The rain came pouring down, but the Picnic goers didn't mind one bit as Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds walked on stage. They were up for it and so were the audience. To break away from a successful band is never easy, but Noel Gallagher only needed one song to show everyone why he's so much more than just Oasis.
'Everybody's on the Run' followed by 'Lock All The Doors' set the tone for the whole gig, Mr Gallagher was ready to throw in everything he got to give everybody a good time. And it must be said, there's nothing like an Irish crowd chanting along to every single song to get the atmosphere just right. His solo work could easily hold its own next to the Oasis classics, with the crowd happily dancing in the rain.
"This one's for all the Oasis fans", he said with a slight smile before he began 'You Know We Can't Go Back'. Should we take that as a hint? We'll leave that up to you.
Songs like 'Riverman' and 'Ballad Of The Mighty I' sounded amazing live, but when he finally played 'Champagne Supernova' the Picnic exploded. Strangers became friends as everyone embraced each other, singing their hearts out to a song that had become the soundtrack of their childhood or youth. Only live with thousands of people around you, can you begin to grasp how important Oasis was and is to so many individuals. Tears were shed, camouflaged by the rain coming down in buckets as hit after hit were thrown at the enthusiastic crowd. 'Half The World Away', 'Digsy's Dinner' and 'The Masterplan' were welcomed as if they were old friends, finally setting foot on Irish soil after a long absence.
By the end of the set everyone knew what was yet to come and when the first chord of Wonderwall drifted into the air, the Electric Picnic became one big choir, trying to outdo Noel himself by singing as loud as they could. 'Don't Look Back In Anger' was the icing on the cake and a perfect end to an incredible gig.