ShareLiam Gallagher performing his Why Me? Why Not tour at The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Tuesday 26th November 2019
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Liam Gallagher, former Oasis and Beady Eye front man, came to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena last night, as part of his Why Me? Why Not solo tour, and entertained a packed crowd with some old classics together with some new songs from his second solo album.
Before he even got to the stage, the crowd engaged in a mass sing along to Stone Roses’ I Am The Resurrection which served to show that expectations were high. And when the first notes of Fuckin’ In The Bushes resounded around the Arena, excitement levels nearly took off the the roof.
When Gallagher strolled on to the stage, attired in his customary parka, with maracas in his hand, pints were launched into the air as he opened the show with Oasis song, Rock ‘N’ Roll Star and the beer rained down for the duration of the set.
Following up with songs from his latest album Why Me? Why Not, Halo and his popular single Shockwave, both stood their ground against the earlier Oasis heavyweight, before he powered his way through festival favourite Wall Of Glass, and his first album single, Come Back To Me.
But without doubt the highlights of the night were the Oasis covers, and with an already electric atmosphere, the crowd went absolutely wild when former Oasis guitarist Bonehead joined Gallagher on stage for a substantial number of Oasis songs such as Morning Glory, Columbia and Stand By Me.
Gallagher’s son, Gene, assisted his dad by taking to the drums for his recent single The River, before Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants album track Gas Panic! was followed by set closer, a rousing rendition of Wonderwall which prompted a mass sing along.
With his natural arrogance, he returned to the stage for an improvised version of Oasis anthem, Acquiesce, with Noel’s vocals being replaced with on screen lyrics for the crowd to sing along to, which they managed impressively well.
Even Gallagher could not get away without delivering Roll With It and Supersonic and he did not disappoint. But the real highlight of the night was undoubtedly an unforgettable, stripped back version of Champagne Supernova, which saw a single spot light finding him with the hood of his parka hiding his face as he belted out those familiar lyrics.
Ending the night with all time classic and fans favourite, Cigarettes And Alcohol, Gallagher is without doubt a loving custodian of Oasis’ back catalogue. But on this performance his claim that he is the only true rock ‘n’ roll star left has some merit, and there are not many that were at the Arena last night that would argue with him.
