More about: Liam Gallagher
The love/hate figure at his best
‘Is anyone here an Oasis fan?’ Gallagher posits a question that elicits rapturous applause and continuous shouts of ‘Li-am!’ that refrain throughout the night. It is impossible not to be drawn to his abrasive yet endearing personality under the lights of the Royal Albert Hall. Gathered to raise money for the annual Teenage Cancer Trust fundraiser (previous nights showcased the eclectic mix of Yungblud, Madness and The Who headliners), Gallagher is beaming, and his fans are restless.
Joined by the outspoken punk rockers Kid Kapichi and scruff-punks RATS, Gallagher certainly pins a lot of pressure on the youths to create an energetic prologue to his performance. Kid Kapichi’s presence at the show was a stroke of sonic serendipity, however. Gallagher himself replied to a tweet of a Kid Kapichi music video, expressing his intrigue in their project, and Kid Kapichi got the call a few days later that they would be playing the Royal Albert Hall. So maybe a good social media strategy does pay off.
They careered through their anthem-laden set with fervour, the armed ‘New England’ (dedicated to the late Taylor Hawkins) poking holes in the concept of ‘English-ness’ (which perhaps didn’t float too well with devout Gallagher fans) and their runaway hit ‘Working Man’s Town’ embracing the blight of the working man. They’re quick to plug their 4th May, Electric Ballroom headline to the sold-out room, in hopes the Gallagher fanbase can pinch the remaining handful of tickets - you have to admire the opportunism.
Eventually appearing to the jeering shouts of ‘Li-am!’, and prefaced by a heartfelt video detailing the hardships of a teenage cancer patient, Gallagher stepped onto the stage.
The maraca-wielding frontman interlaced Oasis classics (it was for a good cause after all) with his solo material, even throwing in a Beady Eye deep cut of ‘Bring The Light’ to keep the audience guessing. Kicking off with the doting ‘Hello’ and tongue-in-cheek ‘Rock 'n' Roll Star’, his pathos is vibrating the room, whipping up a mini-tornado in the standing section. I have never been to a gig where so many people knew the words of each and every song.
We were blessed with the live debut of ‘C’mon You Know’, seemingly the second single of Gallagher’s album that marries both his acoustic-rock roots with a more snarling lyricism than usual, whilst his protege son Gene picked up the sticks for ‘The River’, joining Gallagher’s drummer in duet. ‘Stand By Me’ and ‘Cast No Shadow’ were obvious highlights, whilst the swelling Once shed light on a more emotional side of Gallagher. Each song was dripping in crystalline production and the roaring synergy of his band, and his yearning, drawn-out lyrics were buttressed by the chorus of 3 backing singers that sat at the back of the stage. Much like Kapichi, he dedicated the apt ‘Live Forever to the late Taylor Hawkins, the lyrics eerily echoing the news of his passing that morning.
Gallagher’s generational power is apparent, and I very quickly leaned into the energy in the room, realising that good music transcends all barriers, and Gallagher’s conducting presence had every eye tracking his every move. He is an unabashedly brilliant performer, with a justifiably veritable fanbase, leaning into each song with a crooning charm that serves to make each moment memorable. Gallagher belongs on the largest stages in the world, and at this rate that is where he will remain.
To donate to Teenage Cancer Trust, visit: https://www.
See photos of the night by Jordan Hughes below:
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More about: Liam Gallagher
Photo: Jordan Hughes
