NOEL GALLAGHER        

Teenage Cancer Trust        Royal Albert Hall

Brown corduroy suit jacket, black shirt and armed with the now trade mark Gibson J 200 acoustic guitar and a set list consisting of some of the best songs recorded over the last ten to thirteen years, there wasn’t need for introductions and its head first into “(It’s good) to be free”.  Noel seemed to feel more than at home on his new ventures and it wasn’t until “Talk tonight” and a beautiful “Fade Away” had passed that he felt the need to address the night’s splendour.

“Cast No Shadow” and “Half a world away” that encouraged the cavernous venue into voice was followed by the stomp of “The Importance of Being Idle” triggering the first of the dances in the aisles. Then “some what predictably” according to Noel the stage was graced by another British music Icon in the shape of Mr Paul Weller and as you would expect the Albert Hall was once again upstanding amongst the thunderous applause. It was The Jam’s “Butterfly collector” and a cover of The Beatles “All you need is love” that filled the hall with quite a feeling of euphoria. Paul Weller ruffling Noel’s barnet and laughing on exiting the stage really set the tone for the evening and it wasn’t long before we were treated to an unusual treat off the “Be Here Now” album in the shape of “Don’t Go Away”.

The stage now boasting a casually dressed all female string octet accompanied by one of Britain’s best singer songwriters and the precise “mushroom controlled” acoustics of the Albert Hall built an evening that will definitely make this a, “I was there” occasion. Noel advised the Hall that “for those of you that had a record player in 94 will know this if you didn’t you missed out ” just before a moving “Sad Song” helped along wonderfully by the string accompaniment. The opening to “Wonderwall” sent the Albert Hall deeper into trance and a beautiful “Slide Away” (dedicated to Noel’s girlfriend) thanks largely to the strings provided closed the set amazingly leaving the Albert Hall in Goosebumps.

The encore is opened with Noel describing The Smiths “There is a light that never goes out” as one of his favourite songs and after his rendition I think there maybe a few more people of the same opinion. “Don’t look back in Anger” and the crowds sing along forces the mushroom clad ceiling of the hall to hold its own and it’s a chirpy “Married with Children” that closes the encore.

Those in the knowledge of Noel’s set in Moscow remain seated for the shows closing song “Strawberry Fields”. With people scurrying back to their seats its only seconds in before Gem seems to flick his plectrum at Noel resulting in him stopping the tune to control his giggles (not something you’d expect of his little brother) I’m sure. Noel play fighting with Gem as they leave stage triggers the end of another TCT show that will live long in the memory for everyone involved.

by Neil