Oasis
Oasis faced a tough task at Noise and Confusion. Not only were they headliners and therefore supposedly the band that should walk away with the performance of the day, but when they actually came on stage they were faced with a mixed audience. Half had just been rocked to the brink of death by the Foo Fighters and were all but calling out for last rites, whilst the other half who had started the day as avid Oasis fans, convinced that no metaller was going to jump on their pristine Addidas trainers, now resembled Foo converts who were silently praying that their beloved Oasis could prove them wrong and top the Foos. Sadly god is either a Foos fan or simply wasn't listening as Oasis were left wavering in their 'support acts' shadow.
As far as introductions go, 'Fuckin' In the Bushes' is aptly fitting for Oasis. It emulates all the arrogance and swagger of what is one of Britain's greatest bands, the only problem is on Saturday they appeared to be going through the motions. It wasn't until their fourth song, '(What's The Story) Morning Glory', which Noel dedicated to all those in the gold circle who had got up early that morning, that the crowd finally came alive. It seemed that this was a show that was going to be all about the classics. 'Cigarettes and Alcohol', appropriately dedicated to the late George Best, sounded as raw, hungry and full of live as it did ten years ago, whilst 'Live Forever', 'Wonderwall' and 'Champagne Supernova' all got an airing and proved just what brilliantly original songs Oasis have made over the years. But Oasis didn't seem up to the task of taking on the Foos. Liam's arrogant stare into the crowd may have been there but he was uncharacteristically subdued and understated. This is a guy who generally lays into his fans and they love him all the more for it. Although it may be a nice change for him to be asking if everyone was alright because of the rapidly dropping temperature in the stadium, it doesn't really portray the true nature of Oasis.
Of the newer material, 'The Importance of Being Idle' was the better received. Whilst Noel sung, two large screens showed a manifesto of being idle, one point alluding to the notion that it is better to have lived and loafed then to never have loafed at all, sentiments that many of the crowd could relate to after waiting for over nine hours for Oasis. By the final song, 'Rock and Roll Star', it was as if a mass exodus had taken place as people were streaming out of the exits either through fatigue or simply in the hope of missing the rush. Those who stayed were rewarded with what has almost become Oasis' anthem song as 'Don't Look Back In Anger' resounded around the stadium before the band ploughed into their version of 'My Generation', full of raging guitars, sneering vocals and pounding drums.
Noise and Confusion should have been all about an Oasis triumph. After a year in which they have been reinstated as a super group and wowed fans at concerts and festivals alike, Noise and Confusion should have been another notch under their belt, another two fingered salute to all those who doubted them. Instead it was just another glimpse at how great Oasis can be that was snatched away before the audience had the opportunity to see how exceptional their gigs can truly be.