More about: Beady Eye
Liam Gallagher impresses at in-store gig
Liam Gallagher and Beady Eye performed an intimate gig tonight (10 June, 2013) for a small number of lucky fans in London's Rough Trade East store.
To mark the release of second album, BE, Liam Gallagher and his second musical incarnation took to the small stage to perform songs from the band's new album.
The band performed a 45 minute set and Liam was greeted by high-fives from the front row of the gig in the East London music store, before performing an acoustic, 11-track set.
A remarkably different figure to the one who makes regular tabloid headlines, Gallagher remained quiet throughout the gig, making only a few short statements to fans. "This is tiny, innit?" He said as he took to the stage, later thanking fans who had purchased the new album, adding: "Nice one for coming and if you bought the record… nice one."
Tracks from the new album are notably stronger than on the debut, despite clunky lyrics in places. This time around however, Gallagher seems to be in it for pleasure more than because he has something to prove to fans and critics alike.
Fans lined the street outside Rough Trade East before the tiny Beady Eye gig
Standout tracks of the night include the (dreadfully titled) 'Iz Rite', 'Don't Brother Me' and lead single from Be, 'Flick OF the Finger' - the latter proving justification of Dave Sitek as one of the most brilliant producers on the scene right now. When the acoustic performance was backed with pre-recorded instruments (courtesy of Sitek). fans given a tantalising glimpse of how big some of the new tracks will sound when performed in a stadium setting - instead of a small record store.
The full setlist was as follows:
'Second Bite Of The Apple'
'Soul Love'
'Iz Rite'
'Some Come Tomorrow'
'Start Anew'
'I'm Just Saying'
'Don't Brother Me'
'Cry Baby Cry'
'Ballroom Figured'
'Shine A Light'
'Flick Of The Finger'
Be is out now.
Below: Beady Eye, Be - what the critics say about Liam's latest
Clash: "Shades of light and dark ripple throughout and keep the listener guessing. They traverse rhythms and sounds to add depth and clarity that was previously lacking. 8/10"
The Fly: "This follow-up has its share of 'spread your wings and FLAAIEEE' hokum, but also moments that remind us that we'd miss Gallagher if he went. 3/5"
DrownedInSound: "Oasis were, for a short while, capable of making disposable, derivative, nostalgia-inducing rock music that appealed to the masses. If BE accomplishes anything that Different Gear, Still Speeding didn’t, it is to finally confirm the notion that if not for the massive popularity of Oasis, no one in their right mind would ever, EVER have signed Beady fucking Eye. 0/10"
Mojo: "When it works it's genuinely exciting, but too often the brave retro-futuristic collision is neither fish nor fowl. 6/10"
The Guardian: "In come motorik krautrock/Velvet Underground rhythms, a brass band, disoriented guitars and an eerie narrative on man's capacity for destruction featuring the words of a murdered French Revolutionary. At best, exiting the comfort zone can lead to a strange and fantastic place. 3/5"
Q: "Insofar as BE succeeds, it's largely down to the reinvigorating effects of New York producer Dave Sitek. 6/10"
Uncut: "A bold leap forward in the mould of Paul Weller's recent psych-inspired reinventions. 7/10"
Metro: "It may be more complex but Beady Eye's second album still can't touch early Oasis for songwriting magic, which came courtesy of Noel. Still, it's better than many of that band's tired and bloated later offerings."
Shortlist: "There's little denying that Liam Gallagher and Beady Eye sound refreshed here with the production twists of Dave Sitek...there are strung-out epics and short punchy nuggets sung by a man with renewed fire in his belly."
More about: Beady Eye
