Tonight:
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John Aizlewood's rating
Noel and co charm the lager louts
By
John Aizlewood
3 Nov 2006
Turning up, playing the new single and looking sanctimonious is often deemed to be sufficient effort for a charity show.
For Pity's Sake, compered by comedian Russell Brand in aid of Focus ("to get people off drugs, rather than get drugs off people"), was different and not merely because of its eye-watering £50 entrance fee and a rare Noel Gallagher solo show.
This was an audience not to be trifled with. Leery, beery gangs of tracksuited, Asbo-wielding blokes hurling lager over each other ensured the unbearably crowded Koko's floors were as slippery as polished ice.
And when the mob spotted Liam Gallagher gazing down upon them from the gods, they chanted his name throughout The Holloways' hopeless sub-Levellers chunter. Brand begged them (the crowd, not the band) to stop. They chanted louder and threw lager at him.
Indeed, it was the sort of evening where DJ Kelly Osbourne (daughter of singer Ozzy and his X-Factor judge wife Sharon) wisely declined to display her breasts, despite the offer chanted by a section of the crowd who referred to themselves as "the lads".
Then, just as it seemed things couldn't get any worse, they got significantly better. Last night's turbo-charged acoustic-set by Carl Barat's new band Dirty Pretty Things ("they don't even have their own instruments!" claimed the awe- struck Brand, although he neglected to explain why) made an effective case for Barat rather than Pete Doherty being the major talent in their band The Libertines.
When Charlatanssinger Tim Burgess joined them for a sterling rendition of North Country Boy, the roof wasn't quite raised, but it may have been slightly dislodged.
And them, long after the clock had struck 10 and many members of the audience gave every impression of requiring Focus's assistance, there was Noel Gallagher. Nobody was going to chant for Liam during this set.
Not taking the lazy charity option, Gallagher stripped down his music and underlined why Oasis are so beloved. Whereas Liam stands and swaggers through songs, Noel sat and sang with unadorned tenderness.
Paul Weller joined him to race through The Jam's rarely heard Thick As Thieves with Noel on expert harmony, but the soothed rabble sang along to Wonderwall, a heart-stoppingly beautiful Look Back In Anger and The Beatles' Strawberry Fields Forever. Sweet charity indeed.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (2)
This evening was not at all what I expected... Russell Brand hardly said 2 words. Most of the crowd was there to see Noel Gallagher and they were a complete load of %^&*ers. So basically is was a gig, full of %^&*ers.
We could hardly here The Holloways (who deserved much respect!) over chnats of LIAM LIAM LIAM - the whole crowd except me was looking up at the balcony once they had spotted Liam Gallagher and just chanted the whole way through. The Sound Engineer wanted shooting as well - sound was rubbish until half way through the Dirty Pretty Things.
Dirty Pretty Things were great and the Tim Burgess addition made for a great set. Then Russell B anounced that Kelly Osbourne and Peaches Geldof were dj-ing in between sets - you can imagine how that went down - Peaches made a sharp exit and Kelly - to her credit stuck it out in between chants of LIAM and GET YA T*TS OUT FOR THE LADS.
Then finally Noel came on and to be fair it was an OK gig.
I guess it was an experience....but not what I expected at all and I felt quite cheated. This should have just been advertised as a Noel Gallagher gig where your money goes to charity. NOT a night 'hosted' by Russell Brand.
- Eloise, London, 10/11/2006 15:50
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Yes, Liam did try his best to steal the limelight - and on the odd occasion he popped his face over the balcony he did exactly that. However, when the bands came on stage the crowd gave the acts the respect they deserved.
The Holloways' did a perfect set and I will undoubtedly not be alone in a group of new fans from that performance. Dirty Pretty Things showed that they are an amazing talent, and as they belted out North Country Boy with Tim Burgess, there wasn't a single person not singing along - the roof was most definitely raised.
Noel took to stage and actually looked a little pensive at first, but he did what every Oasis fan loves and enjoys - singing classic Oasis songs stripped down to the bare bones and was more than worth the £53.50 fee that it cost to get in for this very rare performance(s).
Kelly Osbourne "declined to display her breasts"; if she did, it wasn't because she was invited to.
- Darren Ratcliffe, Manchester, England, 06/11/2006 14:25
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