Band Are Keane On Oasis Feud

Just when I thought Keane were going to bury the hatchet with Oasis, the trio sent their so-called get well wishes to Noel Gallagher.

Talking on Capital radio about Bizarre Lord Noel being clobbered by a fan in Canada, drummer Richard Hughes said, with his tongue rammed into his cheek: “Get well soon, Noel. I heard he’s been suffering since he was ‘attacked’ and I understand he has properly injured his ribs.

“Sounds like he was quite lucky not to get thrown off the stage.”

Here’s what Liam, at The Lowry in Manchester thinks of Keane’s “gesture”.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk
Photo Credit Eamonn And James Clark

Monkey and Beatles

In the pre-Winehouse era, the British exported their music, not their dirty laundry, which is why it's possible for Americans to recall the mid-'90s moment when Oasis and Blur jostled for the title of rock's best band in complete ignorance of the fact that the groups genuinely loathed each other. The divisive issues were class and ambition: Oasis' Noel and Liam Gallagher boasted that they had neither, while the members of Blur were posh college kids who briefly went by the band name Seymour, after J.D. Salinger's suicidal genius. Blur's music had oblique melodies and omnivorous influences; Oasis ripped off as many Beatles tunes as it could get away with. On one of the many occasions when Blur's lead singer, Damon Albarn, mocked the musical sophistication of his rivals, Noel Gallagher replied that he wished Albarn would "catch AIDS and die." It was, in its horrible way, an excellent feud.

A decade and change later, Blur has broken up. But Albarn stayed on his artistic trajectory and has assumed the throne, vacant since David Bowie's prime, of popular music's avant-gardist in chief. In the past few years, he's launched a cartoon hip-hop band (Gorillaz), an Afro-pop album (Mali Music) and a side project with a member of the Clash. All were slightly ridiculous (hip-hop, world music, supergroup--the hubristic rock star's triple crown) but well received, yet none can quite prepare you for Albarn's latest: Journey to the West, a "circus opera" based on a Ming-dynasty novel, with lyrics in Mandarin by Chinese actor Chen Shi-zheng. The protagonist is the wildly self-confident Monkey, who irritates his peers with his certainty that he is far more gifted than they are and deserving of immortal acclaim. He doesn't go by the nickname Damon, but it's a fair question.

Journey was performed multiple times over the past year to raves, but listening to the score out of context is a little like hearing gossip about people you don't know: some things simply don't register. Portions of the album, however, are breathtaking. The instruments--from synthesizers and the thereminesque Ondes Martenot to harps and an acrylic doodad of Albarn's co-invention that replicates the sound of car horns on busy Chinese roads--are lavish, but the exoticism is somehow kept in check. Typical of Albarn's various cultural adventures, he doesn't attempt to pass as a local; the details and pentatonic scale may come from Chinese folk music, but the playful melodies are rooted in pop. The fluttering female voices on "Heavenly Peach Banquet" resolve as the la-la-la-la-las from Minnie Ripperton's "Lovin' You." "Iron Rod" sounds like R2-D2 rapping on a dance floor. "The Living Sea" is a ballad of such delicacy that it feels like a love song in any language. The music does a fair job of telling Monkey's story, but that's far less interesting than the ambition on display and the effortless integration of different traditions.

Oasis' seventh album, Dig Out Your Soul, also incorporates different traditions: John Lennon's and Paul McCartney's. There are plenty of worse musicians to rob, and on several tracks Oasis proves that it still has a gift for towering, arena-friendly tunes. "I'm Outta Time" is rock balladry at its shameless best--with an emotional guitar lead and a sweeping, sing-along chorus: "If I am to go/ In my heart you grow." Good luck resisting it, even if there is a needlessly appended sample from Lennon's final radio interview. "Ain't Got Nothin'" takes the band out of its midtempo sweet spot with an erratic snare drum that refuses to settle into a predictable rhythm. It's like "Helter Skelter" but faster.

Much of Dig Out Your Soul is pretty good, but none of it is particularly challenging--to the listener or its creators. Oasis too has stayed on its trajectory. Noel Gallagher recently told an interviewer that "it's a working-class thing ... I'm not an experimenter." Even if you overlook this patronizing view of the working class, the limiting of artistic horizons as a virtue is worrisome. For all the Beatles envy, it's the Rolling Stones whom Oasis has come to resemble most--not in its music but in its aversion to acknowledging anything but its own success.

Source: www.time.com

Oasis Looking Back In Anger

Incident at Virgin Festival overshadows release of Oasis’ new album

While the recent attack on Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher was bad — he broke three ribs after a 47-year-old man assaulted him on stage at Toronto’s Virgin Festival last month — bassist Andy Bell said things could have been worse.

“I saw Noel lying on the ground,” he says on the phone from his London home. “I thought he had been stabbed.”

At first Bell was in shock. He saw the fan leap at singer Liam Gallagher after knocking Noel down. Three bodyguards quickly tackled the suspect. Although the band finished the set, they had to cancel a number of tour dates — including ones in London, Ont., and Montreal — after they found out that the older Gallagher brother had broken bones.

Needless to say, Bell and the rest of the band aren’t too pleased they’ve had to stay at home while new record, Dig Out Your Soul, is hitting stores this week.

“We’re unbelievably angry about this,” he says. “It’s crazy. Right now we should be doing dates, but we’re not. This has thrown a huge bomb in the middle of our schedule. Apart from the fact it’s something you don’t do. You don’t attack a man from behind.”

Bell’s not sure what will happen to the attacker, and he hasn’t found out why Gallagher was hit, but the incident has made them rethink their large festival gigs. “This could have happened anywhere,” he says, adding that the band is not holding a grudge against Toronto. “The problem for us was that it was a festival. That’s the issue we’re blaming for this. It’s hard to say how we’ll address it, but there are professionals who are looking at this and finding out how we can make things safer.”

Although the band did finally resume touring this week in Liverpool, this setback has made it more difficult to promote the album. It’s too bad too as Dig Out Your Soul could be the band’s best effort since its mid-’90s heyday. The songs aren’t as rocking as What’s the Story Morning Glory, and they don’t deviate much from their familiar Beatles-esque pop, but for the first time in a while the band members sound like they are trying again.

It probably helped that every member contributed at least one track to the record. Bell is responsible for the upbeat rocker Nature of Reality, and while it’s one of the less Oasis-like tracks on the album — making it a refreshing addition to the band’s sound — it’s not the song the bassist would have picked for the record.

“If we were going for one track, I would have chosen a different one,” he says, pointing out that he actually wrote a number of tunes. “Noel sets the tone of the album, then he goes back through the 60 or so songs we’ve got in a collective pile and he pulls out things that suit his head space. So Nature made more sense with everything together.”

While the soft-spoken Bell has several more good tunes that might never see the light of day, he’s not upset — he just wants to get back on the road. “We’re trying to get in the zone again. The worst thing was preparing to be so active and then not doing anything. We all feel a bit out of sorts, but in terms of playing, the music sounds brilliant.”

Source: www.metronews.ca

Liam Gallagher's Writing Apathy

Liam Gallagher doesn't care if he never writes another song.

The Oasis singer has penned three tracks for the band's new album, 'Dig Out Your Soul', but insists he doesn't mind if he never gets involved in the creative process again.

He said: "I'm easy, whether a song goes on the album or not, I don't hold a gun to anyone's head, I'm happy enough just singing the songs.

"I'm just a singer, I'm probably the best singer in the band but that's it. When the mic's there, let's go. I know my place."

The former rock wildman also revealed he only turns to writing when he has completed his domestic tasks.

He added: "My songwriting is just a pure fluke. I sit there with a guitar, once the ironing has been done and if there's nothing on the telly, I'll pick it up, get my dictaphone out and boosh. It happens, I haven't got a clue what it's about, but that's it done.

Source: www.myparkmag.co.uk

On This Day In Oasis History...

"Cigarettes & Alcohol" is a song by British rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher, it was released on October 10, 1994. It was the fourth single to be released from their debut album Definitely Maybe, and their second to enter the Top Ten in the United Kingdom, peaking at #7 (three places higher than "Live Forever").

Whereas earlier singles "Supersonic" and "Shakermaker" had used psychedelic imagery, and "Live Forever" used softer chords and tender lyrics, "Cigarettes & Alcohol" was the first real taste, among their singles, of the wilder attitude that Oasis appeared to be promoting. The song showcases the appeal of cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and partying as a remedy to the banality of working class life. Lyrics such as "Is it worth the aggravation to find yourself a job when there's nothing worth working for" tapped into the mood of British working class youth in the mid-1990s. However, the song does not set out to hold up these minor releases of work-a-day life as some ideal. They are, rather, a compromise – "You could wait for a lifetime," they sing, "to spend your days in the sunshine/(so) you might as well do the white line".

Another notable element of this song is Liam's unique pronunciation of many of the words. Most rhymes end in "-tion," and Liam draws these out into "-sheeyion," for almost every line. Noel has said that he writes many lyrics to fit Liam's extremely different vocal style. This is debatably one of the most memorable parts of this song.

The song was one of the first cases when Oasis was accused of musical plagiarism, a reputation of the band that would later grow. The main riff of the song is supposedly "borrowed" from "Get It On (Bang a Gong)" by T-Rex and also bears a similarity to the opening of Humble Pie's cover of "C'Mon Everybody" from the album Smokin'.

Rod Stewart covered the song on his 1998 album When We Were the New Boys.

To add to the similarity between "Get It On" and this particular track, at the end, Liam Gallagher sings the Bolanesque double entendre refrain you gotta, you gotta, you gotta make it, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta fake it.

There is also a very similar chord progression in the song "Rose Tint My World" from the rock opera The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The intro to this song in particular seems to have provided Noel Gallagher with some influence in writing this song.

The song is included on Oasis' 'best-of' album Stop the Clocks.

In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Cigarettes & Alcohol" at number 31 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.



Track listings

CD CRESCD 190
"Cigarettes & Alcohol" - 4:50
"I Am the Walrus" (Live) - 8:14
"Listen Up" - 6:39
"Fade Away" - 4:13

7" CRE 190
"Cigarettes & Alcohol" - 4:50
"I Am the Walrus" (Live) - 8:14

12" CRE 190T
"Cigarettes & Alcohol" - 4:50
"I Am the Walrus" (Live) - 8:14
"Fade Away" - 4:13

Cassette CRECS 190
"Cigarettes & Alcohol" - 4:50
"I Am the Walrus" (Live) - 8:14

Contrary to the sleevenotes, which claimed it was recorded at the Glasgow Cathouse in June 1994, "I Am the Walrus" was actually recorded at a soundcheck for a gig at the Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland on February 6, 1994, as part of a Sony Music seminar. The reason why this wasn't mentioned on the original sleevenotes was because Noel thought mentioning the fact that it was recorded at a corporate event would look bad. The crowd noises at the beginning and end of the track are from a Faces bootleg of Noel's.

All three B-sides were featured on The Masterplan, however "I Am the Walrus" and "Listen Up" both appear as edited versions.

The Father Ted episode Cigarettes and Alcohol and Rollerblading is named after this song.

This and Lyla, are the only singles entirely sung by Liam Gallagher.

Source: Wikipedia

Oasis UK Tour - Extra Tickets

UK fans are urged to keep checking the Forthcoming Gigs section of Oasisinet.

Last minute tickets may become available for each date as production allocations are released and handed back to the venue.

Source: www.oasisinet.com

Oasis Planning City Extravaganza

Oasis stars Liam and Noel Gallagher have revealed they will play in their home city after all following a storm of protest about their latest tour.

The brothers caused anger when their 'Dig Out Your Soul 2008/2009 World Tour' was revealed to be going to Liverpool then Sheffield - but missing out Manchester

But Noel, 41, has now revealed the band would be doing something 'big' in the New Year.

He said: "We've got a big special thing planned for Manchester which we cannot tell you about. I think it will be next year when it's nice and hot."

Speaking about the City of Manchester Stadium Noel told DJs Richard and Luce: "We have been told that the new owners have said they are not having any more concerts at the stadium because they don't need the money.

"I agree with them that they shouldn't have any more concerts there but they should definitely let us play."

Liam and brother Noel, 41, checked into the five-star Lowry Hotel in Salford in preparation for their gig in Sheffield.

And they were later seen out and about on the city centre streets.

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Oasis Interviews On Zune

Oasis - Zune's Green Room from zuneartcs on Vimeo.

Oasis have three full-length exclusive video interviews available on Zune Marketplace. To view them, simply go to GREENROOM to check out the videos and download the software.

Check out the the trailer.

Noel: Britain's No Oasis

Noel Gallagher has branded Britain a dump.

The Oasis star from Manchester claimed in an interview on a Dutch and Belgian TV show he only lives in England because that is where the music industry is, and he doesn't miss it when he's on tour, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Noel, 41, ranted: "You know England is not that f***ing great, as anybody'll tell you. To live in England is a f***ing s***hole, to be honest. Well, look at it, f***ing dump! People have this romantic image of England, you know. London is a f***ing dump. It's full of crime, it's full of f***ing tourists. It's traffic, it's pollution. I don't even know why I live here to be honest. I live here because the music industry is here."

"On tour I miss my girlfriend and my little boy and my daughter. I miss watching the football, I miss getting a decent cup of tea. That's about it, other then that I don't miss anything."

The musician continued to rant that he feels his opinion doesn't matter and no one should care what his opinions are on other musicians such as Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty, or social issues like knife crime.

But Noel added he welcomed global warming, saying: "I think global warming is brilliant."

Source: www.musicnews.virginmedia.com

Kaiser Chiefs Call For An End To Oasis Feud

Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson has called for an end to the supposed feud between his band and Oasis.

In August Oasis' Noel Gallagher compared Kaiser Chiefs to The Monkees.

Kaiser Chiefs' Nick Hodgson responded by claiming that Oasis were simply seeking publicity by slagging off the Leeds band.

Singer Wilson has since called for an end to the slanging match. "It was quite exciting at first," he told BBC Newsbeat, "but now I just can't be bothered talking about it anymore.

"This is the band I grew up with. They're one of the biggest bands in the world and one of my favourites.

"I read things that I supposedly said and it doesn't even sound like my voice. It just frustrates me. I can't go into an interview now without talking about it."

The singer shifted attention to his band's new album, 'Off With Their Heads', explaining how they enlisted Lily Allen to sing vocals on the album.

"We used her because we wanted a kind of Bananarama-style backing vocal and she had that kind of attitude we wanted," he said.

Wilson added: "I've known her for nearly three years now and Mark's [Ronson, who co-produced the album] good friends with her. We were making a record and we had her number. So we thought why not?"

Source: www.nme.com

Last Night's Oasis Setlist In Liverpool

F**kin' In The Bushes
Rock 'N' Roll Star
Lyla
The Shock Of The Lightning
Cigarettes And Alcohol
Meaning Of Soul
To Be Where There's Life
Waiting For The Rapture
The Masterplan
Songbird
Slide Away
Morning Glory
Ain't Got Nothing
The Importance Of Being Idle
I'm Outta Time
Wonderwall
Supersonic
Don't Look Back In Anger
Falling Down
Champagne Supernova
I Am The Walrus

Unfortunately My Big Mouth was dropped from last nights setlist in Liverpool.

Did you go to last nights gig or future gigs?

Send in your pictures to scyhodotcom@gmail.com and I will add them to tour archive.

Noel Gallagher To Team Up With Russell Brand For Comic Relief?

Noel Gallagher has said he regrets joking that he intended writing a sitcom with Russell Brand.

"A journalist asked me what I'd do if Oasis finished and, as I'd been out with Russell the night before, I said I'd be a scriptwriter with him."

He told XFM: "Then I was on his radio show and said it'd be a great Comic Relief idea. They're now ringing us up and I'm like 'Woah, hang on a minute!'"

Source: www.teletext.co.uk

More Reviews From Last Night's Oasis Show In Liverpool

Oasis kicked off their UK tour in Liverpool last night (October 7), and were introduced onstage by boxer and friend Ricky Hatton.

The gig was Oasis' first since the guitarist was pushed over by a stage invader at the Canadian V Festival, injuring his ribs.

The show saw Noel defying doctor's orders, having been ordered to rest for a least another four weeks following the incident on September 7.

Introducing the band, Hatton referenced the incident, telling the crowd: "They're the best band in the world, and I'm proud to say, friends. If anyone tries to push them over onstage tonight they're gonna have me to deal with!"

Oasis – who were supported by local three-piece The Sixteen Tonnes, handpicked by Noel – then got their tour back on track in some style at the 10,000-capacity Echo Arena, taking the stage to the familiar strains of 'Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants' album opener 'Fuckin In The Bushes'.

The band then opened the show with 'Rock N Roll Star', before blasting through the likes of 'Lyla', 'Slide Away', 'Supersonic' and 'Wonderwall', along with new 'Dig Out Your Soul' songs 'Waiting For The Rapture', 'The Shock Of The Lightning', 'I'm Outta Time', 'Ain't Got Nothin'', 'To Be Where There's Life' and 'Falling Down'.

Noel also performed an acoustic version of 'Don't Look Back In Anger', which was almost impossible to hear over a deafening crowd sing-a-long.

'The Masterplan', 'Champagne Supernova' and 'Cigarettes And Alcohol' also featured, as well as a surprise in the shape of 'Be Here Now' track 'My Big Mouth'.

Closing the show by returning to what was their traditional final song in the '90s, a cover of The Beatles' 'I Am The Walrus', frontman Liam Gallagher told the crowd: "You lot should all know the words to this one!"

Oasis played:

'Fuckin' In The Bushes'
'Rock 'N' Roll Star'
'Lyla'
'The Shock Of The Lightning'
'Cigarettes And Alcohol'
'The Meaning Of Soul'
'To Be Where There's Life'
'Waiting For The Rapture'
'The Masterplan'
'Songbird'
'Slide Away'
'Morning Glory'
'Ain't Got Nothin''
'The Importance of Being Idle'
'I'm Outta Time'
'My Big Mouth'
'Wonderwall'
'Supersonic'
'Don't Look Back In Anger'
'Falling Down'
'Champagne Supernova'
'I Am The Walrus'

The sold-out tour continues with another show in Liverpool tonight (October 8), before visiting the following venues:

Sheffield Arena (October 10, 11)
Birmingham NIA (13, 14)
London Wembley Arena (16, 17)
Bournemouth BIC (20, 21)
Cardiff International Arena (23, 24)
Belfast Odyssey Arena (29, 30)
Aberdeen Exhibition Centre (November 1, 2)
Glasgow SECC (4, 5)

Source: www.nme.com

OASIS are back on home soil and doing what they do best.

The greatest band in Britain swaggered back on stage for the opening night of their UK tour and reminded the country what we’ve been missing.

You can forget that nonsense in Canada, too, with new hired muscle RICKY “The Hitman” HATTON watching from the side of the stage.

The boxer bowled up before the set and said: “It’s an honour for me to introduce these boys on stage.

“They are the best band in Britain, the biggest band in the world and I’m proud to call them friends.

“And you can forget trying to come on stage, like in Canada, or you’ll have me to f****** deal with.”

Noel broke his ribs when he was pushed off the stage by a nutter at a festival in Toronto last month.

And Liam, using a barrage of expletives, told how he’d love to get hold of the idiot, cut his manhood off and eat it.

Liam, NOEL, GEM ARCHER, ANDY BELL and new drummer CHRIS SHARROCK were on blistering form.

They cracked the setlist with a brilliant mix of new material and the classics. They dedicated the gig to new Scouse drummer Chris — and he played out of his skin.

It was like watching THE WHO’s KEITH MOON.

New single The Shock Of The Lightning was thumping rock’n’roll magic.

And encore Falling Down was tremendous.

I watched the gig beside ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN frontman IAN MCCULLOCH.

I’m sure the dour star even smiled once, nodding in appreciation.

Liam’s pipes were in great shape, there was no sign of Noel’s injuries and the crowd lapped it up.

The usual pints of lager were flying around as the sing-along hit ear-shattering volume.

I first saw them live in 1995 and the buzz of seeing them now is just as big as it was back then.

It’s no surprise they have flogged 90,000 copies of their new album in a day.

Ten out of ten doesn’t do it justice.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Ricky Hatton And Noel Gallagher Plan Road Trip

Ricky Hatton and Noel Gallagher are going on the mother of all lads’ holidays – a road trip from Las Vegas to Mexico.

The Manc pals will bunk up in a tour bus heavily stocked with beer after boxer Ricky’s fight with Paul Malignaggi on November 22.

Noel has agreed to carry one of The Hitman’s belts into the ring before the big fight. And once Ricky has dealt with his rival, the real tear-up begins.

Speaking backstage after Oasis’s brilliant first date on their UK Tour at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, Noel said: “I’m going to carry a belt into the ring for Ricky.

“He told me to hang it over my shoulder but I’ll be holding it up over my head, marching.

“We’re going to do a road trip to the Oasis gig in Mexico after. It’ll be a proper smash-up.”

Ricky was master of ceremonies for the band on Tuesday, earning a knockout reception.

I met him afterwards as he left for an early-ish night as his gruelling training regime has kicked in.

He also has his own chat show, on a digital channel in the pipeline.

He said: “I want Noel on it. I’ve got great guests sorted already. It will be a laugh.”

He should make a film of the Mexico trip. Two Manc amigos on the road on the ale? It would be great TV.

Meanwhile, Liam has voiced his opinions on his big brother’s plan to release a solo album in the future.

He said: “Good luck to him, man. I hope he gives it away for free because I won’t be buying it.”

But Liam admits his brother pens better tracks than him. He said: “He is the best songwriter of his decade, man.”

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Photos From Liverpool

I have added all my photos from my trip to Liverpool including the Oasis gig, the city and some of the city's top tourist attractions, find them by clicking here.

Did you go to last nights or tonight's gig or future gigs?

Send in your pictures to scyhodotcom@gmail.com and I will add them to tour archive.

Noel Gallagher Interview: Oasis Super Gig Planned For Manchester Next Year?

Tonight, he's a rock and roll star

Noel Gallagher is unquestionably one of the most popular songwriters of his generation. On the opening night of Oasis's latest tour, he spoke to Ed Thomas about the next 18 months he'll spend on the road, Manchester City and... the X Factor?!

In light of the recent unsavouriness which saw him pushed off stage at a festival in Canada, Ed begins his interview with Noel by asking how the incident has affected him.

Answering with trademark candour and wit, Noel explains how it's shaped his feelings towards playing live.

He also touches base on why the tour began in Liverpool rather than Manchester and the influence the city has gone on to have since the band's early days. Then it's on to the perils and pitfalls of life on the road and the X Factor's role in the cultural life of Britain in 2008.

Lastly, Ed asks the question it's irresistible to ask any Manchester City fan - even Noel Gallagher. Just how does it feel to support the richest football club in the world?

Click Here To Watch the Noel Gallagher interview in full

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Noel also spoke of a super gig in Manchester next summer

Oasis Interviewed On The New Album

Source: Via YouTube

‘I’m Not A Pizza Boy’ Says Liam Gallagher

Bizarre admission by Oasis frontman as Noel Gallagher tells Xfm how the band divvy up singing duties.

Noel Gallagher has told John Kennedy and Xfm that things got a little heated when the band were trying to decide who would sing each song. Gallagher and guitarist Gem Archer were chatting on X-posure last night about the making of the band’s seventh album, ‘Dig Out Your Soul’.

In the hour-long interview, Noel was typically candid and forthright with opinions. When describing how the band decided on who would sing each song, the singer said:

“If a song requires a bit more thought about the delivery, then I’ll do it. It’s very difficult to talk Liam through how to deliver something because he looks at you like you’re talking Swahili. If I say ‘Yeah, but the delivery not’s right’, he’ll turn around and go, ‘I’m not a fucking pizza boy, mate. I’m not delivering nothing’.”

Gem Archer continued:

“Dave [Sardy, the band’s producer] once said to him, ‘It sounds great Liam, but do it like you’re telling a story’. Liam says ‘Ok, no worries’. The tape starts rolling and Liam goes ‘Once Upon A time…’.”

Listen to the interview again by clicking here.

Source: www.xfm.co.uk

Oasis Still Rockin’ And Rollin’ With It

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

Oasis In Liverpool Videos

From Sky News, broadcast 8th October 2008. Clips from the Liverpool Echo Arena gig the night before and a brief interview with Liam before the gig.



A video of my photos from Liverpool, Including a trip to Anfield, The Beatles Story and of course the concert. I will ad them all to the archive ASAP.