For Oasis fans holding out for a reunion, Liam Gallagher’s live return was the next best thing. But his solo show had an almost foolhardy adherence to former glories that overshadowed the new material.
As the cagoule-clad singer clasped the hands of admirers chanting his name and launched into a thunderous Rock ’n’ Roll Star, it seemed as if Gallagher’s stance and scowl were unchanged from the mid-Nineties.
While Noel Gallagher’s shows tend to feature mellower, acoustic Oasis, Liam focused on harder, heavier songs like Morning Glory and Be Here Now, which suited his rasping voice and air of aggression.
Inevitably, there was a celebratory reaction for these old favourites, though it made for an unbalanced performance. While the sweaty, heaving crowd responded in unison to the sauntering anthem Slide Away and the squally D’You Know What I Mean?, Gallagher’s new material was merely politely received.
In fairness, that’s always an issue when previewing an album ahead of release. Unfortunately, Gallagher’s solo efforts struggled alongside classics written by his big brother. A less obvious Oasis selection might have given his latest songs a chance to shine.
At least his commitment to this comeback was never in doubt. The soulful swagger of Wall of Glass sounded like a hit, while You’d Better Run, You’d Better Hide could have been aimed at you-know-who.
For the encore, he returned with an a cappella singalong of Live Forever, the stirring, defiant Oasis song which he dedicated to those who died and were injured in the Manchester terrorist attack.
