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
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