Liam Gallagher - Knebworth '22

by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 30 / 8 / 2023

Label: Warner Bros
Format: CD

Powerful and enjoyable collection of solo tracks and Oasis classics from Liam Gallagher recorded live at Knebworth last year

Review

Noel Gallagher recently disparagingly referred to his brother Liam as “that little tambourine player” - so any lingering hopes of Oasis joining Blur and Pulp in a triumphant Britpop comeback have been dashed! But both brothers remain active in their solo activity. Noel released his fourth solo album ‘Council Skies’ in June and is now touring whilst Liam has revisited his two night performance at Knebworth last year with the release of a new live album, ‘Knebworth 22’ that bristles with power and panache. Liam has no reservations about exploiting his old band's legacy. As he reminded his audience, the 2022 Knebworth shows were a return to the scene of two era-defining Oasis gigs 26 years earlier. Liam retains much of his Oasis swagger – and he has achieved major solo success by doing so. Back in action after the pandemic, Liam worked hard at Knebworth last year giving the 170,000 fans there exactly what they wanted, really embracing the moment. Supported by an excellent five piece band and three backing vocalists, Liam delivered a 76 minute set that included numbers from his three solo albums as well as many Oasis songs. There are high intensity versions of ‘Hello’ and ‘Rock'n'Roll Star’ which fully exploit the power of Liam's signature raspy, punchy vocal delivery. And, interestingly, some of his solo songs are just as accomplished as the classic Oasis numbers. ‘Wall Of Glass’ which he co-wrote with Andrew Wyatt and Greg Kurstin is impressive and ‘More Power’, a soulful ballad from 2022's ‘C'mon You Know’ solo album is beautifully sung with the help of a gospel choir. There are some lesser-known Oasis tracks too. ‘Roll It Over’ makes a rare appearance whilst 1994 Oasis album track ‘Slide Away’ (dedicated to Liam's fiancee Debbie Gwyther) is here, also. But, as you'd expect, ‘Knebworth 22’ ends with the ritual singalongs to ‘Supersonic’, ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Champagne Supernova’ - the last of these featuring Stone Roses guitarist John Squire playing the solo originally performed by Paul Weller. This is a powerful and thoroughly enjoyable album - impressive work for a mere “tambourine man".

Track Listing:-

1 Hello
2 Rock 'n' Roll Star
3 Wall of Glass
4 Shockwave
5 Everything's Electric
6 Roll It Over
7 Slide Away
8 More Power
9 C'mon You Know
10 The River
11 Once
12 Cigarettes and Alcohol
13 Some Might Say
14 Supersonic
15 Wonderwall
16 Champagne Supernova