Noel Gallagher's homecoming was everything it needed to be

That’s the first time I’ve ever experienced a gig being halted over a bit of rain.

But that’s exactly what happened during Future Island’s support set for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds at Wythenshawe Park on Saturday.

Wondering if the British weather would mean Primal Scream and the main man himself ended up being cancelled altogether, my worry needn’t have lasted, as about 30 minutes later, bin bag strategically placed over my head as a makeshift mac, the rain stopped and there was no sign of lightning anywhere.

With the over cautious concert organisers okaying the stage for performances once again, Primal Scream entered, opening with Movin’ On Up and continuing through a nine song homage to their career, ending on a high with Rocks.

Noel Gallagher at Wythenshawe Park (Image: NQ Staff)

Then there was a wait.

A totally unnecessary wait of an hour and 15 minutes before the elder of Manchester's infamous Gallagher brothers and Oasis’ main songwriter took to the stage.

Was the wait worth it? Definitely. Maybe.

Noel took the crowd through an impressive 19 track set, beginning with Pretty Boy followed by Council Skies from his new album of the same title.

And what followed was banger after banger as the crowd sang their hearts out to a solo repertoire spanning back to 2011 - which is quite hard to believe/accept when you’re a fan still riding the Oasis wave and coming to the stark realisation that your favourite band broke up more than 14 years ago.

You Know We Can’t Go Back, We’re On Our Way Now and In The Heat Of The Moment made way for debut album tracks If I Had A Gun, and What A Life (dedicated to Man City supporters), before Noel treated the fans to what they’d all been waiting for - a serenade of Oasis B sides, (Going Nowhere dedicated to Man Utd fans, lol) interspersed with hit singles The Importance of Being Idle, which he mistakenly dedicated to Andy Burnham, and Little By Little.

Noel Gallagher at Wythenshawe Park (Image: NQ Staff)

Encoring with Dylan cover Quinn The Eskimo and Oasis’ Live Forever, Noel’s voice was on point throughout the whole gig.

Whereas his little brother’s swagger sometimes makes up for his questionable vocal performance, Noel’s voice has never sounded better.

And as he joked with the crowd about selfies and his beloved Man City, and took quips at Man Utd, my frustration at the hour and 15 minute wait dispersed.

The performance was rounded off with a few flares (reminiscent of a Manchester Courteeners gig), and a rendition of Don't Look Back In Anger, which Noel sang none of and let the crowd do the talking, which they did lyric perfect, as he watched on in awe.

Being one of those Oasis fans who’d wish the Gallagher brothers would end their feud and reunite, I’m now of the ilk that despite me knowing it would probably be the best gig of my life, I can be satisfied in enjoying both Noel and Liam’s performances independently.

Saturday at Wythenshawe Park was better than expected (even if it did take an hour and a half to get out of the car park at the end - the only low point), and Noel well and truly cemented himself, in my eyes, as one of the great songwriters of my generation.