Friday 10/10/08 Oasis @ Sheffield Arena

The past couple of weeks have been littered with quips from the Gallagher brothers on anything from politics to musicals and of course once again labelling Keane shit. The dilemmas of the Noel injury saga also augmented interest in the band amongst the ruthless tabloids as well as the caring and adoring fans. It’s somewhat refreshing then to get an evening where focus shifts from the news story ready behaviour in favour of the art at hand. An evening of walking the walk rather then talking the talk as it were.

Oasis had previously stated in interviews that they were reluctant to play too much of the new record, ‘Dig Out Your Soul’, as they were electing to go for a greatest hits set. However, luckily for those of us who are head over heals for the new album, Sheffield was treated to ‘Waiting For The Rapture’, the bolt from the blue sounding live version of ‘Shock Of The Lightning’, ‘To Be Where There’s Life, ‘Falling Down’, ‘Ain’t Got Nothing’ and forthcoming single ‘I’m Outta Time’. As the opening notes rung of the latter there was trepidation as to whether Liam could give justice to the brilliant vocals he laid down on the record. Nethertheless, he belted out his Lennon-esque tune no problem and put those worries to bed quick as a flash.

In fact, Liam’s vocals were on top form throughout the night and showcased the maturity he has now found to his voice. He sings coherently rather then sneering and screaming like the town crier. New drummer Chris Sharrock stole the show with his enthusiastic release on the kit. He pounded with controlled chaos in a way Zak Starkey would have winced at. The result was something Starkey would also recoil at as Sharrock brought new life in to some of the former drummers playing in a way that nodded back to a hedonistic lifestyle.

The band played the same set as they had done in Liverpool a few nights prior minus ‘My Big Mouth’ and allowed many a moment for the crowd to fuel their karaoke hearts. Big chants throughout allowed Noel to take a step back for the acoustic version of ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’. Chants of ‘Noel Noel Noel’ were also greeted with the response of “I am loveable” from the guitarist.

Banter was kept to a minimum and allowed for a hit laden set to commence. Liam was charmingly thankful throughout nodding and saluting the fateful energies of his onlookers. He also gave a comment of approval to Noel by stating “Now that’s a tune”, after the end of ‘Falling Down’, bringing a surprised “oh, thank you” from Noel to his brother.

The show, and indeed all UK dates of the tour, were in jeopardy after the attack on Noel Gallagher in Toronto last month but the bushy eye browed guitarist showed little signs of any discomfort throughout the night apart from a clutch of his ribs as he arrived on stage arms in the air.

As the final flourish came in the form of Beatles classic ‘I Am The Walrus’, Liam professed: “Sheffield, you’ve been the bollox!” The frontman looked impressed throughout the night by the sea of bodies hurling towards him and the many scraps ensuing throughout the arena. You wouldn’t start a night like this but you certainly wouldn’t mind ending it that way.

Oasis 2008 UK Tour (by Neil Lupin):