We’re still in the bar when The La’s come on. They sound like justanotherindieband – mates of Oasis, maybe, we thought. Mystery guests, see. Then they play ‘There She Goes’, we realise who they are and run in to witness their one timeless pop moment. Then they play some other songs, which aren’t ‘There She Goes’. The La’s have been listening to The Who. Quite a lot, actually. They even cover ‘My Generation’. Unfortunately, the rest of the set consists of eight-minute wanky trebly tremolo tantrums. Sorry lads, but we won’t get fooled again.
Another mystery band. Fuck, it’s Ride! Now yer talking. Andy Bell looks drop-dead cool with his flares/violin bow ensemble and Mark Gardner has perfected his “indie Jim Morrison” look. But our indie heroes have all grown up and Ride are no exception: they’re ROCK STARS now. Playing to an away crowd, they opt for a greatest hits 1989-94 selection – ‘Leave Them All Behind’ opening the set, ‘Seagull’ reminding us why we all loved ‘Nowhere’, and an intense, searing, um, driving ‘Drive Blind’ leaving us gagging for more. So they give us Billy Liar’s ‘Twistarella’ and The Stones’ ‘I Don’t Know Where It Comes From’. Hurrah! Beat that, Oasis…
So do they? Well, they come on to Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ (irony, I guess). They play ‘Definitely Maybe’ in a different order. Noel does his Dando-esque acoustic bit, to mixed reactions. They’re in good spirits, and Liam is undoubtedly the insouciant frontman. Highlights? All or nothing, depending on your point of view. Oasis are Oasis are Oasis. Ok then, ‘Slide Away’ is a phenomenal masterpiece and ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’ second time round fair blows the roof off. Happy now? Oasis rocked Brighton’s world tonight, but not mine. ‘Supersonic’, nonetheless, I suppose.
Setlist (from Setlist.fm):
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’
‘Columbia’
‘Fade Away’
‘Digsy’s Dinner’
‘Shakermaker’
‘Live Forever’
‘Bring It On Down’
‘Up In The Sky’
‘Slide Away’
‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’
‘Married With Children’
Noel Gallagher’s Acoustic Set
‘Take Me Away’
‘Talk Tonight’
‘D’Yer Wanna Be a Spaceman?’
Rest of Electric Set
‘Whatever (Ending with All The Young Dudes)’
‘Supersonic’
‘I Am the Walrus’
Encore
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’
WORDS BY CHARLIE IVENS (AT THE TIME OF THE GIG)
