Oasis // Wonderwall Live at Croke Park
“What would we do without wonderwall?”
★★★★☆ (4/5)
The reunion tour of Oasis has been one of the biggest stories in music this decade. Long dreamed of by fans, ever since the announcement they have eagerly waited to see if the band could still capture that magic that makes the band beloved.
Thankfully the band emerged after 16 years of hibernation in top form, transporting fans back to the 90’s heyday with their signature wall of sound. So confident are Oasis in their resurrection that they have been sharing full live songs recordings from each of their shows. Allowing attendees and those that missed out on tickets to experience the euphoria.
So it is on this latest live track, the iconic “Wonderwall”. A song so ingrained in popular culture that it was a certainty to be in the “live 25” setlist.
As fitting one of the bands most played songs, each member plays their part to perfection. Joey Waronker lays down the fills and steady beat which locks in with the bass and acoustic guitars, producing a full sound which evokes the recordings.
Liam’s vocals coast through the effortlessly cool vibe of the song which still sounds fresh after thirty years. His voice has matured nicely over the years, leaving his vocals powerful and with a pleasant rasp which thicken out his delivery. While Noel’s backing vocals sound stronger than ever and serve to make the outro chorus a beautiful moment.
As the band goes into the chorus one of the greatest strengths of these live recordings becomes clear. The decibels of the crowd bleed through the microphone, allowing for them to drown out everything in a moment which evokes the togetherness which has been a feature across each stop on the tour.
Fading out with its signature haunting piano, Wonderwall live at Croke Park delivers the same feeling that every bit of media the band have put out over the tour, Oasis are back and better than ever.
REVIEW BY: SAM MCNAUGHTON
