There are few genuine rock stars left in this world, but Liam Gallagher is undoubtedly one hundred and fifty percent in that club. He’s got the legacy, the attitude, the adoring fans, and most importantly, the songs. Not shy to say exactly what’s on his mind at any given time, he’s no stranger to controversy—one could say that Gallagher is the personification of “it says what it does on the tin.”
This would be my second time seeing Liam Gallagher in London and it was arguably his best. The second to last show of the year was a fitting end to confusing time for the UK, but what better music to bring everyone together than this man’s impressive catalogue?
2019 saw Gallagher return with his second UK number one album, the brilliant Why Not, Why Me, and with a subsequent tour that finds Gallagher at the top of his game once again—and the marketing campaign and launch were equally as brilliant. Gallagher has rediscovered how to take control of his brand, changing the direction of his narrative and expressing himself creatively outside of the music itself.
It’s made him the most engaged and engaging of the two Gallagher brothers–and that’s something few people would have predicted when Oasis split a decade ago. Gallagher’s marketing masterplan is a perfect example of how to apply old-school craft and creativity in a world of social media, AI, constant scrutiny, and radical transparency. It shows how modern marketing works best as a balancing act between the old and the new.
If you’ve never been to a Liam Gallagher show, it’s very different from any other gig across the UK. What’s the big difference? The fans. They are absolutely insane, in a good way. In between songs, the entire crowd joins in singalongs while slinging cups of beer throughout the air leading to a roaring chant of “LIAM, LIAM, LIAM.”
The big difference between Noel and Liam gigs is that Liam delivers the goods right out of the gate and comes out swinging, while Noel may or may not play a single Oasis song or as an encore only. Opening the set to the twenty thousand strong capacity crowd was “Rock N’ Roll Star,” and the place went berserk. Within seconds I and my camera were doused with beer. It was just enough to wash the remaining blood stains from my Nikon after shooting Gwar a few weeks back. This was a rock ‘n’ roll train from hell, and it barreled straight through for the next 90 minutes, and nothing would stop it.
The setlist was a brilliant mix of solo material and Oasis classics. Highlights for me were “Shockwave,” “Halo,” and “Once” from the new record as they dazzled in the live setting. The set ended with every person in the arena singing “Wonderwall” at the top of their lungs which seemed like it might be the climax. That was quickly overshadowed by a blistering four-song set of Oasis favorites, including the terribly undercelebrated “Acquiesce” transitioning into “Roll With It,” “Supersonic,” and finally “Champagne Supernova.” But that wasn’t it. Gallagher had one more surprise up his sleeve with a second encore of “Cigarettes and Alcohol.”
Throughout the set, Gallagher was joined by former Oasis member Bonehead and even brought his son out on stage to jam on the drums. It was a brilliant night all around, and I would have loved to see this show again the second night, but tickets were a bit hard to come by.
Liam Gallagher has proved that he’s one of the most credible, most exciting, and most respected voices in music again, but it would be impossible not to address the gorilla in the room. As we are in the thick of 2020 reunion announcements there is one glaring omission—Oasis. In a recent interview, Noel mentioned that a reunion was not out of the question, it’s just a matter of timing. This is much different from the previous thinking that it’s never gonna happen—so I think the stage is set for a 2020 reunion—to hopefully be followed by a full-blown 2021 tour and new album.
Why Me, Why Not? is in stores now through Warner Records.
