Liam Gallagher Live at The Wiltern, Los Angeles

On Tuesday November 14, The Wiltern housed a sold out crowd for Liam Gallagher. The former Oasis frontman is on tour in support of his first solo album, As You Were, released on October 6. It was the first time he performed in Los Angeles as a solo act.

A large white banner with black block letters read “As You Were” hung from the ceiling, while a smaller banner that said “Rock n Roll” hung center. It was simple and to the point: I am here, I have a new album, let’s have a night of music. And so it was. Gallagher, despite expectations, was not outlandish. He performed a solid, pure rock performance. He zipped through a quick 14-song set, hands behind his back to steer the way. 

Like a boxing champ making his way to the ring, Gallagher entered the stage to The Mamas and the Papas’ “California Dreamin’.” Appropriately, he kicked off the night with “Rock n Roll Star,” and then followed up with another Oasis song, “Morning Glory.” 

Gallagher was smart in warming up the crowd with old favorites; nostalgia is, after all, a special kind of happiness. At this point, the audience was more than pleased, allowing Gallagher to launch into a series of songs from the new album. He kept the energy up with “Greedy Soul,” a nice middle finger of a song to someone that tried to screw him over. Next came the album’s first single, “Wall of Glass,” during which he traded his traditional hands-behind-the-back stance for some maracas.

The evening slightly mellowed during “I’ve All I Need,” “Bold” and “For What It’s Worth.” Still, one was never bored with thumping beats and lyrics that called for singing along. Gallagher brought the energy back with “Some Might Say” and “Slide Away,” more Oasis songs. Before “Be Here Now,” Gallagher said, “This is our last tune.” The audience sighed with what sounded more like surprise than sadness, for the show had only been going on for just over an hour. (Later on Twitter, Gallagher came to his own defense: “Rock n roll is not about been in detention it’s smash and grab any body who plays over hour an half is a wanker in my book as you were LG.”)

Of course, Gallagher and crew came back to the stage before their final retreat. The stage was flooded with a gold-ish light, the guitarist jammed into a heavy riff and Gallagher was at it again with the maracas. It was a moment that best encapsulated the show: no flashy gimmicks, all about the music. Following “Cigarettes and Alcohol,” Gallagher closed the evening with “Live Forever.” The crowd took lead during the first and second chorus, they singing for Gallagher instead of him for them. It was like they were showing their appreciation for him. Gallagher, after all, understood the importance of Oasis songs to so many of the fans that night. He also understood the importance of sticking to the music, often saying thank you at song’s end and never overly exuding his infamous erratic behavior. 

Setlist

1. Rock n Roll Star (Oasis song)
2. Morning Glory (Oasis song)
3. Greedy Soul
4. Wall of Glass
5. I’ve All I Need
6. Bold
7. For What It’s Worth
8. Some Might Say (Oasis song)
9. Slide Away (Oasis song)
10. I Get By
11. You Better Run
12. Be Here Now (Oasis song)
13. Cigarettes and Alcohol (Oasis song)
14. Live Forever (Oasis song)