Jones Beach Theater, Wantaugh, Long Island, NY

Saturday 7th September 1996

by Clem McGee

Although the waters were fairly calm at Jones Beach on Saturday, September 7, Oasis somehow seemed to be on the verge of drowning. The English quintet, who were rumored to be have broken up the very next day, played a lackluster set to a crowd that appeared to be politely taking it in stride. In psychology, I believe they call it "denial."

The band played an amalgam of tunes from their two Epic releases, Definitely Maybe and (What's The Story) Morning Glory including favorites like "Supersonic" and "Wonderwall." Unfortunately, the boys could not match the spark captured on the studio cuts. The albums are masterful - few would argue this. However, for whatever reasons - perhaps the long trip from Manchester to Long Island, the salty seaside air, or whatever - their brilliance did not shine through, not even with a couple of tons of stage lights provided by the Nassau County Parks Department.

Frontman Liam Gallagher seemed lost, wandering around the stage like a man looking for his car keys. On occasion, he paused to perch his body directly in front of the enormous side-stage speakers, presumably to deafen himself to the point of not having to hear the band. Other times, he seated himself on the edge of the stage, nervously kicking his legs, perhaps in contemplation of attending a dance class or two in the future.

Noel Gallagher's excellent songwriting was certainly there for the listening. The Beatle-esque compositions penned by Noel since the band’s debut in 1994 is without a doubt the centerpiece of the Oasis product. Nevertheless, the group delivered the tunes with a dull edge that only a mass of die-hard fans from the suburbs of New York could endure with any degree of satisfaction.

In fact, some of the best moments occurred when the band left Noel to perform his traditional solo acoustic spot. Noel, clearly the Townshend to Liam’s Daltry, is the creative force behind the band, resigned to the position of side man with the exception of the occasional shot at the microphone.

I do not compliment Noel Gallagher, however, for the purpose of belittling the remainder of Oasis - featuring Paul Arthurs on rhythm guitar, Paul McGuigan on bass and Alan White on drums. I suppose they have their moments, both good and bad. Unfortunately, the Jones Beach gig, which took place on one balmy September evening in late summer, did not seem to be one of them.

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c 1998 Andrew Turner

aturner@interalpha.co.uk

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