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It has to be said that Oasis at Wembley Arena had all the hallmarks for being a stinker. All too often a trip to Wembley fails to deliver any more than a dent in the pocket and an unsatisfied taste of what could have been. Tonight was different. Signature opening ‘Fuckin’ In The Bushes’ reverberated around the world as London held its breath and the watching world, via MTV, clicked on their kettles. The beer started to fly as Oasis took to the stage and Liam Gallagher wasted no time in telling them how pleased he was to be back in London: “Can’t hold ya drink ya cockney fuckers?”
The chants are immediate “LiiiamLiiiam” and will last all night as the band launch straight in ‘Rock‘n’roll star’ (“yes I fucking am”, as if you could forget). All the old swagger is back and it’s hard to imagine how long its been since they last rolled into town. Too many of Oasis’ recent renaissances have been about patiently sitting through the new to get to the old. Too often Gem Archer and Andy Bell have been passengers. Too often has the set seemed like it was written on the back of a pack of B ‘n’ H. Tonight was not the case.
It certainly helped that ‘Dig Out Your Own Soul,’ despite the early reports, is a massive grower. ‘Waiting For The Rapture’ was written to play live, big beat, it’s bass-led force is White Stripes-esque and Noel’s high vocal over the top of some razor-sharp riffs is truly sublime. Gem’s Eastern-influenced ‘To Be Where There’s Life’ has all the Gallagher punch leaving Liam room to soar like he did on ‘Scorpio Rising,’ the only drawback is the self-indulgent guitars to finish but this is one of one for the evening.
‘Falling Down’ is the pick of the new brigade and underlines Oasis’ future with the fattest of marker pens. This will be next summer’s stadium anthem there is no doubt. Noel is phenomenal once more; his dark yet soft vocal is one of those in awe-moments that leaves the dry-mouthed and reaching for the split beer.
A really soulful ‘I’m Outta Time’ is followed by Liam’s hurried “Right, Wonderwall.” The old favourite was played like the car was on the meter and Liam didn’t hold a single note. Perhaps it’s inclusion had something to do with the MTV execs listening in because it seemed no-one wanted to play it. By contrast, Noel and Gem’s stripped-down version of ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ was mesmerising. Liam seemed distracted tonight but Noel is really sounding as good as he ever has done. ‘Wonderwall's’ finished for that there is no doubt, but ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ is going to go on and on.
With all the hype that surrounds a new Oasis release it is easy to forget how much material they have. Well almost. ‘What’s The Story (Morning Glory)’ – dedicated to “all the pussies throwing beer” makes the crowd shudder in appreciation and the return of ‘Slide Away’ is more welcome than a Gifthorse with Harrods hamper but in a night of many, ‘The Masterplan’ edged it. No other band in the world can afford the kind of reaction this got for a B-side and it really is the kind of moment you wanna tell your kids about. If you had any.
The show was exactly that. A show. It was slick and it was polished and they’re not two words often associated with Oasis. To be honest though the diehards couldn’t care less how they do it as long as they do. ‘I don’t know, I don’t care / All I know is you can take me there.’
Oasis - 2008 UK Tour:
