THE FAMILY

Sitting on a chair, strumming an acoustic guitar, singing his songs, Noel Gallagher of Oasis sees his bandmate, guitarist and organist Gem Archer, to his right and Terry Kirkbride on sleigh-bell percussion and snare drum to his left. On a promotional tour for the greatest-hits album Stop the Clocks, there is no sight of Liam Gallagher, the lead singer of the star British rock act. Liam and Noel -- arm's-length brothers -- don't do press together, and the "unplugged" setting of Toronto's Music Hall is ill suited for Liam's swagger. Still, while there's no hint of a split, the concert offers glimpses of an Oasis led solely by principal songwriter Noel.

THE FILM

Before the performance, a boisterous crowd was treated to a screening of Lord Don't Slow Me Down, a road-tour documentary with a meaningless title. Shot in black and white, the film tamely follows Oasis on a 2005 world tour, offering loud snippets of onstage rocking and G-rated looks at backstage rolling. Set to be released on DVD next year, the movie eventually narrows in on the volatile nature of the band's breadwinning siblings. Telling moments see a hyper-assured Liam sneering on Rock 'n' Roll Star, with Noel softly singing Don't Look Back in Anger.

THE FANS

A small venue has relegated many of the band's faithful to their living rooms, presumably with radios set to a live broadcast. One persevering young chap, who paid $250 for the privilege of sharing a row with reporters, says he would have paid double if needed. Asked if he would have done the same to see Liam instead of brother Noel, the poster-clutching fanatic hesitantly admits, "Probably not." Highly refreshed yahoos yell for songs, but Gallagher sticks to the set list, telling the shouters their requests are futile. B-sides, non-album treats and songs originally sung by Noel are stressed.

THE FUTURE

Gallagher is a capable front man; his voice on the Kinksian The Importance of Being Idle or the hit Wonderwall is more pleasant than Liam's grating snarl. Stripped of the blurry electric guitars, the sing-along Brit pop is similar from one song to the next. Things are tame -- too tame. What's needed is tension, some dynamism -- a rock star, there's an idea. Clearly, just as no man is an island, no single Gallagher is an Oasis.

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