Underneath the Castle Skies
So last night (July 21st 2024) we made the trip down south, to Warwick and more specifically Warwick Castle. To watch there music legends. Three guitar icons. Graham Coxon, Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher.
We only managed to catch a little bit of Coxon’s set. Performing with relatively new outfit The Waeve, a far cry from the hedonism of Blur, yet still with the freedom to do what he does best.
Johnny was up next and we caught all of his set. It was a real mix of solo songs, Smiths covers and even a Hacienda classic.
The solo stuff stands up alongside the classics. ‘Generate Generate’ was a brilliant addition to the set and latest single ‘Somewhere’ slotted in alongside The Smiths back catalogue.
No matter the circumstances, ‘This Charming Man’ never fails to bring the house down. It’s one of this countries defining indie anthems. Watching Johnny play it is always special. Still he makes that guitar riff look effortless.
The acoustic version of ‘Please Please let Me Get I What I Want’ made for a welcomed change of pace and encouraged a mass sing along. It’s one of The Smiths most under appreciated efforts, and Warwick gave it the love that it deserves.
‘How Soon is Now’ sounds as good now as it did all way back in 1984. It sounds like it’s from the future, and when Johnny plays that riff, you know you’re in for something special.
A slowed down version of the Electronic hit ‘Getting Away With It’ followed next, before the set was ended with another indie classic. A beautifully sung rendition of ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.’
Now onto the main event.
Those of you who have seen Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds on their most recent tours will know that the show is split into two. The first half is for the High Flying Birds journey and the second, well that’s full of Oasis bangers.
Opening the show last night were four songs from Noel’s latest solo record ‘Council Skies’ which received a very good reception, from the 15,000 strong Warwick crowd.
The show then goes through the back catalogue of the High Flying Birds, playing the classics from the back catalogue. ‘If I Had a Gun’ elevated the crowd into another gear. It’s one of the great sing along moments at a Noel Gallagher gig, and last night was no different.
‘You Know We Can’t Go Back’ has made a welcomed return to the set. After a few years away. This was really well received with punters including myself. It’s one of his very best solo tunes. ‘AKA What A Life’ was dedicated to all Manchester City fans, and elevated the crowd again. In my opinion it’s his greatest moment as a solo artist.
Ending the High Flying Birds set, was a rather intimate moment. Noel, an acoustic guitar and a keyboard. To play a song that some argue is one of his very best, ever. ‘Dead in the Water’ away from all of the chaos and Oasis reunion shouts. We are all reminded that Noel’s at his best with an acoustic guitar. There’s no one quite like him in that regard.
The band return to stage, as Noel beckons to the audience, this is what they’ve been waiting for. He’s self aware and knows these songs that will come, have become part of people’s lives and in some cases part of the furniture in Britain
A run of Oasis B-Sides that would rival most other bands singles follows. We get ‘Talk Tonight’, ‘Going Nowhere’ ‘Half the World Away’ and ‘The Masterplan’
Alongside these B-Sides fans were treated to ‘Whatever’ and an amped up version of ‘Little By Little’ which never fails to impress. ‘Little By Little’ especially takes on a whole new different feeling live. It’s still one of Noel’s best.
That brought the main set to an end, but there’s always time for an encore. This one was a good one. A song from the first three Oasis albums. Starting with ‘Be Here Now’
Noel has bought ‘Stand By Me’ back for this tour.
Next it was back to 1994, and to ‘Definitely Maybe’ and more specifically the third song on that album. ‘Live Forever’ Noel gives the song a new lease of life. With a rather wistful melancholic version, sung by a man looking back rather than the man in his 20s looking forward. It’s a beautiful moment in the show.
As a bunch of kids and teenagers sing those words back at him like their lives depend on it. Most of which weren’t even born when the song came out. All those years ago. Myself included.
A Noel Gallagher show always ends in the same way, it has done since 2011. If it isn’t broke don’t fix it. And well judging by this next video, it definitely isn’t broke.
‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ will always make us sing. In pubs, in club, at weddings, on the terraces and in fields. It’s a song that has united us all. A real anthem of the people.
In the last month, I’ve watched both of the brothers Gallagher. Liam in Manchester and Noel in Warwick. Both were amazing gigs, and we all have our personal preferences. I’ll say this though.
Liam was great and getting to hear that first Oasis album in full was spectacular. However I couldn’t help but feel that he still thinks he’s got a point to prove. He really doesn’t, those songs will stand the test of time, and the world knows what a great front man he is. Noel on the other hand, will happily play an hour of solo stuff, and know that the back catalogue will do the rest. One seems quite content, the other not so much.
Thank you for reading x