Live Forever

Oasis rolled through town tonight for a show at The Murat, and in an hour and 40 minutes they managed to prove the old salt about mellowing with age. Interestingly, most of their setlist came from either from their latest album (Don't Believe the Truth) or their first (Definitely Maybe), while sprinkling a few hits (Champagne Supernova, Wonderwall, Don't Look Back in Anger) and some rarities (Acquiesce, The Masterplan, an acoustic Songbird) in between, closing with a rousing cover of the Who's "My Generation". Some things were exactly what you'd expect from an Oasis show: Liam and Noel's stage banter was unintelligible; Liam's vocals were rough; Noel-sung songs got a big crowd response. But some things seemed out of place: Liam and Noel joked with each other and seemed to be enjoying sharing the stage; and Noel sang a lot of songs without a single jealous crack from Liam (I think). Aside from the guy behind me who apparently has never been introduced to the concept of singing on key, it was an enjoyable show, but not spectacular. I still maintain my belief that the band would be better in many ways if they dumped Liam and Noel became the lead singer. A few years back, that wouldn't have seemed so far-fetched, but with the kinder, gentler Gallagher brothers I saw tonight, I'm afraid Liam will be around until their third Comeback Tour. Like the song says, he seems likely to live forever.