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Noel Gallagher cemented his reputation as one of Britain's greatest songwriters with stunning Swansea set
The former Oasis star played his first solo gig in the city – and it's fair to say it was worth the wait
Philip Dewey
Noel Gallagher will now head to Portmeirion where he is headlining Festival No 6
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A sunny evening in South Wales served only to solidify Noel Gallagher's reputation as the greatest songwriter of his generation.
The former Oasis tunesmith and elder Gallagher brother played his first solo gig in Swansea in front of 10,000 fans in a packed Singleton Park who sang along with gusto to the back catalogue of Britpop's most enduring band.
There was a summer solstice feel to proceedings as fans kicked back on blankets and looked on as the sun set over the Swansea skyline.
Adidas trainers, parkas, and Fred Perry polo-necks adorned members of the audience who drank up the atmosphere.
The gig was kicked off by Merthyr's very own indie-rockers and Oasis disciples Pretty Vicious, who proved why they are one of the most talked-about bands in Britain.
With their debut album being recorded by Oasis' former producer Owen Morris the chance to perform alongside Gallagher must have been a dream come true.
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Also performing was former Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes who crooned along to songs from his Mercury Award-nominated second solo album Matador.
The Oxford songwriter showed the verve of an experienced frontman and had the audience clapping along to his band's melancholic groove.
The final support act came in the form of Scotland's Frightened Rabbit whose straight edge vibe seemed slighly out of place but the anthemic quality of songs from their latest album Painting of a Panic Attack certainly got the crowd in the mood for Mr Gallagher.
The Chief, as he is affectionately known by his loyal supporters, seems to have flourished since the break-up of the Manchester quintet in 2009, freeing him up to be more experimental without having to write for the voice of his brother and sparring partner Liam.
The Singleton Park show came off the back his fourth sold-out arena tour of the UK.
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Joined by his High Flying Birds, Gallagher's show featured a host of new songs featured from his newest album Chasing Yesterday, released last year, which saw tunes such as Riverman, Ballad of the Mighty I, and the poppy Heat of the Moment get a run out.
There were also a number of songs from Gallagher's self-titled debut solo album, featuring spirited renditions of hits such as Everybody's On the Run and AKA ... What a Life.
But the highlights by far of the night came from delving back into the catalogue of one of the most beloved bands of all time who caught the imagination of the country back in the 1990s.
Gallagher picked out hits throughout Oasis' career, which had new life breathed into them by the new arrangements, including a beautiful rendition of Wonderwall in the style of Ryan Adams' cover.
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Other highlights from the Oasis catalogue included Half the World Away, The Masterplan, Digsy's Dinner and the epic Champagne Supernova given a new dimension by the voice of Gallagher Sr, more melodic but less iconic than Liam's versions.
But no one remained silent in the encore for Noel's signature tune and Britpop anthem Don't Look Back in Anger with the whole of Singleton Park singing their hearts out.
It was great to see some of the more obscure B-sides given an airing, as they were during the early days of Oasis when Noel had his solo acoustic slot in the show, including D'Yer Wanna Be A Spaceman, Listen Up, Fade Away and Talk Tonight, though a pocket of crowd violence slightly spoiled the gentle acoustic rendition of Fade Away.
If he never writes another song Gallagher can take his place among Lennon and McCartney, Ray Davies, David Bowie and Morrissey and Marr as one of greatest songwriters Britain has produced.
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