After just a mere 30 years, Liam Gallagher showed the world he’s every inch still a rock ‘n’ roll star as he kicked off the Definitely Maybe anniversary tour in Sheffield.
Late Saturday afternoon, the sunshine lit up the Steel City with fans enjoying their pre-gig libations outside Sheffield Utilita Arena’s neighbouring pub The Noose and Gibbet. In a comical misjudgement, the vendors, on the surrounding streets, selling cowboy hats, furry tassels and wands, were packing up early after failing to shift their wares. Instead, the bucket hat sellers were doing a killing, there was a strong sense LG might have approved of this balance to the equilibrium.
As the thousands made their way across to the arena, Sheffield having been chosen as the perfect place to start Liam’s tour celebrating album Definitely Maybe, they were head-to-toe in the standard issue uniform. Parkers, Pretty Green and some Manchester City shirts – all topped off with their newly-acquired headwear.
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Of course, you couldn’t go very far without spotting some kind of Oasis attire or merchandise either. It was a big night honouring one of the UK’s most important bands. There might have been a guest missing, in terms of Liam’s brother Noel, but that was never going to spoil the party.
Inside, it was still very much a family affair with Liam’s son Gene’s band Villanelle beginning the festivities. No doubt, Liam was somewhere looking on, as proud dad, seeing Gene bring a little of that trademark Gallagher swagger and charm to the stage. Support also came from Oasis’ Britpop contemporaries Cast with them performing hits Walkaway, Fine Time and Alright.
Frontman John Power couldn’t hide his excitement at later being able to see the debut of the Definitely Maybe tour. Proclaiming: “We were there when this was all happening and it was something else.”
Well, in some form, the thousands packed into the Sheffield venue were taken back there. As the excitement built, a ticker began, starting at 2024 and working its way all the way back to 1994. Many in the standing section were visibly seen to be acting younger and younger as their inhibitions loosened (many fuelled by alcohol…and possibly even cigarettes).
Once the ticker completed its 30-year cycle, there was no messing around with Liam strutting to centre stage, a backdrop of iconic photos and images of the Oasis frontman flashing on screens behind, as he belted into Rock ‘n’ Roll Star – it was the opening many would have dreamt of.
Liam’s arched-back snarl was present and correct. Throughout the evening there were no complaints, at all, with his vocals as he fiercely offered up hit after hit to his adoring masses at the sold out arena.
The album tracklist order was tweaked a little with special treats chucked in for good measure. For an Oasis aficionado, some might say, it was just heavenly or as the revered frontman would likely put it, ‘biblical’.
In fact, he addressed the crowd with that wit of his, by stating: “We haven’t got any f**king new ones for you so it’s going to have to do.” As the set progressed, those subtle references to the missing brother grew. Liam, 51, later made a dedication before performing Noel-led Half The World Away for the first time live – it felt like a ‘moment’ for many.
Other dedications came to former Oasis bandmate Bonehead, accompanying Liam on the nostalgic tour, and to the ‘f**king flamingos’ making up the stage decor alongside palm trees, a nod to his beloved Man City, a retro TV and a spinning inflatable globe.
From front to back, the arena pulsated with energy through the run of Whatever to the main set closer Married With Children. Pints flew in the air with every word bellowed back at the era-defining frontman with overwhelming enthusiasm. You do wonder just where the barometer will go to should Liam and Noel ever repair their rift and tour again.
There were yet more flying pints for the encore’s terrific trio of Supersonic, Slide Away and Live Forever – the response was raucous to each. The latter featuring images of iconic musicians, no longer with us, on screens. Elvis, Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon all made an appearance.
Lennon receiving his own tribute when Liam and his band returned for a second encore (don’t be sneaking off early!) to perform a touching rendition of I Am the Walrus. The Beatles, of course, playing a significant role in the early years of Oasis.
Chucking a tambourine and maracas into the crowd, Liam left with that unique flail of his. Before his exit, he proclaimed: “Sheffield. Nice one for coming out. I hope you enjoyed yourselves, it has been too f**king long.”
You would suspect many might be making the trip across Yorkshire to see their idol headline Leeds Festival this August. Failing that, perhaps everyone can meet again (with Noel in-tow?) for the (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? 30th anniversary bash?
Setlist
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Star
- Columbia
- Shakermaker
- Up in the Sky
- Digsy’s Dinner
- Bring It On Down
- Cloudburst
- I Will Believe
- Half the World Away
- D’Yer Wanna Be a Spaceman?
- Fade Away
- Lock All the Doors
- (It’s Good) To Be Free
- Whatever
- Cigarettes & Alcohol
- Married With Children
Encore
- Supersonic
- Slide Away
- Live Forever
Second encore
- I Am the Walrus
If you’d like to see Liam Gallagher on tour you can buy tickets for their remaining tour dates through Ticketmaster.
You can find the latest family fun in Yorkshire and nearby by visiting our What’s On homepage. There you can also find days out guides for things to do across the region.
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