MANCHESTER - Bonehead said "It was a special moment for me, probably my best feeling on a stage ever".
There's a poster on the Manchester Academy’s Hall of Fame which marks Oasis’ appearance at the venue on their way to world domination.
In those heady days of 1994, Liam Gallagher probably never thought he’d end up back here climbing the ladder with his new outfit, Beady Eye.
But although Oasis may be over, and the venues may be smaller, the cult of Liam lives on.
The excitement of having the Burnage boy back in town, and on his own patch, is palpable, and he delivers a masterclass in how to work a crowd.
As he strides out on stage with his stereotypical swagger, hundreds of adoring fans crush to the front. The fact he just stands and stares only works them into more of a frenzy.
But what will have pleased him most was the joyous reaction to the opening song of the night, Flick of the Finger, from their latest album BE.
The psychedelic Soul Love and Second Bite of the Apple are similarly well-received, before the punchy Iz Rite and Shine a Light allow him to show off his trademark snarl.
This may be the Liam show, but the musicianship on display from the rest of the band, particularly guitarists Andy Bell and Gem Archer, is impressive and gives Liam a platform to shine.
The night takes a nostalgic turn when former Oasis guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs appears on stage for an acoustic version of Live Forever.
‘Help us out if you know the words’ Liam says, and the crowd duly obliges.
A full-throttle Cigarettes & Alcohol sparks beer-throwing bedlam before more mellow sing-alongs to The Roller and Bring the Light.
A surprise cover of The Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter wraps up a triumphant homecoming for Liam, before the sweaty masses pour out into the night.
***** 5 stars
***** 5 stars
Liam: "Manchester top of the league LG x".
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