March 26th, 2011

It’s exactly a year since Noel Gallagher graced the stage at the Royal Albert Hall to play for the Teenage Cancer Trust, and tonight he was in danger of upstaging his younger brother’s new band without even showing up. This was thanks to a video montage that highlighted some of the previous artists that had performed at the event, prompting huge cheers every time Noel appeared on the screen. Liam was quick to put everyone straight as soon as he arrived on stage after being introduced by Who legend Rodger Daltry. “This aint no fookin’ Noel Gallagher gig” he sniped. Looking every inch the rock star, Liam swaggered towards his microphone, draped in a sharp navy suede jacket, sporting that trademark shaggy barnet that he made the must-have hairstyle of the 90’s for his legion of devotees. Launching straight into Four Letter Word, it’s clear that this song was born to open gigs. Loud, confident, menacing and sounding even better than it does on the record, the roof of the Royal Albert Hall is prematurely torn off.