Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds polish off a busy year in fine style.

COUNCIL SKIES

After the release of the critically acclaimed Council Skies back in June 2023, Noel and the rest of the High Flying Birds – Gem Archer, Jessica Greenfield, Russell Pritchard, Mike Rowe, Chris Sharrock and Roxy Roxy Roxy (Piney Gir, Emma Brammer and Amy Ashworth) – have been busy travelling the world. It is perhaps fitting that 2023 is brought to a close to a city that is certainly close to  the frontman’s heart, in musical if not football terms. As he makes clear tonight.

Noel Gallagher & The High Flying Birds take to the florally decorated stage and take their respective places. The show starts with the second track track from the bands most recent release, Pretty Boy, and is succeeded by the albums title track. Unsurprisingly, Council Skies tracks feature heavily in the show and are brought out early. They may not have quite same audience response as some of the later tracks played tonight – which have sound tracked many of our lives – but they are lapped up by the crowd nonetheless.

The latest material stands up well and is in no way out of place in a setlist littered with classics. These latest songs are the sounds of a songwriter with nothing left to prove, reaching a level of maturity befitting of his experience. And supported by an incredible band.

Taking a step back in time, we are served up what is effectively a mini best-of NGHFB set. Many, though not all (as there are now four NGHFB albums to pick from), of the crowd pleasers get an airing and this segment of the set climaxes in what could well be the High Flying Birds signature song, the iconic and pulsating AKA… What a Life! 

As the rest of the band leave the stage, Gallagher is left to perform an almost solo acoustic version of Dead In The Water, (accompanied just by Rowe). The night sea view and moon stage backdrop create a magical setting and perhaps reminds us of the journey that Noel has taken us on over many years: its now later in the day and there is now a calmness and certainty after some choppy waters. But we are now in a happy place.

This song, with audience singalong, is spellbinding stuff. Now I wouldn’t want to do any of this fantastic band out of a job. What a band they are. But hearing Noel like this, stripped back, makes you think: just how good would a Noel Gallagher acoustic tour be? One day? Maybe. You never know.

THE CHIEF

Having been writing, singing and touring for more than half of his life, The Chief has probably learned a thing or two about how to please a crowd. It’s therefore no surprise that the remaining tracks (with the exception of a cover of Bob Dylan’s Quinn The Eskimo, the first song of the encore) are backloaded with songs – scrap that, ‘anthems’ – from one of the greatest back catalogues in the history of British music and his former band. 

For most acts at this stage of their career, rolling out three early B-Sides may well be a treat for the die-hards, but would likely see a rush at the bar for average punter. Obviously, that isn’t the case here as the B-sides, which are probably better known than most bands most successful singles, are Going Nowhere, The Masterplan and Half The World Away. 

Beyond B-sides it’s probably fair to say that Noel has plenty of well known, and successful, singles to cherry pick from too. And tonight, as with the rest of the tour, the U.K. number one and two respectively, The Importance of Being Idle (taken from 2005’s Don’t Believe The Truth) and Little By Little (from 2002’s Heathen Chemistry) are ever so slightly reworked and sounding as good as – is not better than – they were on their release of around twenty years ago. 

It is somewhat challenging to review the final two songs of the night. Songs like Live Forever and Don’t Look Back in Anger weren’t really written to be reviewed. They are meant to be experienced live; sung aloud, usually after a few drinks, with your arms around your loved ones. And it’s fair to say that these songs, in this city, on the last concert of the year will stick in the memories of every person in attendance.

So, what next? Noel Gallagher & The High Flying Birds have definitely earned their Christmas rest. It’s been a busy year. But 2024 is showing no sign of let up, with a string of UK dates already announced. If you fancy a fantastic concert, complete with a massive singalong then get yourself along to a show in 2024. You won’t be disappointed.

All words and photography by Steven Boon. You can see more of his great work, here.

Noel Gallagher & The High Flying Birds‘ 2024 dates can be found here. Check out The Masterplan recorded live at Abbey Road Studios below.

Noel Gallagher & The High Flying Birds: Website / Instagram / Facebook / X (formerly Twitter)

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