Review: Beady Eye In Newcastle

Rock ‘n’ roll badboy Liam Gallagher came to Newcastle last night to play his first gig in the city with his new band.

The Mancunian returned with his newly-formed group Beady Eye for the first time since Oasis spectacularly split.

Unlike most new bands, this one already has a flock of loyal disciples, most of whom are still coming to terms with losing Britain’s biggest group.

Beady Eye are Oasis, but without the man who wrote the songs which made them so popular. That is, of course, Liam’s brother, Noel.

But looking around the o2 Academy minutes before Beady Eye took to the stage last night, it’s as if nothing has changed. Fans chanted Liam’s name, lager flew everywhere, and The Stone Roses blared from the speakers as excitement grew and the temperature rose.

Then the band walked out to hysteria, and Liam saluted the crowd with a peace sign, before saying: “Hello Newcastle, it’s been a long time.”

But one thing was notably missing, some chap called Noel.

The first song, Four Letter Word, which was introduced by Liam with a few of his own, set the tone from the off. The crowd fed off its raucous, relentless and abrasive sound as Liam dissolved straight back into his trademark pose, leaning into the microphone with his hands behind his back.

Wearing a khaki jacket, blue jeans and white trainers, Liam seemed to be the only person in the 2,000 capacity arena not sweating as the heat was hiked up with each song.

As they played tracks from their debut album – Different Gear, Still Speeding – Liam’s passion for the songs became clear, as he attempted to banish any memory of Oasis.

Liam’s status as one of rock’s most iconic frontmen is undeniable. But what’s equally undeniable is the crowd would have given anything to hear him belt out just one more Oasis classic alongside his brother. I know I did.

After a mix of rowdy tunes and majestic ballads, the highlight being Kill for a Dream, Liam calmly walked off before an impatient crowd beckoned him back.

As the band played their grand finale – an impressive cover of World of Twist’s Sons of the Stage – Liam paused for a moment, looked to the balconies and flapped his jacket to let some air in.

The heat in the place had even got to one of the coolest men in the world.

Click here for a number of pictures from the gig.

Source: www.chroniclelive.co.uk