Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds & Snow Patrol – Rogers Arena – October 25, 2012
Former Oasis lead guitar/songwriter, Noel Gallagher brought his solo project Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds to Rogers Arena in Vancouver for a co-headlining show with Snow Patrol. The British quintet sang songs from their 2011 self-titled album as well as a few Oasis tracks to fill out their set. The crowd of about 10,000 were definitely interested in this latest project from Gallagher and quite a few sang along to the NGHFB but the big applause was for the Oasis tunes. While the new material has a different, moodier feeling it reflects the singer/songwriter’s familiar, grumpy old man attitude. While Oasis imploded under the weight of the Gallagher brothers’ notorious angst and squabbles, this project flourishes. With Noel as both chief singer and songwriter he finally has the control he needs to fulfill his vision. Amazingly for someone who rarely interacts with the audience and when he does it’s usually to sarcastically berate audience members, Noel is able to hold their attention in the palm of his hand. Satisfied with what they heard from NGHFB, many of the audience left the arena before the next act, Snow Patrol, took the stage.
In sharp contrast to Gallagher’s understated low energy performance style, Snow Patrol took the stage with lead singer Gary Lightbody exuding energy. Starting off with Final Straw, and rolling right into a whole set of familiar favourites. “Take Back The City”, “Run”,”Open Your Eyes”, “Shut Your Eyes”, “Chasing Cars” were all on the setlist to the pleasure of the crowd. Lightbody bounded about the stage and provided some witty banter with the audience in spite of having some throat issues which required a cup of tea during the set. Aside from some keyboard difficulties that meant “Dark Roman Wine” ended after one line, the band sounded in fine form. They also had a replacement drummer as it was explained that band member Jonny Quinn was back home with his wife expecting the imminent birth of their baby. The Snow Patrol/Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds co-headline dates wrap up with a show Oct 30 in Winnipeg before heading south to the U.S. for the beginning of November. Check out the show in your city.