's quite happy to "ram it down people's throats"... maybe at least until it charts anyway.

Speaking to Chris Moyles at the Radio X Road Trip, who asked if he'd be playing the track, he replied: "I'd say as it's getting caned in the charts, I might even play it twice!"

He added: "As I might have a passing interest in it, I might ram it down people's throats until January 1st, and then you might never hear it again."

Noel and his High Flying Birds delighted fans on the Radio X Road Trip with Chris Moyles together with O2.

Playing songs from his eponymous debut and this year's No. 1 Chasing Yesterday album the star treated his fans to an intimate set at the O2 Apollo Manchester on Wednesday 2 December.

As well as playing solo hits in Everybody's On The Run and In The Heat Of The Moment, Gallagher treated fans to a selection of Oasis favourites, including Champagne Supernova, The Masterplan, Don't Look Back In Anger and Definitely Maybe track Digsy's Dinner.

Speaking to Chris Moyles before the show, Noel said of the legendary Manchester venue: "I saw my very first gig here: The Damned in 1979. I saw my second gig here: Stiff Little Fingers. And I saw my fifth gig here, which was U2.

"I used to work in a pet shop over the road. I'm not joking. Tahiti Aquariums, it was called. I used to mend fishtanks."

True to his word, the Ballad Of The Mighty I singer then sang a moving performance of Half The World Away- much to the delight of the crowd.

Noel had support from collaborator, friend and fellow Mancunian Johnny Marr, who treated the crowd to an energetic set, with a sprinkling of The Smiths hits, including Panic, How Soon Is Now and There is A Light That Never Goes Out.

Mr Gallagher continued: "I've never had a bad gig in Manchester. Apart from those three years where we went unnoticed."

Also on the bill were young Scottish band Neon Waltz and Pretty Vicious from Wales.

Click here to watch the interview.

Source: radiox.co.uk

Noel Gallagher On The John Lewis Christmas Advert And More

Noel Gallagher tells Chris Moyles why he's enjoying performing his classic Oasis track more than ever.

Noel Gallagher's Half The World Away might be everywhere at the moment thanks to the John Lewis Christmas ad , but the former Oasis star says he's quite happy to "ram it down people's throats"... maybe at least until it charts anyway.

Speaking to Chris Moyles at the Radio X Road Trip, who asked if he'd be playing the track, he replied: "I'd say as it's getting caned in the charts, I might even play it twice!"

He added: "As I might have a passing interest in it, I might ram it down people's throats until January 1st, and then you might never hear it again."

Noel and his High Flying Birds delighted fans on the Radio X Road Trip with Chris Moyles together with O2.

Playing songs from his eponymous debut and this year's No. 1 Chasing Yesterday album the star treated his fans to an intimate set at the O2 Apollo Manchester on Wednesday 2 December.

As well as playing solo hits in Everybody's On The Run and In The Heat Of The Moment, Gallagher treated fans to a selection of Oasis favourites, including Champagne Supernova, The Masterplan, Don't Look Back In Anger and Definitely Maybe track Digsy's Dinner.

Speaking to Chris Moyles before the show, Noel said of the legendary Manchester venue: "I saw my very first gig here: The Damned in 1979. I saw my second gig here: Stiff Little Fingers. And I saw my fifth gig here, which was U2.

"I used to work in a pet shop over the road. I'm not joking. Tahiti Aquariums, it was called. I used to mend fishtanks."

True to his word, the Ballad Of The Mighty I singer then sang a moving performance of Half The World Away- much to the delight of the crowd.

Noel had support from collaborator, friend and fellow Mancunian Johnny Marr, who treated the crowd to an energetic set, with a sprinkling of The Smiths hits, including Panic, How Soon Is Now and There is A Light That Never Goes Out.

Mr Gallagher continued: "I've never had a bad gig in Manchester. Apart from those three years where we went unnoticed."

Also on the bill were young Scottish band Neon Waltz and Pretty Vicious from Wales.

Listen to the interview in full by clicking here.

Source: www.radiox.co.uk

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Land In Manchester

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will play at the Radio X Road Trip in Manchester, UK later today (December 2nd).

With special guests Johnny Marr, Neon Waltz + Pretty Vicious.

If you are going to the show, and you are able to scan your ticket or send in pictures email them to us @ scyhodotcom@gmail.com.

You can also tweet us pictures and updates @scyhodotcom or via our Facebook page here.

Happy Birthday Zak Starkey

Zak Starkey, (born 13 September 1965) 50 today is an English drummer, well-known as the first child of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) and his first wife Maureen Cox. Starkey is mostly noted for his unofficial membership in The Who, since 1994.

Starkey is the fourth drummer for the rock band The Who, playing with them live and occasionally in the studio. He is also known as being the third drummer for the English rock band Oasis. Starkey has also worked on session and touring basis with artists including: Johnny Marr, Paul Weller, The Icicle Works, the Waterboys, ASAP and the Lightning Seeds.

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here.

Review: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds At The Orpheum Theatre

On Wednesday night, a guy in the Orpheum Theatre audience yelled out, “Where’s Liam?”

After the question was greeted with loud boos, Noel Gallagher, the former Oasis
guitarist/singer/songwriter playfully asked from the stage, “Who’s Ian?” and then said, “I’m not your brother” (referring to the band once led by his sibling Liam).

Before the haunting mid-tempo rocker “In the Heat of the Moment,” Gallagher turned sardonic: “The last time I was in this building was to see Marilyn Manson with my brother – quite an (expletive) evening, as you can imagine. This is my least favorite song off the new album.”

It may be his least favorite, but that doesn’t hold true for fans in his native England, where the song narrowly missed topping the indie singles chart.

“Heat of the Moment” is the second track on Gallagher’s second album, “Chasing Yesterday.”

Released earlier this year, the album debuted at No. 1 in the U.K. Sonically adventurous, the collection strikes a compelling balance between majestic rock and psychedelia, with more prodigious brass accents and guest guitar work by Johnny Marr.

Back in the mid-1990s, when Oasis had a prosperous run and battled Blur for the so-called Britpop crown, Noel Gallagher routinely made headlines abroad for his frequently provocative opinions. The same holds true decades later. Recent quotes about Ed Sheeran’s success, the shifting of One Direction and the possibility of an Oasis reunion have all made the music and tabloid press.
Performing a sold out show in Los Angeles with High Flying Birds, Gallagher delivered an invigorating 90-minute set that was split between tracks from his solo albums and a handful of Oasis cuts.

The Mancunian musician and his four-piece group (plus a three-man horn section) took the stage to a mellow remix of “If I Had a Gun.”

They launched the 20-song set in raucous fashion with “Do the Damage,” a sax-driven Stooges-meets-Sonics rave-up originally earmarked for “Chasing Yesterday.” The dramatic “Everybody’s on the Run,” containing a swelling keyboard crescendo by the Birds’ secret weapon, Mikey Rowe, was mesmerizing. He proved his mettle again on the rollicking “AKA … What a Life.”

Images of old family photos flashed on the backdrop for Oasis B-side “Fade Away.” Gallagher, playing acoustic guitar, recast the 1994 original’s raucousness into slower folk/rock territory and it worked well.

Lead guitarist Tim Smith unleashed some feedback and then the band locked into a maelstrom of careening sounds during “Lock All the Doors” that packed quite a wallop. The same held true for the catchy stomper “You Know We Can’t Go Back.”

A more subdued, reworked version of Oasis hit “Champagne Supernova” prompted fans to clap along. Gallagher gently admonished them, “Don’t! My kids always do that.” It was still electrifying as people hoisted beers in the air, several males sang along loudly, arm in arm, like they were at a soccer match and others took the chorus to heart by lighting up.

Elsewhere, the ominous and danceable standout “Ballad of the Mighty I” saw Gallagher dominate with a rare guitar solo. Like other tracks that run past the five-minute mark on his albums, it never became tiresome live.

Sinewy ’70s-styled groove rocker “The Mexican” really gave the horns a chance to shine, as did a ruminative “The Masterplan.”

More excellent Oasis nuggets included the quick, blaring “Digsy’s Dinner” (Noel handled Liam’s sneering original vocal just fine) and soaring finale “Don’t Look Back in Anger.”
Source: www.ocregister.com

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here.

Noel Gallagher On 'Chasing Yesterday', Guitars, Oasis, Johnny Marr And More

Click here to read an interview with Noel Gallagher who talks about his new album, Guitars, Oasis, Johnny Marr and more.

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here

Noel Gallagher On The Perfect Guitar Solo, Chasing Yesterday, Oasis, Johnny Marr And More

Esteemed rock critic John Doran meets Noel Gallagher, in the first episode of the second season of Noisey's The British Masters, a series where John interviews the most influential and colourful figures from British popular music history.

Noel rose to unshakeable prominence with Oasis - one of the biggest rock groups the world has ever produced. With his band The High Flying Birds, he has just released a stellar second album "Chasing Yesterday" - which is well on its way to becoming his ninth consecutive platinum selling LP.

Part two of this interview will be available next week.



Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here

Noel Gallagher on Johnny Marr, Les Pauls, Songwriters vs Bands And More

Click here to read an interview with Noel Gallagher who talks about Johnny Marr, Les Pauls, Songwriters vs Bands and more.

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here.

Noel Gallagher Chooses His Favourite Smiths Songs

In an online chat with fans, the former Oasis guitarist and songwriter talked about another bunch of Manchester greats, The Smiths, and which of their tunes he loves the most.

Ever wondered which songs top Noel Gallagher’s Smiths playlist?

In an online chat with fans, Noel named There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, The Queen Is Dead, Rusholme Ruffians, These Things Take Time, Rubber Ring and Asleep as the best songs that Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce wrote during their short five year career.

“Amongst others,” quipped Noel, who has recently welcomed Johnny Marr on stage with him at some of his solo shows, at the end of the list.

The Smiths, who released four albums between 1984 and 1987 and had more than a dozen hit singles including Panic, How Soon Is Now? and This Charming Man, often top reader polls as the Manchester band most people would like to see reform - alongside Gallagher’s own Oasis.

In the same chat, on website Reddit, Noel also confessed a guilty admiration for 1980s pop band Tears For Fears and said he’d love a chance to duet with Pink Floyd’s Dave Gillmore, Yardbird’s guitarist Jeff Beck and Davie Bowie.

“If he (Bowie) would even shake a maraca for one tune, that’d be great,” he said about the 1970s superstar.

On classical music, Noel expressed an admiration for celebrated conductor Ennio Morricone - famous for his soundtracks to films such as A Fistful of Dollars, Once Upon A Time In The West, The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.

“I’ve seen ’im twice in the last five years,” Noel said. “And his music does bring a tear to my eye. I think he’s a genius.

“Like me.”

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here.

Johnny Marr And Paul Weller Claim Noel Gallagher Is A British Institution

Johnny Marr and Paul Weller have hailed Noel Gallagher and declared that "he doesn’t need to reform Oasis".

The guitar legends, who have both worked with Gallagher, claim his current live set up and recent Number One album 'Chasing Yesterday' is some of his best work ever.

"I couldn't give a fuck if Oasis got back together again because I like what he does now," Weller told NME, just weeks after Gallagher said the former Jam man would put his "fucking windows in" if that happened.

Weller added: "He gets better and better I think. His new album is wicked."

Marr added: "When I played with him recently [Marr joined Gallagher onstage at Manchester Arena last month], it's interesting because he's filled up this arena and he's managed to do it by inventing a new kind of Noel music which does what you want from it. He still does big melodies, big choruses and places really amazing feeling in there. But it's a new kind of thing he's doing."

The pair also said Gallagher has become an institution in British guitar music over the last 21 years.

Marr added: "He's a songwriter, he's been around and been so well known for years, he's a bit of a, what's the term?"

Weller: "Wanker?"

"Ha, no, national treasure," laughed Marr. "He's just somebody you've got something in common with. When you love music and love playing music that much and when you meet someone else who does that, it cuts through a lot of the bullshit really, and he's always been the same.

He added: "Like myself and Paul he's someone that won't go away whether he's successful or not because it's what he does. He's a lifer. Everyone knows that about him. He's serious about what he does."

Weller also revealed that he is planning on finishing a new track with Gallagher when the pair get chance.

"The biggest problem I think is keeping him in the studio long enough," he added.

He continued: "We were trying to write a song for my new album but he was only there for a few hours. He seemed to want to get away before five o'clock. We had the makings of a track but we just need to sit down and finish it."

Marr and Weller recently discussed the possibility of working together on new music, following their recent onstage team-up in London, saying it's something they "definitely" hope to do.

Source: www.nme.com

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here.

Noel Gallagher's: Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere Vol 3: The Good, The Bad And The Bubbly (Part 3)

Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere Vol 3: The Good, The Bad And The Bubbly:

So... Woke up in Manchester and it was....raining! I used to get really annoyed when I lived there that people would always say "It rains all the time in Manchester". It doesn't rain "ALL the time, it only rains when YOU visit"... would be my standard retort. But I have to say the last 10 times I've been home it's pissed down!!!

Got bored sitting in the hotel so got down to the "Wotsit Called This Year?" Arena early and got bored there instead. As you'll know if you turn up to any of my gigs around soundcheck time, I do try my best to come out and sign stuff for fans and all that... A girl said to me "Can I get a picture?"...

"Just take it." I says...

"Can you take your shades off?" She says...

"I haven't got any on!" I says...

She looked all confused and sad. I didn't actually have any shades on. She would later tell me how much she enjoyed the visuals in the show!?!?!

I do let a few people in to watch the soundcheck from time to time... Why anyone would want to come and watch some fellas going through some slightly half hearted versions of that night's songs is beyond me, but each to their own I guess.

We had to cut this particular one short and kick everyone out as Johnny Marr was to get up with us that night to perform "The Mighty I". I didn't want to spoil the surprise for everyone by having some trigger happy social media kid putting it out there. So if you were one of the few that got booted out...sorry 'bout that (I'm not really).

The dressing room was full to capacity before show time. Seriously, I've had less lively after shows!! Which brings me to the show itself...what a fucking buzz... It was/you were immense. Like a football match in the 80's. Fighting, chanting, beer slinging...and that was just the girls!!

It was a true honour to be able to relay the FA Cup QF news to both righteous MCFC fans and the other mob as it happened. I'm not sure what I enjoyed more...the gig or the look on the other lots faces as it dawned on them that for a second season they'll be winning precisely FUCK ALL!!

When Johnny appeared the roar was unbelievable. He very nearly brought the house down!

A special moment for everyone. The way we do "The Mighty I" is great, it sounds like the record. But when we did it with Johnny it sounded EXACTLY like the record.

Manchester you were the bollocks. I couldn't split the gigs between you and Glasgow and that's the highest compliment I can pay any set of fans. Very special...if Carlsberg did Monday's and all that!

Which brings me to Tuesday...London. The 02...on a Tuesday...in London. It was probably great...it usually is. But coming after Glasgow/Manchester I'm afraid a Tuesday night in London isn't gonna cut it somehow. There's not much more to say about it really. HIT THE NORTH!!!!!

I'm off to Paris. Before I leave let me say this... This part of my tour has exceeded all expectations. You have been colossal. My/our/your new album sits proudly at number 1, probably only for one week admittedly, but never the less, there it is.

Thanks for all your support. Until the summer...keep it livid!

ONWARDS.

PS:Today I will be mostly listening to The End Of The Night by The Greenhornes.

Get the fuck on it!!

Source: www.noelgallagher.com

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here

Yet Another Review: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds In Manchester

More than three years after gracing a Manchester stage, Noel Gallagher was back with a bang on Monday night with his band High Flying Birds.

The previous venue of the O2 Apollo was scaled up to the Manchester Arena where thousands of fans packed in for the highly-anticipated home-coming.

And he did not let the crowd down as he ripped through a one hour and 40 minute set crammed with songs from the band's debut self-titled album and their latest offering Chasing Yesterday, topped off with a sprinkling of Oasis tracks.

Some might say Noel is the brains to brother Liam's brawn and his writing skills were showcased in all their sing-along glory, from Oasis classic Champagne Supernova to The Dying of the Light.

Die hard Manchester City fan Noel seemed happy to be back on home turf and made occasional chat with the crowd, joking that Manchester United were getting beat 4-1 by Arsenal in that night's FA Cup quarter final before gleefully revealing Danny Welbeck had scored to send the Gunners through.

He also made a jibe at his former band — which split in 2009 — and appeared to try and calm a situation by quipping to a group apparently fighting at the front: "Where do you think you are, an Oasis gig?"

NGHFB's tracks such as Everybody's on the Run, Riverman and AKA... What a Life! got a great response from the crowd and there was an extra treat when The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr joined Noel and co on stage.

They performed Ballad Of The Mighty I together during the encore, as Marr plays guitar on the album version.

The first time the pair have performed the track together in public, it was sandwiched between Oasis tracks Don't Look Back in Anger and The Masterplan — the perfect end.

Chuck in a fistful of electric guitar solos, Oasis tracks Digsy's Dinner and Fade Away and Noel's Gallagher swagger and you have all the ingredients to leave fans feeling 'mad fer it'.

Source: www.theboltonnews.co.uk

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here

Yet Another Review: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds In Manchester

You can always tell when a Noel Gallagher record is doing the rounds.

NME’s website is chock-full of ‘stories’ hung on individual quotes from an interview done weeks ago, comment sections are brimming with “hasn’t released anything good since ‘What’s The Story’” and one of music’s fiercest tongues is busy lashing anybody within hearing distance.

Somewhere in the middle of it all tends to lie a bit of music the chart topping “Chasing Yesterday” in this case; backed by a tour a sell out arena one in this case.

I watched one of Noel’s first solo gigs, back in 2011 at the Apollo. The awkwardness was tangible. Content for almost two decades to orchestrate proceedings from the wings while his brother’s ego bathed in the adulation, he was thrust into the spotlight, asked to play the unfamiliar role of frontman. On Monday night at Manchester Arena, he showed it is a role he is becoming increasingly familiar with minus tambourines on heads.

A master of the B-side, “Do The Damage” is given the job of opener backed up by “(Stranded On) The Wrong Beach” and “Everybody’s On The Run” the latter eliciting the kind of mass sing-along you’d expect from an Oasis gig.

Indeed, Oasis classic “Fade Away” does get the same treatment and some, the entire arena matching Noel word for word (everybody that is except the young couple next to me who judging from their expressions throughout must be huge Liam fans). The guy even nipped out during “Champagne Supernova”. Topless barmaids giving out free beer wouldn’t have had me budging from my spot at that point...at least not until after the solo.

The 20-song setlist is split evenly between Noel’s solo records and Oasis, “In The Heat Of The Moment” the first track from his latest record to get an airing, and one that live really jumps up a notch. It’s quickly followed by the thundering Definitely Maybe-era cast off “Lock All The Doors” and “Riverman”.

As news of Man United’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal filtered through, a gleeful Noel dedicated “Dream On” to the United squad, following it up with the excellent “The Dying of the Light”.

“If I had a Gun” comes sandwiched in between “Digsy’s Dinner” and “AKA What A Life”, proof that even nearly two decades on, Gallagher can still pen a belting stomper.

If the chorus of encore curtain raiser “Don’t Look Back In Anger” doesn’t have every single one of your hairs stood on end you’ve either got no hair or you’re deaf.

And so “how do you top that?” asks Noel. Johnny Marr, that’s how. The former Smiths guitarist brought out to lend a live hand on his and Noel’s “Ballad Of The Mighty I” collaboration.

How do you top that? Not sure you can but “The Masterplan” comes pretty darn close.

Should Oasis reform? God yes. Should it be before another Noel Gallagher record? Definitely not.

Source: www.burnleyexpress.net

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here.

Review: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds In Manchester

Many fans will no doubt single out Johnny Marr's appearance on stage alongside Noel Gallagher as the highlight of their night at Manchester arena.

But for anyone who has followed the careers of Oasis - and subsequently Noel - there can be few better live music spectacles than The Masterplan being performed to a hometown crowd.

The title track to an album of B sides good enough to rival anything Oasis or either of the Gallagher brothers have ever released was what the girl stood next to me in the beer queue was looking forward to most.

Privately, I was too. And it didn't disappoint.

I know it is terribly bad form to start a review with the last song of the encore but it was without doubt the highlight, particularly the electric guitar solo in the middle of it.

And therein lies part of the problem for Noel. He has created such a rod for his own back with his back catalogue, it is hard for anything to top it.

But he certainly gives it a good go and a packed Manchester Arena suggested his popularity is far from fading.

Much of the build up was dominated by rumours brother Liam was set to attend the gig and, judging by the amount of pretty green (Liam's fashion label) clobber on show, it seemed many fans had believed the hype. But it turned out to be just that.

When Noel and his High Flying Birds entered the stage, they kicked things off with (Stranded on) the Wrong Beach, from their self-named first album.

I have to begrudgingly admit, it was a little tame.

That was followed by everybody's on the run, a single from the same record.

It took the first Oasis song to really get us going and that was B-side Fade Away. In the background, slides of someone's childhood played as the lyrics 'while we're living, the dreams we had as children fade away' we're sung by Noel and the crowd.

It would be nice to believe they were his, but it didn't seem likely.

Our first taste of new album Chasing Yesterday came in the form of In The Heat of the Moment but it wasn't until songs later we heard the one I had been eagerly awaiting - Riverman.

If you'd closed your eyes during the intro, you'd have been forgiven for thinking Wonderwall was about to be unleashed.

But the true identity of the Weller-esque track was soon revealed and you got the feeling Noel knew it was his best work of late, with his face scrunching as he sang the words "find me the girl who electrifies the storm".

Along the way, we heard The Death of You and Me, from album one, and The Mexican, from NGHFB's latest offering.

The latter when performed live - as it does on the album itself - illustrated Noel's definite lurch away from Oasis towards his own, individual sound

And would we ever have seen Noel doing a 360 spin during a song without his brother looking on and taking the proverbial? Well, we did last night.

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here.