It’s hard to believe it’s been only a year since the release of Noel Gallagher‘s fourth solo endeavour, Council Skies. This is largely due to his proclivity for performing it over the last 12 months, especially across the North West where Manchester, Liverpool and now Wigan have all welcomed the High Flying Birds as part of their extensive tour. This in itself is a rarity but a welcome one. Too often artists consider a date in either Liverpool or Manchester as servicing both cities (let alone Wigan!) in fear that playing both will impact attendance. Attendance isn’t something Noel needs to worry about. So much so, he’s branching out and taking risks with new locations and venues.
Following on from his 25,000 capacity show at the previously unutilised Wythenshaw Park last summer he now becomes one of the first artists to play to 11,500 at Robin Park Arena. Nestled between the Rugby and Football infrastructure of Wigan, the athletic track has been transformed to outdoor gig venue for a series of summer shows featuring both legends and home town heroes, of which tonight is generally considered the showcase evening.
A blossoming benefit of the year long tour is the time it has given the crowd to grow familiar with and fond of the latest album. Knowing that Noel starts his shows by putting his trust in a run of High Flying Birds material, its impressive to see it so universally re-paid as the new tracks create a vibrant atmosphere from the outset, opening with the magnetic riff of “Pretty Boy.” This track, a nod to the early demo days of Oasis, serves as a no-brainer to get the crowd going. The energetic start paves the way for a highlight reel of his latest album, featuring standout tracks like “Council Skies,” “Open the Door, See What You Find,” and “We’re Gonna Get There in the End.”
The small-town, family-oriented atmosphere of Wigan exudes a community feel to the event. As the gig-goers of the 90’s have grown up and had kids of their own, they show no sign of stopping going to gigs, rather we just bring the kids along too. A trend that becomes obviously apparent due to the amount of young nippers on shoulders throughout the show. Noel acknowledges the younger crowd members in typical Noel fashion “is this your first gig? No?! Well what are you crying for? You’ve seen it all before!” it’s a heart-warming moment, almost welcoming the younger lot into the ‘family’.
Speaking of the 90’s, Noel is quick to reassure us, “We’re going to end up in the 90s, the best decade of all time”
These days Noel seems to sign off his solo endeavours with “Dead in the Water“, as if it’s the perfect gateway from new to old. The song is textbook Noel in that respect, he’s been writing this kind of song (not as predominantly these days) for decades and for good reason. Over the years the crowd seem to resonate most deeply with this style of song writing. As a musician Noel does a lot and experiments a lot, but this particular sound is what he’s loved for at the end of the day. With just an acoustic guitar, piano, and Noel’s vocals, is showcases his timeless ability to craft sorrowful yet hopeful tunes.
The first ten songs of the set spanned Noel’s solo career, creating a robust showcase of his post-Oasis evolution. As the set progresses, Noel introduces Oasis B-sides, starting with “Going Nowhere,” a B-side that gets a sing along as if it was a number 1 hit. This is followed by “Talk Tonight,” “Half the World Away,” and “The Masterplan,” each eliciting overwhelming responses from the crowd. A delightful surprise is the inclusion of “Whatever,” (the almost Christmas number one from 1994) which delivers the biggest sing along/phone lights moment of the night thus far.
Yet another sing-along, another comes in the form of “Stand By Me,” the only song Noel seems fond of from the Oasis Be Here Now era, it’s a album he has often distanced himself from. Despite his personal reservations, the crowd’s reaction to “Stand By Me” is huge, proving that even Oasis material deemed less favourable by Noel is still head and shoulders above the rest of the Britpop scene.
A transformed rendition of “Live Forever,” adorned with Noel’s signature mix of arrogance and sorrow, proves to be profound for the crowd who, unified and swaying, find their own crescendo in the timeless chorus of “Don’t Look Back In Anger“” a poignant denouement to a splendid evening.”.
In the current phase of his illustrious career, Noel Gallagher stands as a revered figure, widely recognized as a national treasure. His musical contributions have served as the soundtrack to countless lives, leaving an enduring emotional impact on individuals of all ages. A cultural icon whose influence extends far beyond the realm of music, Gallagher’s quotes and interviews still make the tabloids, with people hanging on his every word.
While an Oasis reunion remains elusive, Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds give the fans plenty to shout about and yearn for. Performing Oasis classics for over three decades, Noel acknowledges the evolving ownership of these songs, emphasizing the significant role played by the audience. Noel has commented in the past about how they’re no longer his; they belong to the fans. Tonight, during “Little by Little,” the penny drops for us. Not one of Oasis’ strongest tracks, but with the audience bursting at the seams to sing the chorus at the top of their lungs, it becomes something much more.
The years go by, the audiences get younger, sing louder, get more emotional. We wont, but this feeling is simply going to Live Forever.
Photos by Vicky Pea.
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