Ahh Oasis, how I have such a soft spot for you. The first time I heard Wonderwall, it gave me goosebumps and from then on I have been a [massive]* fan since 1995. Like every other fan of a music group you will have all the albums, collecting news paper clippings, photos (and before Internet) I use to buy a lot of 'TV Hits,' 'Q-Music magazine,' NME' and so forth just for any articles on Oasis and the famous 'Gallagher' brothers. Yes I admit I had posters, even a t-shirt with 'Oasis' on the front, but no..not a tattoo of the brothers (I was young at that time so obviously under age!..and a good idea NOT to get one of your favourite band!)..and yes I had a crush on Liam.
It has been 10+ years after and I still love them. Despite them breaking up and are respectively making their own music - Liam with Beady Eyes and Noel and his High Flying Birds. I have to admit that 'team Liam' it really hasn't had much of an 'oomph' for me, but team Noel, that guy is bloody brilliant! Musical and lyrical genius. I am sure he is up there with the rest of the great musicians out there, dead and alive.
Last night (Tuesday 9th October) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds performed at Lille's Aéronef. A mixture of French, English (and as quoted by Noel :"England's very far!") and an Australian (!)
Jake Bugg, an English musician was supporting Noel commenced the show with his folk-ish/country rock songs. In between his 'thank yous,' the audience were shouting "NOEL!!!!!" I was sure they just wanted Noel to come on rather than him (guys...let the dude perform.) Jake performed a few of his new songs, which I felt he was channelling Richard Ashcroft from the Verve and Oasis of course. He was good as well, but of course like everyone else couldn't wait to see the man himself - Noel...or what the French pronounced 'Noël.'
As Jake finished his song the audience cheered, the lights dimmed, while the crew/roadies dismantled, shifted, moved, sound checked microphones, guitars before Noel and his High Flying Birds arrived. The lights turned dark blue and everyone started cheering and whistling.
The first song, everyone started dancing, bobbing their heads and waving their hands in the air (like they just don't care) and singing..yes regardless of the language, people did singalong - especially the die-hard fans of Oasis/Noel...not that I am referring to anybody.
Noel sang a mixture from his solo album "Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds" and classic Oasis..and to jog your memory - Talk Tonight, Little by Little, Whatever, Don't Look Back in Anger...Ahh memories back in the days. A brief period where Noel was changing his guitar and a few people from the audience was firing random questions.
How are you feeling?
What'd you mean I'm feeling? Psychologically feeling, mentally feeling...I'm feeling good. Have you finished? (the person I couldn't hear what he/she was saying but said they were finished questioning him)..cause I've got a gig to do! Yup that person just got owned by Noel!
Noel finished with that awe-inspiring song "Don't Look Back in Anger." We were all hoping he would do an encore, nevertheless the crew started dismanteling the instruments. It was one of my friend's idea to stay a little longer, in hoping to catch a glimpse of Noel. Outside Aréonef we saw two black bus coaches, assuming that it was the bus driving the crew around France. We went there but of course noone was there yet, so we crossed the road and saw the crew, who were waiting for the truck to pick up the packed instruments. I asked one if they knew where Noel was...he didn't have a clue. So we waited around. We looked at every direction to see where he would leave.
One hour later I spotted one of the musicians walking on the overpass. I pointed out to my friends that there was one of the band members and I was assuming he would follow..indeed. We quietly crossed the road and as they were walking down the stairs, one of the members saw some 'people' with camera (us) - "no camera." Noel signed someone's ticket..looked at us..hesitated then said "alright, if it's necessary" and cheese! The four of us.
Lucky buggers we were, considering that they turned down the rest of the people.
I felt like a little kid with a new toy. I am over the moon as I got to met my idol for a brief moment.
I can die happy now.
*1995 - 2001 a massive fan. Of course I still am a fan, but not crazy to have my room covered (it was close though!).
i remember wellington in 1997 haha, had a pen but didn't write, had a photo but it was exposed- they were then the OASIS
ReplyDeletebut luck is with you in Lille with a photo with the good Oasis one hehe..
maybe he thought you were yoko ono...