Writing the review of this concert will not be easy. First, because I've never written one before, and second, because emotions and feelings are difficult for me to translate into text. How does one do it? I'll try to be pragmatic and recount the evening.
This concert is the rightful reward for the Heaton Park date in June 2020 canceled for well-known reasons. And what a reward it is. It is part of a quartet of massive dates, with the first three spread over three close days (Etihad + doubleheader at Knebworth), concluding at the end of the month with the other epic date at Hampden Park.
Tickets went on sale last October, meaning a long seven-month wait. But in reality, the wait for me has lasted two years, since the Milan date in February 2020. I chose Etihad over Knebworth for my innate passion for stadiums. And for stadium tours. Regretful? Absolutely Not! But of course, had it been possible, I would have happily done all four.
The atmosphere at the entrance is already wonderful, there are more bucket hats than phones, the queues at the bar, alas, are endless, and most of the crowd is already drunk. Of course! We sneak a peek at the setlist on social media, though I choose not to know it in advance, so I avoid it. And then it begins; they arrive, the supporting act, the great The Charlatans, yet another treasure of this massive musical heritage that is this city. Tim Burgess is in great form, platinum blonde, running up and down the stage photographing the audience, singing a total of 12 tracks. Well supported by the audience, I must say, but in my opinion, they aren't a stadium band and the sound, but honestly everything in general, suffers. Too dispersive. I definitely would have preferred the Kasabian, more in their element, who will perform a killer set at Knebworth. Even without Tom.
OK, here we are. We know it. We check the time. Almost 9 PM, it is still very much daylight. The weather is on our side, it too knows it cannot ruin such an evening.
The inevitable Champeones chant starts, followed by the equally inevitable Fucking in the bushes, preluding to the on-stage appearance.
A roar welcomes him, our rockstar, with his unmistakable parka, this time in a camouflage version, greeting us with his unmistakable YES MANCHESTAAAA.
And it all begins. First song Hello, always been one of my favorites, we are already all in a delirium, and the voice is indeed there.
Followed immediately by one of the many emotional moments: the dedication, before performing Rock N Roll Star, to his close friend Bonehead who was supposed to be there on stage with him and us, but has just started a round of therapies to treat a recently diagnosed tumor. He will be missed throughout the concert. His absence will be the only sour note. For this track, and a few others, I let myself be lifted by a random person next to me. From up there it is even more beautiful.
As Morning Glory kicks in, everything turns into an infernal pit, beer everywhere, colored smoke bombs, it is not easy to maintain the same position. We begin to jostle.
The part with the solo career tracks begins. I adore Wall Of Glass, but it’s Everything’s Electric, from the newly released album, that ignites the atmosphere. Truly excellent live performance and response from the audience.
Then comes a triptych for strong hearts: Stand By Me / Roll It Over and Slide Away. The latter made me believe for a moment that I was back in '96 listening to the live broadcast from Knebworth.
Special mention for Roll It Over, wonderful and the first time ever played live.
Another pleasant surprise is More Power, brand new, yet incredibly already sung by everyone. Excellent performance, surprising even an increasingly emotional Liam. After three more tracks, the end of the first part arrives, with one of my highlight moments, Once, 60 thousand lights, a constant sing-along, and final fireworks.
It's useless to try to hold back the tears.
After a brief pause, the encore begins, a sequence of 6 pieces for which any band today would sell their mother, father, and children.
The peak will be Live Forever and the grand finale with Champagne Supernova, unfortunately here without John Squire, who will instead be at Knebworth.
That final phrase on the refrain shouted by Liam "Not necessarily stoned but beautiful" kills us all, followed by more fireworks.
It's really over now. 7 months of waiting flew by just like that. 1 hour and 50 minutes of sheer enjoyment. Liam is visibly moved, hints at a bow, tries to kneel despite the well-known hip and back issues. Hand over heart. His city literally at his feet. Despite those who had written him off just a few years ago. All this 3 months away from his 50th birthday.
When the lights come on there's a moment when no one knows what to do. No one seems to want to leave. There's someone sitting on the ground, some staggering, some still singing. I do all three things at once. Nights like this should never end, by law. Or if they must, at least let them resume the next night.
Liam has once again proven to be truly the ultimate rockstar. He has managed to rise, restart, succeeded in attracting hordes of young people (there really were a lot), which is not so obvious, and given us faithful for 30 years exactly what we want from him and what he first wants for himself.
There is a line from the song More Power that I quote in closing this long review, to describe the evening:
This is what you came for.
Yes Liam, exactly so.
Setlist
Hello.
Rock n roll star
Morning Glory
Wall of glass.
Shockwave.
Why me, why not
Everything's Electric
Better days
Stand by me
Roll it over
Slide away
More power
C'mon you know
Diamond in the dark
The river
Once
Some might say
Cigarettes & alcohol
Supersonic
Wonderwall
Live forever
Champagne Supernova
Best moments
Once
Slide away
Champagne supernova
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