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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Barry Egan at Oasis's first gig in 16 years: ‘This is the sound of an entire generation singing its communal heart out'
Liam and Noel Gallagher hold hands as tour begins before 75,000 enraptured fans in Cardiff The Game of Thrones-like feud had dragged on for so long between Noel Gallagher and his little brother Liam that people were starting to believe their band's reunion would never happen. But at 8.15pm on Friday night in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, it did. As the pre-recorded intro music of F**kin' in the Bushes blasted out into the night, a spooky voice announced 'this is not a drill' while behind on the giant screens was a flurry of media headlines about a certain band getting back together. And then, there they were — the once-fighting siblings walked out on stage holding hands, in a frankly beautiful display of reconciliation. Liam wore his trademark parka jacket zipped up to the neck like he was out for a walk on a winter's night; Noel was in a denim shirt like he was off to the pub with his bestie Bono. Backed by Bonehead and Gem Archer on guitar, Andy Bell on bass and Joey Waronker on drums, this was the first time Oasis had been on stage in 16 years. They immediately launched into the punked-up glamrock of Hello. 'Yes, you beautiful people,' said Liam. 'It's been too long. Oasis in the area!' The reaction was rapturous. The next number, Acquiesce, set the tone. The brothers share the vocals. They sing about unity and harmony: 'Because we need each other/We believe in one another.' I'm not suggesting they've put all their differences aside and are watching movies together in their pyjamas each night, but at least they are standing on the same stage again. The fight that split up the band — in a Paris dressing room in August 2009, when Liam attacked Noel with a guitar — seemed a lifetime ago. As did Noel's comments to me in 2017 for the Sunday Independent, that his brother was 'a village idiot'. The noise level in Cardiff was as close to deafening as you'll get without actually sticking your head inside the engine of a 747. It sometimes made the sound distort and Liam's vocals hard to hear, but no one appeared to care much. The mood in the crowd was triumphant, even before they had played a note Over the next two hours, they didn't disappoint the sell-out crowd, playing a non-stop list of generation-defining Britpop stormers, mostly taken from their first two classic albums, Definitely Maybe from 1994 and (What's The Story) Morning Glory from 1995. ADVERTISEMENT Little By Little from 2002 was the only song they performed that was released after their third album Be Here Now came out in 1997. The mood was triumphant in the crowd even before they had played a note. It was like history was being re-made before our eyes. Indeed, the atmosphere all day in the streets of Cardiff was one of expectation, excitement and jubilation. Thousands of fans sat outside city pubs enjoying pints in the sunshine. Oasis songs blared out of every pub window and cafe. Handwritten signs outside restaurants stated: 'Don't look back in hunger.' The BBC were broadcasting live outside the bus station. Radio journalists from all over the world were interviewing fans on the street. Rock 'N' Roll Star still has the same audacity it had when it came out in 1994 Fans had travelled from as far as South Korea and South America. Oasis swiftly dispelled any fears that had left it so long that they would return as a heritage act. The songs, breathlessly performed, still cast a spell — the power of the melodies still sweep the listener off somewhere into their imagination. When Liam sang Supersonic at 9.30pm, the song's mission statement of 'I need to be myself, I can't be no one else' had the whole crowd singing the words back to him, like it was their song. That is the true wonder of Noel's songwriting. Everyone in Wales on Friday night had their own personal raw emotions and tangled memories particular to Oasis's songs. Rock 'N' Roll Star still has the same audacity it had when it came out in 1994. Roll With It is still a blitzkrieg of rock energy. Cast No Shadow is still one of the most powerful songs you'll hear about the human condition. A highlight of the night was the performance of Live Forever. It was made even more emotional when the image of Diogo Jota — the Liverpool and Portugal footballer tragically killed in a car crash last week and whose funeral was held yesterday — appeared on the screens. Liam still possesses one of the greatest voices in rock history. Noel still looks as cool as ever And Liam still possesses one of the greatest voices in rock history. Noel still looks as cool as ever, standing in the same spot all night 30 feet to the left of our kid. His solo performances of Talk Tonight, Half the World Away and, in particular, Little by Little was a testament to his genius as an artist who has written many of the greatest songs of his, or any, generation. Dressed in endless bucket hats and sports tops and runners, 75,000 fans hugged each other as they danced and sang along to the songs that were the soundtracks to their lives. It was the sound of an entire generation singing its communal heart out, still mad for it. 'You lot having a good time?' Liam asked before adding, tongue-in-cheek in reference to the controversy over ticket prices: 'Was it worth the £4,000 you paid for the ticket?' Joking aside, it was worth any money to see Oasis almost at their boisterous, mid-1990s' peak again.
New York Post
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Fan ‘paid a witch' on Etsy to save Knicks season — and Stephen A. Smith couldn't be happier
Double, double, Knicks won't struggle; the Garden roars, and Pacers will crumble. Knicks fans left no stone unturned ahead of Game 5's 111-94 victory over the Pacers, employing a witch to conjure up some spirits to curse the Pacers ahead of a potential elimination game Thursday. X user @vohit4rohit posted on X that he paid a witch on Etsy $8.48 to curse the Pacers and give the Knicks an extra edge. 4 Knicks fans called upon a witch to curse the Pacers ahead of Game 5. Etsy | Priestess Aurora 'Knicks fans – I just paid a witch on Etsy to cast a spell to help us win game 5 tonight,' the X user said. 'I'm doing my part.' ESPN host and Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith expressed his appreciation after the Game 5 win, responding to the post on X with: 'Thank you for your efforts.' The shop on Etsy, known as 'Aurora Priestess,' claims to offer same-day spell casting, powerful and fast manifestation ritual and magical personal witchcraft, among other things. 4 The Priestess' shop on Etsy shows her workstation of where she casts spells. ' Etsy | Priestess Aurora The Priestess says they are a 'devoted conduit of ancient magic.' Twenty-seven people purchased spells from the witch in the last 24 hours, with the X user promising to pay her again ahead of Saturday's Game 6. The Priestesses' Etsy shop page shows the video of her workstation with candles all around and some sort of potpourri combination on a desk. Her account also includes pictures of ancient-looking cards, one of which shows the 'Wheel of Fortune' and other ancient signs. The Game of Thrones-like character has 2,100 reviews and sparkling recommendations for those looking to conjure magic from another world to achieve powerful change. The Knicks will need every bit of luck, magic, spirit mongering or any other non-conventional tactics to secure a win in Game 6 at Indiana. The Pacers were blown out of the Knicks' building in Game 5, as Tom Thibodeau's group showed off some strong defense that allowed Indiana to shoot just 40.5 percent from the field. 4 The Knicks may have gotten some help from another world to win Game 5. AP 4 Tyrese Haliburton may have been the one cursed Thursday. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Or perhaps it had nothing to do with the Knicks' strong defense and more to do with witchcraft putting a lid on the basket. Tyrese Haliburton had his worst performance of the series Thursday, putting up just eight points and six assists on 2 of 7 shooting in 32 minutes. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Game 6 on Saturday has every bit of intrigue you could possibly be looking for in the NBA, as the Knicks hope to force a Game 7 at home.
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Leftie Gray set to unleash in Tairāwhiti interclub golf pennants at Tolaga Bay
Gray's appointment is a case of one leftie out, another in, with Zach Rolls heading off on an OE. The Awapuni Links quartet will also feature the entry of prolific Poverty Bay-East Coast title winner Waka Donnelly into the matchplay fray. Working for LeaderBrand across the road from the Poverty Bay has allowed Donnelly to work diligently on his game - a record-equalling eighth Poverty Bay Open crown at the top of his 'to do' list this year - and he has history at Tolaga Bay in the honours-board form of two King of the Coast Open triumphs albeit before the turn of the century. An in-form Pete Anderson will be at No 1 and co-captain Hayden Keast - unbeaten in the series so far - No 4 for a PB side who will need to be near the peak of their form as they face reigning champions and 2025 points leaders Patutahi (1) in the morning round. 'Tahi (1) are on 27 points, three ahead of Electrinet Park (1), followed by Poverty Bay and Te Puia Hot Springs on 21. There is daylight back to Waikohu on 12, Tolaga Bay 9, Park (2) 8 and Patutahi (2) 6. The champs will be without Dwayne Russell's services on Saturday. He has posted three Ws (wins) and an H (half) so far, so his replacement Jace Brown has Shaq-sized shoes to fill. YMP Premier rugby team's loss will again be 'Tahi's gain, with YMP captain Shayde Skudder playing both rounds. Eddie Brown, on a four-from-four run this year, and younger brother Hukanui only add to their firepower. Patutahi (1) are set to be co-stars in two delectable sub-plots. Following their PB duel, they head into what could be a Game of Thrones-like afternoon battle with Park (1). The Park will have its usual quality suspects in Dan Collier, Anaru Reedy and Brad Reynolds, but Matt Henwood has replaced Pete Stewart, who will be birdie-hunting for Park (2), alongside Bailey Matoe, Sel Peneha and Anthony Pahina. Saturday is the best possible stage for Tolaga Bay to make a significant move. To have any chance of qualifying for the top-four semifinals, Bruce Yates, Taine Lincoln, William Aupouri and Tim Adamson must convert all their home knowledge to position-climbing points in tussles with Waikohu and Park (2). Waikohu face a similar scenario. The 'Sollies' - David Solomann and son Glenn - will again traverse the long and winding road from Auckland all the way up SH35 to represent their adopted country course, backed up by Terry Reeves and Mike Christophers. Te Puia Hot Springs will be minus another four-from-four conqueror, Jason Devery, in their morning clash with Waikohu, but he will be back in the afternoon hungry to take down Donnelly, who started his golfing career at the Springs many moons ago. Patutahi (2)'s flag will be flown by Regan Hindmarsh, Lyall Anania, Dean Pohatu and Hamish Harris. It will be all on in their bottom-of-the-table morning scrap with Park (2). Saturday also features round 3 of the Endeavour men's interclub handicap pennants at Patutahi Golf Club.
