Well, this is certainly the biggest gig I am due to go to this year. I had not really been the world's
biggest Oasis fan over the years. Still, when a band this big are playing in the village (not exactly a
stereotypical picturesque Hampshire Village, more a Southampton/Eastleigh overspill that has it's
moments - particuarly my gaff, eh ladies!!!).In fact, I was probably looking forward to seeing
Babyshambles who were also on the bill a bit more than anything!!!
The day started with a couple of friends, a couple of cans and a Father Ted DVD at my place before setting
off to one of my local pubs ' The Two Brothers'. In the pub, one of my friends (I won't name and shame!)
had lost her ticket between my house and the pub. Luckily, after a search the offending ticket was found
under a crisp packet (there was a slight breeze that must have taken it there!).
We eventually left the pub about four-ish and turned up at the Rosebowl at about five-ish. When we got in
we saw the end of The Redwalls set. For some reason they looked very small on the large stage. I didn't
really hear enough of them to make any judgement or comments.
A few of us made the expedition to one of the (two)beer tents where all sorts of chaos and aggression was
going on. I think that the organisers had underestimated the amount of beer outlets required for such an
event. We eventually got back and caught the last few songs of The Stands. Pleasant enough, I can't say
that they really grabbed me but to be fair these big stages can be quite a tricky thing for up and coming
bands to play. Particuarly when no-one knows any of your songs.
Next up, Babyshambles. That doesn't look like Pete Doherty. That's The Coral. At last, some songs that
I know, at least. Perhaps, we speculated, with all the press that Babyshambles get these days, they were
moved up the bill. The Coral played an enjoyable set and the undoubted highlight was this years best
summer song 'In The Morning'.
I couldn't be bothered to go to the bar again so I settled at the left hand side of the stage waiting for
the next band. Big screens came down and the word ' Oasis' was written on them. This was the point that
we realised that Babyshambles were not on board (found out later that they cancelled after Doherty was
stuck in Paris - very unprofessional!). At 8-30 Oasis came onto the stage. It didn't take the seasoned
moshers of our group too long to get down to the front. Oasis played a selection of songs from latest
album ' Don't Believe The Truth' which I have to say I really like. Liam wore a long grey parka thing,
shades and a dodgy sun hat which one of my friends quipped 'If anyone else wore that sort of thing you'd
laugh, but he gets away with it 'coz he's got so much attitude'! I actually believe that Liam Gallagher
is often very wrongly underated. The amount of times people say that Noel is the talented one and all
that. I think that maybe the case in musical terms (although Liam has written a few songs now!), but
Liam is the star and Oasis would not be what they are without him.The rest of the band looked fairly
normal apart from the keyboard player who looked like Jesus! Liam brandished a tambourine for the entire
set. Highlights? It was all excellent. 'Lyla', 'Mucky Fingers' and 'The Importance Of Being Idle',
were the newies that really stood out. 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' and 'Rock'n'Roll Star', 'Wonderwall',
'Don't Look Back In Anger', 'What's The Story (Morning Glory)', all fantastic as the oldies.
Despite the ticket saying 'Crowd Surfers and Moshers will be ejected', it didn't seem to stop anyone. At
one point I got attacked by a girl's (who had been flashing her chest at the band and anyone else for
that matter), for want of a better word, chest, as she crowd surfed in my direction. Noel had a go and
rightly so, at the 'chavs' who were causing a few skirmishes at the other side of the front of stage area.
Liam had a go at Pete Doherty, calling him a 'f******* rent boy', for not turning up, and a jokey comment
about Craig David. And everything was as it should be.
Now I've always hated 'Champagne Supernova', so how come when Oasis played it I found myself singing along
with everyone else in the 35,000 strong crowd. Suffice to say, I can't bring myself to say that I hate it
anymore, it's an all time classic.
During the encore's Noel mentioned drummer Zak Starkey and how the rest of the band refer to him as his
dad, Ringo Starr. They ended the set with their take on The Who's 'My Generation' an hour and a half
after they had started. I can honestly say that in that time, I have been converted to being a committed
Oasis fan. I had seen them once before and not been very impressed, but it has to be said that bassist
Andy Bell and guitarist Gem Archer contribute very much to making Oasis a complete band. They are now
so much more than just Liam and Noel and some blokes.
We didn't hang about for long and managed to get back in time for last orders at The Two Brothers. It
was quite funny seeing the normally quiet West End, with all the punters and shuttle buses, resembling
West Ham after a match at 5-00pm. I have to say that the day very much surpassed all the expectations I
had and I, for one, hope that the Rosebowl puts on a few more gigs of similar status in the future.
Ric Mansell '05
