Legions of fans spilled out of packed trains at Haymarket, and others jumped off trams and buses to snap up bucket hats in a variety of colours.
The carnival atmosphere was amplified in packed streets by pipers and buskers blasting out Oasis classics such as She’s Electric and Shakermaker, tracks not even on the set list. The Gallagher brothers, behind a green flag displaying Erin Go Bragh in yellow lettering (Ireland Forever), walked out hand in hand like the last kings of Ireland greeting their Celtic cousins. The old tensions that were visible before the split have vanished, while a sense of joy emanating from the very life of the band is amplifying songs that are decades old and giving them new life for the post-90s generations.
After opening with Hello, Liam Gallagher wasted no time in telling the audience “Have we f-ing missed you man” expressing the sense of shared jubilation between the fans and their band, playing a first gig in the capital in fifteen years since splitting in 2009. Noel Gallagher looked effortlessly cool and relaxed behind a striking black Les Paul Standard. It was also the first time founding member Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs joined the group in Edinburgh since January 1996 for two shows at Ingliston. With three guitarists, including Gem Archer, the Oasis wall of sound was completed with Noel playing the still affecting lead hooks on their debut single Supersonic.
Bonehead’s broad smile says it all at the start of Some Might Say. Added to the moment is hearing Noel and Liam sing together again on the band’s first No.1 hit record, which is simply spine tingling. Oasis shows were never dull, but a shift has taken place that has made the brothers tighter than ever, and it benefits the songs. The only anger on display was directed at Edinburgh City Council. Liam took the opportunity to point out that over £1 billion will be brought into the city thanks to the three concerts. He said: “You (the people) won’t see any of it because the Lord Provost will be splitting it between his posh, ugly f-ing mates”.
Watching Noel and Bonehead line up together with acoustics for Half the World Away reminds us of that essential element, the B-sides that were every bit as good as the A-side. While Be Here Now, their third album, is often cited as the poor cousin of the first two, its stature has grown among a new troop of supporters who are enjoying the record without the baggage of the era in which it was released.
Huge expectations were on the band at the time, but the likes of Do’You Know What I Mean? and Stand By Me were among the most lively songs of the night, particularly the latter, which was emotionally charged with a stunning vocal from Liam, along with everyday images of council estates and family photos.
They finish the set with a driven Rock N’ Roll Star that sounds more Sex Pistols than ever, before encores featuring mass sing-alongs during Don’t Look Back In Anger and Wonderwall.
Liam Gallagher paid tribute to the fans “for sticking with them” over the years, saying: “It must be hard work,” referring to the long fall-out and the sense that it seemed unlike they would ever see Oasis together again. The descending riff to Champagne Supernova soon swamps around the stadium. Noel knows when to play and hold back and it’s between the epic solo and guitar work on this and beautiful simplicity of Live Forever that are among his best on lead. It all comes to an end too soon as an explosion of fireworks lights up the night sky. Liam bows down to the crowd and pats his brother on the back.
It’s a job well done, and their return to Scotland has been nothing short of triumphant.
