"I'M TAKING YOU FOR A WALK"

"I'M TAKING YOU FOR A WALK"

I’m still flabbergasted that Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds was free of other commitments on Saturday night to take the Green Stage headline spot that had been left unannounced for so long.

As such, I decided that instead of me telling you exactly how the former Oasis guitarist sounded during his set, it might be a tad more impartial to let the Mancunian speak for himself.

These are the comments he made to the crowd that I jotted down in my notebook during Gallagher’s one-and-a-half hour set:

  • “Will you marry me? (confirming a question from a woman in the crowd) I’m already married. Gee, I love this place. (Something something something) second wife.”
  • “I’m taking you for a walk.”
  • “What a weird cult.”
  • “Would you like a tasty beverage to wash that down?”
  • “How do you live here with these ****** bugs?”
  • “It might be the only time I get to play with you (Speaking to someone offstage). No, he’s ****** off. My own brother.”

To be honest I’m not entirely sure I heard that last exchange correctly, but rumors have been flying around the festival for a couple of days that the two Gallagher brothers were actually planning a reunion of sorts during Noel’s set on Saturday (hence the “coincidental” billing at Fuji Rock over the weekend). The short answer is that it didn’t happen.

And so what did the fans think? Here’s a selection of opinions from a few of those who watched the show:

  • “Entertaining as usual.” – Gary, 37, England
  • “I thought (the show) was cool.” – Yuki, 25, Tokyo
  • “I saw Oasis 15 years ago in Yokohama. I like Noel Gallagher because I don’t think he’s very good at English. His lyrics are simple and have the same repetitive phrase, so it’s easy to sing.” – Keichiro, 32, Tokyo
  • “Amazing. Very cool.” – Yuka, 23, Tokyo
  • “Excellent show. I haven’t heard his new stuff but I was highly impressed.” – Tom, 39, Sheffield
  • “The show was OK. It seemed like he was in a bad mood. He said this is the first time he’s ever headlined a festival (as a solo artist). Maybe he hasn’t gotten used to it yet.” – Paul, 33, Coventry
  • “The show was a reasonable Oasis B-side.” – David, born in 1974, Melbourne
  • “I’ve always liked him. I grew up in Manchester and was 13 in 1994 (when Oasis was big). Obviously, it was either like him or get beaten up. To be honest, I’m going to see Buddy Guy.” – Ali, 30, Manchester

And there you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth. I actually couldn’t have said it better myself…

Photo by 森リョータ  For more photos, go here.

Set List

  • (It’s Good) To Be Free
  • Mucky Fingers
  • Everybody’s On The Run
  • Dream On
  • If I Had A Gun
  • The Good Rebel
  • The Death of You & Me
  • Freaky Teeth
  • Supersonic
  • (I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine
  • AKA… What A Life!
  • Talk Tonight
  • Soldier Boys And Jesus Freaks
  • AKA… Broken Arrow
  • Half The World Away
  • (Stranded On) The Wrong Beach

Encore:

  • Let The Lord Shine A Light
  • Little By Little
  • Whatever
  • Don’t Look Back In Anger (everyone in the audience knew this one!)