“I Had No Trouble Going Back There” stated Liam Gallagher in the Knebworth22 documentary, referring to Oasis’ era defining gigs in 1996; and over the course of two triumphant nights, Liam showed exactly why he is the last great rocknroll star and complete his comeback as a musical icon.
With all 170,000 tickets selling out in an instant, the gigs at Knebworth were the highlight of live music in England last year and that is captured here in all its glory.
From the roar of approval that greets Liam as he acknowledges the crowd with “Knebworth I am he, you are he, you are me and we are all together” and bursting into Hello and the iconic Rocknroll star (dedicated to Bonehead), Liam, to borrow the laters lyrics has the passionate crowd “in his (my) hands tonight”.
Listening back to this album, I personally like the mix of solo material to Oasis classics. The run of solo tracks in Wall of Glass, Shockwave and Everything’s Electric, demonstrate exactly why Liam’s solo career has been so successful (all 3 Studio albums reaching number 1): it’s direct and no holes bared rocknroll.
The one surprise in the set is Roll It Over, which closed Oasis’ fourth studio album, Standing on The Shoulder of Giants. It’s never been played live and based on this performance you have to wonder why. Liam’s vocal is full of unadulterated passion and the use of the choir on the song elevates the track to biblical proportions. It’s a stunning moment in the set.
“So we recorded the Knebworth gigs we did last year. We all sound Biblical, turn it up ENJOY, LGx.”
Liam’s tender vocal shines through on Once and Slide Away (dedicated to his partner Debbie Gwyther), with the outro guitar solo on the later a pure psychedelic odyssey.
With the half way point of the set concentrating on songs from Liam’s 3 solo albums, More Power, C’Mon You Know, and the glam rock stomper The River, it’s a chance to catch a breath before the encore which is full of Oasis classics.
Cigarettes & Alcohol, sounds electric and is still the biggest cultural statement of the last 30 years. Some Might Say, is full of swagger and Supersonic, is attacked in a way that only Liam could. Wonderwall ensured a mass singalong, with Liam basking in the moment of the crowd singing back the chorus. Just like he did in 96, Stone Roses legend, John Squire played a celestial solo on Champagne Supernova, that combined with Liam’s passionate vocal elevates this track to an even higher high than before.
Knebworth22 sees Liam Gallagher at his swaggering snarling best. It’s a triumphant performance that sees each track delivered at 100mph and defiantly captures the essence of Liam Gallagher as the last great rocknroll star.
Knebworth22 is available to pre-order now ahead of its release on 11th August.
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