LIVE REVIEW: Liam Gallagher Rocks Belfast’s SSE Arena

LIVE REVIEW: Liam Gallagher Rocks Belfast's SSE Arena 1
Photo credit - Clair McAllister

The last time Rock icon Liam Gallagher played in Belfast was 2011 with the now-defunct Beady Eye, and a lot has happened since then. After spending a few years in the Rock N Roll wilderness, Liam returned this year with his first solo album As You Were – one of the biggest albums of the year, having exceeded 100,000 first week sales and out-selling the rest of the Top 20 combined. It is also the UK’s biggest selling vinyl of the past 20 years. Liam initially announced an intimate show in Belfast’s Ulster Hall, but due to ‘phenomenal demand’, the gig was ‘upgraded’ to the larger SSE Arena which sold out immediately.

After a great choice of support provided by Kyle Falconer from The View, and Irish band The Strypes, Liam Gallagher swaggered on stage. He launched straight into the Oasis classic Rock N Roll Star, quickly followed by Morning Glory, which received a rapturous roar from the adoring Belfast crowd. I have never seen such an atmosphere in the SSE Arena it was incredible! Liam’s voice sounded better than it has in years, and his band was on top form. He recently promised that he would be playing Oasis songs mixed in with songs from his recent hit album As You Were, and he didn’t disappoint.

LIVE REVIEW: Liam Gallagher Rocks Belfast's SSE Arena
Photo credit – Clair McAllister

The Oasis songs fitted in seamlessly with Liam’s first solo singles Wall Of Glass and his first solo anthem For What It’s Worth, but the Oasis songs always got the biggest response from the highly excitable Belfast crowd. Some Might Say and Slide Away preceded the Liam penned song Out of Time, which was dusted off and performed for the first time since the Oasis split. Cigarettes and Alcohol followed it, Be Here Now, and solo album highlights Come Back to Me and You Better Run.

LIVE REVIEW: Liam Gallagher Rocks Belfast's SSE Arena
Photo credit – Clair McAllister

After a short break, Liam Gallagher and his band returned to the stage for a 3 song encore which included Oasis’ first single Supersonic; I’ve All I Need (coincidently Liam recently said the seeds of this song was written in Belfast) with the classic anthem Live Forever closing off an amazing night. Liam Gallagher walked off stage to the sound of Belfast fans singing along to Live forever as they left the venue, knowing it won’t be long until he returns to the North, as he will be back headlining his largest ever Belfast solo show at Belsonic in Ormeau Park on Saturday, June 16, next year. As You Were Belfast.

LIVE REVIEW: Liam Gallagher Rocks Belfast's SSE Arena
Photo credit – Clair McAllister

Liam Gallagher’s setlist was:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Star (Oasis song)
Morning Glory (Oasis song)
Greedy Soul
Wall of Glass
For What It’s Worth
Bold
Paper Crown
Some Might Say (Oasis song)
Slide Away (Oasis song)
I’m Outta Time(Oasis song) (First time by Liam since 2009)
Come Back to Me
You Better Run
Cigarettes & Alcohol (Oasis song)
Be Here Now (Oasis song)
Encore:
Supersonic (Oasis song) (First time by Liam since 2009)
I’ve All I Need
Live Forever (Oasis song)

 

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

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