Gallaghers take the points in tour opener
Matt Connors
November 29, 2005


OASIS and Brisbane have a chequered match history. Back in 1998, the brothers Gallagher and co were at the end of an exhaustive world tour that reached an ugly nadir when Liam Gallagher - adopting the persona of a street-fighting man - was charged with assaulting a British backpacker. The incident grabbed headlines across the world and, although Oasis did perform the following night, their performance was dispirited and uninterested. Liam walked off stage mid-set and did not return.

Luckily, Oasis managed a stunning turnaround in 2002 when they played the Livid Festival, delivering a captivating performance that Noel Gallagher recently professed was one of their best on record.

Seemingly keen to bag another away win, Oasis were in spectacular fashion on the opening night of their latest Australian tour. A sea of swirling blue lights and the oscillating guitars of F---in' in the Bushes welcomed the swaggering five-piece on stage before they tore into the harmonic splendour of Turn Up the Sun and the anthemic Lyla from new album Don't Believe The Truth.

In a welcome return to songwriting form, new album cuts The Importance of Being Idle, Guess God Thinks I'm Abel and The Meaning of Soul smattered the set, most already sounding like Oasis classics. But with its tongue-in-cheek Stones reference, Mucky Fingers leapt out in the live setting, as Noel Gallagher took the vocals for a Dylan-esque, bluesy stomp.

The elder Gallagher proved equally impressive as he delivered B-sides The Masterplan and Acquiesce, and he stole the show from Liam with Don't Look Back in Anger, which he kindly dedicated to Australia's shit cricket team.

Dedications, it seems, were the order of the night. Oasis remembered kindred spirit George Best with Cigarettes & Alcohol, while Liam indicated he's still making amends for 1998 by delivering Bring It on Down for all the backpackers.

With a line-up featuring bassist Andy Bell (ex-Ride), guitarist Gem Archer and drummer Zak "Son of Ringo" Starkey, Oasis, at last, appeared comfortable in their own skin. Bell and Archer effectively fattened the sound, but it was gangly-armed powerhouse Starkey who dazzled with his wristy drumming as Oasis ploughed through hits Morning Glory, Wonderwall, Champagne Supernova and Rock'n'Roll Star.

With a blistering final encore of the Who's My Generation that featured a wild and woolly outro honed to a propulsive beat, Oasis left no doubt that they can still rack up some brilliant away wins. Brisbane 1, Oasis 2.

Oasis
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, November26. Horden Pavilion, Sydney, Monday and Tuesday (both sold out). Tickets: $72.90. Bookings: 132 849. Festival Hall, Melbourne, Thursday (tickets available) and Friday (sold out).Tickets: $72.90. Bookings: 136 100.

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