Review - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Caldicot Castle

Review - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Caldicot Castle

There is a story told by the legendary guitarist, Johnny Marr, about Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen would buy a concert ticket for one of his favourite artists, put it on the fridge and look at it with excitement every day until the day of the gig - he felt it was a contract with that singer or band, a contract for a great night. Springsteen's attitude was that it was his duty to the do the same every night for his own fans - to fulfil that contract and give them the best night ever.

Noel Gallagher is a rock star, a great songwriter and an eloquent, witty man. It was with a huge amount of joy that the people of Caldicot and the surrounding areas heard that he was coming to the glorious setting of Caldicot Castle for a concert. The evening was fantastic - Newport's Goldie Lookin Chain were utterly insane and put everything into a phenomenal performance that had the crowd bouncing and laughing in equal measure. Rock legends, Feeder, were also on home turf and delivered a great set of 90s infused rock.

The stage was set for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - an eclectic collection of guitars, keyboards and flowers were spread across the stage and a huge roar greeted Noel and the band as he performed a mix his solo work along with the occasional nod to Oasis. The musicianship was great, the songs full of classic Gallagher hooks and choruses.

But there's just one thing, Noel. Your welcome of "Where the F*** am I?" is kind of funny in a rock star kind of way - at least it is the first time. But at the second or third time there are possibly a few people in the crowd who have been looking at that virtual ticket on their virtual fridge for the last few months with a huge amount of expectation and excitement - and they've welcomed you into their house and they've felt as if they are vaguely on the map - and they've thought 'come on Noel, just tell us Caldicot Castle is a nice setting and you're glad to be here'.

But perhaps it's just a Noel Gallagher thing and by the sounds of it there were enough people there who were enjoying an actual living legend that they didn't mind a bit of "F*** you". The music does the talking and it is difficult to argue with a man with a back catalogue and current catalogue like Noel. Particularly as the first few chords of 'Don't Look Back in Anger' rang through the Caldicot sky and a huge roar went up at the disbelief and wonder of hearing an actual gold-plated rock classic sailing over us, around us and through us.

But as a few people said on the way out - "Come on Noel, at least have a clue where you are next time."

Now, who is it he supports?

Manchester United?