Project Description
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LIAM GALLAGHER
+ POND + Old Mervs
@ HBF Stadium, Perth,
30th July 2022
(Live Review)
Review by Melanie Griffiths
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Liam Gallagher // Photo – Six Strings Photography
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In a time when rock appears to be dead, overshadowed by producers and trending meme songs, Liam Gallagher is one of the great stalwarts who refuse to cede his “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” status. And for thousands of the faithful who packed out HBF Stadium, he lived up to the legend delivering a show high on Oasis anthems with a few sneaky solo songs included.
The support acts had a distinctly local flavour with duo surf-rock outfit Old Mervs and Freo boys Pond rousing the crowd on stage with both bands reflecting the unpolished persona that Gallagher exudes. Pond put on a satisfying set with their mercurial front man Nic Allbrook fully immersing himself in songs like “Sweep Me Off My Feet”, “Paint Me Silver” and “America’s Cup”. Although for many in the audience the psychedelic rock band may have gone over their heads.
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Old Mervs // Photo – Six Strings Photography
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Pond // Photo – Six Strings Photography
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Pond // Photo – Six Strings Photography
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When it comes to a Liam Gallagher concert there is safety in numbers, Oasis numbers specifically. Gallagher seems only too aware of this as he strode on stage to “Fuckin’ In The Bushes”, maracas in hand to front his full band with what has become his usual one-two punch, an acerbic outing of Oasis’ “Hello” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star”. Gallagher and the songs might be older, but the man himself still retains the ratbag appeal of your youngest sibling. The banter was kept to a minimum, “It’s good to be back” as Gallagher settled in, hands behind his back, dressed in a camo parker, dark glasses and exuding his usual air of defiance.
Acting as a bridge between the first and second act, “Wall of Glass” from 2017’s “As You Were” sat snuggly between a boisterous outing of “Morning Glory” and “Everything’s Electric” from latest album “C’mon On Now”. He may be revered for his legendary Oasis hits but his solo material deserves credit too. Together they coalesce almost seamlessly giving the show a natural rhythm with many fans throwing their hands and drinks up with as much gusto for the lesser known solo songs.
Gallagher’s devotion to The Beatles peaked out with “Better Days” which features an interpolation from “Tomorrow Never Knows” before bringing the loved-up feeling back with “Stand By Me”. When Gallagher brusquely asked “Do we have any Oasis fans in here now? We know the tour now right?”, it almost felt like a test that Perth appeared to pass as they remained generally attentive as Gallagher dipped into deeper or more forgettable (depending your point of view) Oasis cuts with “Roll It Over” and “Slide Away”. An outing of “Soul Love” and new song “More Power” dialled back the mayhem allowing Gallagher to flex his limited vocal range which sounded tighter than a drum in spots.
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Liam Gallagher // Photo – Six Strings Photography
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Liam Gallagher // Photo – Six Strings Photography
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Liam Gallagher // Photo – Six Strings Photography
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Still, Gallagher is a shrewd performer knowing how to work a crowd and get the most by appearing to do the least. Heading into the home straight it was a bevy of Oasis hits and fans loved him for it. Louder than any victorious premier league crowd, grown men bounced on their feet and swung their arms around each other as “Cigarettes & Alcohol”, “Wonderwall” and “Live Forever” rumbled around the stadium. It was messy, loud and a little dangerous but that was the whole point and after two years of being ultra careful, it felt like an emotional catharsis.
Finishing off the night where it all began with “Supersonic”, Gallagher arose triumphantly. Even as the Mancunian prowled around the stage with aloofness he still cares deeply about Oasis’ legacy. So as he reached the pinnacle of closer “Champagne Supernova” bellowing with fans “But You and I, we live and die. The world’s still spinning round, we don’t know why” they was a sense that we are still all in this together.
4/5 Stars
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Liam Gallagher // Photo – Six Strings Photography
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Liam Gallagher // Photo – Six Strings Photography
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Check out SIX STRING PHOTOGRAPHY’s full gallery of this event HERE
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Follow LIAM GALLAGHER
Twitter – Spotify – Facebook
Instagram – Website
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