Noel Gallaghers live performance proves hes still flying high despite the ever-present shadow of Oasis

By Deputy Chief EditorMay 1, 2018

180 3 minutes read

Noel Gallagher still flying high despite the ever-present shadow of Oasis — Noel Gallaghers Wembley set proved that hes still flying high despite the ever present shadow of Oasis
(picture: Redferns, Backgrid)

Noel Gallagher has managed to do what has taken his younger brother a significantly longer amount of time to do: become more than his history with Oasis.

His third outing as part of Noel Gallaghers High-Flying Birds has been nothing short of phenomenal, notching up another number one – making it three for three in the album charts.

On Friday night he took centre stage at Londons iconic Wembley SSE in front of a sold-out crowd.

Powering through a set of material which relied very little on history, he punched through a list of songs from a post-Oasis career.

Highlights included recent hits Holy Mountain and Its A Beautiful World, which were performed with gusto and energy.

No sales or licencing after 60 days. Please withdraw on 21st June 2018. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO MERCHANDISING Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dan Reid/REX/Shutterstock (9641191f) Noel Gallagher High Flying Birds in concert, The Brighton Centre, UK - 22 Apr 2018 — Powering through a set of material which relied very little on history, he punched through a list of songs from a post-Oasis career (Picture: Dan Reid/REX/Shutterstock)

And its a credit to Noel that his performances dont rely on foundations of his time in Oasis.

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It didnt actually take him a considerable amount of time to move on from the break-up, given that the High-Flying Birds debut burst onto the scene just under three years after the Brit pop icons imploded.

The band are still at the heart of British rock, influencing untold numbers including the likes of Kasabian and Blossoms, and have an enduring history.

That history may have proved problematic for anyone else given that the shadow of Oasis has constantly tracked Noel, even as recent as this year the bands much-wanted reunion continues to be headline hitting material.

His younger brother and ex-bandmate Liam dredged up their feud as well as the break-up of the band at the end of February, accusing Noels wife of being the reason the group no longer existed.

Shes the reason OASIS is no longer have to put it out there shes DARK [sic], he tweeted during a blow-up on social media.

In fact, last year Oasis were continuously linked to playing a one-off gig in Manchester in the wake of the MEN bombing, something Noel repeatedly denied, but was seemingly fuelled by Liam.

Again the question of a reunion was raised once more this year in January when Lima revealed hes previously tried to resurrect the band under their former moniker The Rain – which would have allowed him to exclude Noel.

BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 16: Singer-songwriter Noel Gallagher performs live on stage during a concert at Max-Schmeling Hall on April 16, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Hoederath/Redferns) ***BESTPIX*** — Staying away from relying on Brit pop hits he powered through a crowd pleasing set that is likely to be a pleaser on all stops of his UK tour this May (Picture: Stefan Hoederath/Redferns)

This constant speculation and churn of gossip could threaten to exasperate any musician, but Noel and his live performances prove that he can soar well and truly above the shadow of Oasis.

Not turning away – or indeed looking back in anger – at the past, he embraced Oasis and in his set on Friday night and had the crowd singing along to the likes of Little By Little, The Importance of Being Idle, Half the World Away, and Dont Look Back In Anger.

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Noel Gallagher And The High-Flying Birds continue their UK tour across the next month, playing Birmingham tonight, Newcastle on Wednesday, and a sold-out show at the Machester MEN on Thursday.