Noel still sits atop the indie tree…
Super Furry Animals may seem an odd choice of support act to flank Noel Gallagher but they were peers and label mates of Oasis, with both bands signed to Creation Records at the same time. The two bands styles may have been very different but Noel has the luxury of a more progressive minded crowd these days and the Super Furry’s mad cap brand of anarchic Britpop sets things off nicely.
Playing a career spanning 9 song set, it was the final 3 tracks ‘Juxatpozed With U’, ‘Golden Retriever’, and ‘The Man Don’t Give a Fuck’ that really won the crowd over with ‘Golden Retriever’ particularly inspiring a lot of movement down at the front.
Gruff Rhys and co. emerged in white jump suits and the singer routinely held signs for the crowd bearing such legends as: ‘Prolonged Applause’, ‘Louder’ and ‘Apeshit!’. The crowd duly obliged.
As always, the 30 minute wait between bands felt like a lifetime and the tension was palpable by the time Noel and the High Flying Birds finally took to the stage. With little fanfare and after a brief introduction, they broke straight into a rapturously received ‘Everybody’s On The Run’.
Noel wisely allowed the crowd to sing the high ‘la la la’s’ from ‘In The Heat of the Moment’ before the inaugural Oasis song of the night ‘Fade Away’ brought about the first proper sing along. For the casual Oasis fan, ‘Fade Away’ may seem an unlikely choice. Anyone initiated with Noel Gallagher’s solo acoustic shows however, will be aware that he favours tracks from B-Side collection The Masterplan, hence the inclusion of the aforementioned ‘Fade Away’. Also played from The Masterplan was ‘Talk Tonight’, ‘Half The World Away’, and ‘Listen Up’ as well as the title track. Another Oasis B-Side ‘D’Yer Wanna Be A Spaceman’ was also a welcome inclusion.
Songs from Noel Gallagher’s two solo albums were gleefully lapped up by an adoring and enthusiastic crowd. ‘The Death Of You And Me’ and particularly the soaring ‘You Know We Can’t Go Back’ were exceptional and served as the perfect precursor to a glut of Oasis songs.
Of all the Oasis B-Sides it was ‘The Masterplan’ that most impressed. The addition of a horn section and a full choir added an extra dimension to an already melodramatically brilliant song. ‘Talk Tonight’ is one of my favourite Oasis songs and Noel’s rendition was breath taking here but ‘Half The World Away’ felt a bit too much like gratuitous Oasis karaoke. ‘Champagne Supernova’ also suffered from this affliction, becoming, as it has, one of the most overplayed Oasis tunes in recent years.
Sandwiched between ‘Listen Up’ and ‘The Masterplan’ were ‘If I Had A Gun’ and the most surprising song of the night ‘Digsy’s Dinner’. Always seen as the most throwaway track from Definitely Maybe, ‘Digsy’s Dinner’ actually takes on a new life live and the speeded up version was a treat for the Oasis stalwarts in the room.
For someone so erudite, Noel barely speaks to the crowd, only occasionally addressing the first few rows. When he does speak, to inform the crowd of the football scores for example, he is drowned out by the adoring screams of the audience. A few Neanderthals chant for Liam but for most of us Oasis were a great live band in spite of Liam Gallagher, not because of him. Having seen Oasis a couple of times in the past, I can vouch for the fact that Noel fares much better on his own and it is no surprise that rumours of a potential Oasis reunion have come to nought.
Noel leaves the stage after ‘The Masterplan’ but returns for a four song encore beginning with ‘Wonderwall’. Whilst I had no desire to hear ‘Wonderwall’ again after it has been so ubiquitous for so long, Noel changes the arrangement and key just enough to make it fresh again. ‘(I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine’ has no place in an encore for someone with such a great back catalogue to choose from however and it felt like a rare misstep from a man at the very top of his game.
Finishing off the night in some style were an insistent, chugging version of ‘AKA… What A Life!’ followed by a life affirming run through of ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’.
As one of the UK’s newest arenas, Leeds Arena was under pressure to be a success and the high stage, curved seating and intimate standing area combine for a top quality venue. As 13000 people sing along to ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ it is clear that whilst Leeds Arena looks a bit naff from outside, they have got everything right on the inside and that is all that counts.
As a veteran of 10 Leeds Festivals and loads of other gigs over the last 15 years, it is almost ludicrous to claim that a 48 year old Noel Gallagher feels like possibly the most vibrant and vital act I have ever seen. As the crowd pile out still singing ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ however, it is clear that Noel Gallagher still sits at the very top of British guitar scene. Noel Gallagher doesn’t have to tour or release albums but he does it because he can’t stop. It is in his DNA, his blood, sweat and tears.