Liam Gallagher’s first night at Co-op Live proved why Oasis are still the best thing since sliced bread

VaselineJune 16, 2024

1 4 minutes read

Liam Gallagher’s first night at Co-op Live proved why Oasis are still the best thing since sliced bread

It is as good as a Manc; not to go over top right, but Liam Gallagher’s first night at the Co-op Live arena is comfortably up there with one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to.

We could end the review right there and we’re sure you’ll understand (we don’t think we need to explain why you see It certainly can played live in its entirety to a home crowd all these years later is so special), but we’ll go ahead anyway.

We could also spend time extolling the supports and how great they were, which is entirely true – there’s also a lot of understandable excitement about Liam’s son Gene Gallagher and the opening warm-up act, Villanelle – but honestly, we just want to relive last night.

It’s not hard to see why…

First, it is probably fair to start by saying that regardless of the palava when it first opened or rather fought, Co-op Live it is quite a sight to behold.

There are plenty of people targeting the ‘big black box’ which now sits right next to Manchester City’s stadium and the wider Etihad campus, but once you see it in the evening, lit up with its digital panels and especially in the bowl. That in itself is pretty impressive, it must be said.

Obviously the location felt right for such a massive blue and LG made sure to have his beloved football club represented on stage, however it further highlighted how this man could fill a room of almost any size .

While we waited for his arrival, while the roadies rolled back the years (literally) and recreated It certainly can album cover for the set, you couldn’t help but be amazed by the scale of it all as around 23,5000 people turned out to celebrate OasisTimeless debut album 30 years later.

Liam Oasis Gigs 2024 — People were jumping to rock classics and clapping for a ticking back clock before the concert even started. (Credit: **The Manc Audio**)

Liam Gallagher sure can gig — People were jumping to rock classics and clapping for a ticking back clock before the concert even started. (Credit: **The Manc Audio**)

And that was it: pure celebration. From the moment he kicked the arena into high gear with ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Star’, the place barely stopped bouncing except for the likes of ‘Whatever’ and ‘Half The World Away’ as they were too busy chorusing on those . moments.

He even dedicated the latter to his original singer and older brother Christmas, as well as tackling genres like “D’Yer Wanna Be a Spaceman?” and ‘Lock All The Doors’, which the older Gallagher has already pulled from the archives with the High Flying Birds – although it was interesting to see how the two versions differed.

We will always be envious of those who were there from the very beginning; for the Knebworth and Maine Road gigs, because we can only imagine how crazy the atmosphere must have been at its peak Britpopbut if this is the closest we’ll ever get to recreating it, we will absolute take him.

Getting to hear those “obscure” B-tracks from that seminal record was also a treat, mainly because, as was often the case with Oasis, they were just as popular as the official tracklisting, and it didn’t miss no verse Manchester never even got over their best band ever and probably never will.

liam gallagher dedication manchester — Liam Gallagher celebrated everything we know and love about rock and roll on his first night at Co-op Live. (Credit: *eat* *group*)

definitely maybe a 30 year tour — Liam Gallagher celebrated everything we know and love about rock and roll on his first night at Co-op Live. (Credit: *eat* *group*)

What made this concert even more amazing is the fact that I had just seen it Foo Fighters light up Emirates Old Trafford on Thursday and they knew they were playing at the same time again, we were all doing our best “sunshyiiiiiiine” but not even a part of us was wondering which was the better gig. I’m sorry Dave.

Does local prejudice play a large part in the wheel here? Absolute. Do we care a bit? Not even a little.

We’ve also seen Liam play his own stuff and some old favourites; I saw Noel fills Wythenshawe Park and plays as many Oasis songs as he likes, but nothing comes close to seeing the album that started it all being played in Manchester at its newest and biggest venue.

Liam said he wanted to ‘put this arena on the map’ before kicking off ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’ and he didn’t just do that, he blew the roof off. And this is an expensive roof…

Liam Gallagher Manchester Review first night — We’re not exaggerating when we say that Liam Gallagher at the Co-op Live Night One was a cultural moment for Manchester. (Credit: *eat*)

Liam Gallagher cigarettes and alcohol live at co-op live 2024 — We’re not exaggerating when we say that Liam Gallagher at the Co-op Live Night One was a cultural moment for Manchester. (Credit: *eat*)

More than that, the 51-year-old has proven two things: that’s why he’s one of the greatest leaders of all time, even if his voice isn’t quite as clear as it once was (it’s still one of the most distinct of on the planet), and that Oasis are still the best thing since sliced bread. The bee’s knees. Absolute b*****ks.

We’re not going to start arguing about where they fit among the all-time greats—we really do Liam Gallagher he himself would say, “Don’t talk crazy, it’s The Beatles” and so on – but we’re not sure we’ll ever be able to describe how much Oasis are intrinsically part of what makes Manchester what it is.

Making a reunion year after year is pretty pointless as we know it would take some extraordinary circumstances to make it happen, but all we’ll say is that at this point, Noel is just missing out on playing some of the most good shows you can. ever hope.

That being said, watching Liam Gallagher play Co-op Live his biggest gig ever was a privilege and until they both kiss and make up to give the fans what they want, we’re here for these nights nostalgic and best you think we will be. going to (What’s the story) Morning Glory? anniversary tour if this also happens.

Core memory type stuff.@liamgallagherfirst night at @TheCoopLive it was, as the man himself would say, BIBLICAL. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rJONZ1jG6I

— Danjo (@DannehJones) June 16, 2024