Rosemont, IL, USA (All State Arena)

SETLIST:
1. Cigarettes & Alcohol
2. Supersonic
3. Wonderwall
4. Champagne Supernova
5. Helter Skelter


PRESENT:
Liam Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Gem Archer
Andy Bell
Alan White


REVIEWS:
Dotmusic
Althea Legaspi / Ben Gilbert

Despite the awful weather conditions in Chicago, the All State Arena was buzzing in anticipation of Q101 T6 (Twisted Christmas 6) Millennium show on Saturday evening. A stellar line-up consisting of Moby, Run DMC, Filter, Blink 182, Fiona Apple, Oasis, the Foo Fighters and Bush providing the inspiration.

But Oasis were the focal point of most expectations, and delivered a set that despite defusing suggestions that the loss of Bonehead and Guigsy could quicken their demise, still kept cards very close to their chests.

Their 25-minute set, consisting of 'Cigarettes and Alcohol', 'Supersonic', Wonderwall', 'Champagne Supernova' and 'Helter Skelter', showcased no new songs from imminent third album 'Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants'.

Before they arrived on-stage, dotmusic spoke to Noel and Liam to find out how new members Gem and Andy Bell had fitted into the band. The Gallagher brothers, who were quite sociable all evening, catching both Fiona Apple and the Foo Fighters, were in buoyant moods, spending time signing autographs and chatting with the crowd.

dotmusic reporter Althea Legaspi caught-up with Liam and Noel, asking if she could squeeze in a question before they went on-stage. When asked how he felt about playing the three upcoming radio shows in the States, Liam commented: "Yeah, it's great," adding how excited he was to be in America. In typical Liam style, he then joked when asked how he felt about the new line-up: "You know that's two questions now isn't it?" But he explained how well the band had gelled, with Gem and Andy, to which Noel agreed, describing the new guitarist and bass player as 'fantastic'. He said they had played together for the first time the previous night in Philadelphia, a show Noel said had been good, although he predicting that tonight's gig would be even better. The confidence and eagerness of both Liam and Noel made it obvious how keen they are to get back to business and respond to the critics and fans who found 'Be Here Now' a little too contrived a pill too swallow.

Rumours circulating in the UK that Liam had been MIA for a week had reached America and many – knowing the Oasis US track record - had speculated the band would be playing without him.

The crowd were already getting riled up when the compere announced: "They're here....they're here!...All of them are here!", Liam sauntering on stage in dark, Lennon-esque shades and a cigarette resting comfortably in his mouth.

The fervent reception kicked-up a notch as Oasis launched their 25 minute set with 'Cigarettes and Alcohol'. The side of the stage was packed with onlookers, press and personalities, including Filter and Foo Fighter members and even Billy Corgan, saddled-up to get one of the better views in the venue. At one point the side stage was so mobbed with backstage pass people, security began kicking many of them out.

'Supersonic' was the next song to be heard. The band were suprisingly cohesive, flowing effortlessly through the song that launched their careers. Liam drawled majestically, while Noel hammed-up to the cameras, making it obvious that the pair were glad to be back in the live spotlight as opposed to the tabloid one.

'Wonderwall' and 'Champagne Supernova' followed, with the former providing ample opportunity for Liam to display the kind of charisma and emotional resonance that have sealed his position as one of the most iconic frontmen of the nineties.

For a band that is fairly new in respect to the line-up, Oasis meshed well throughout: with Gem and Andy playing together stage left, and Noel to the right. Liam worked the stage and crowd particularly well during 'Wonderwall', even Billy Corgan seemed to have become slightly seduced by the track. Liam also provided probably the comic moment of the evening, announcing the next track as ''Rudolph The Red- Nosed Reindeer', a deliberate jibe at Blink 182 whose set included a bizarre, slightly sickening version of 'Silent Night'.

Liam was again magnetic during 'Champagne Supernova', probably the best jam of the night, as the band rocked-out supremely. Gem was particularly animated and obviously enjoying himself. Hardly surprising when you consider he used to be a member of indie nobodies Heavy Stereo. Liam completed the song with a kiss to his microphone and promptly left the stage, leaving vocal duties to Noel for the final track.

Throughout a grand, explosive 'Helter Skelter'. Noel, Gem and Andy played well off each other, and the crowd, made up mostly of kids who probably couldn't name who wrote the song originally, responded with great enthusiasm.

Audience reactions to the new line-up were favorable, most citing little difference in their live sound to previous shows. Amazingly, one might think the band in its current evolution had been together since the beginning - the only evidence to the contrary being they all appear to like each other and get along well. How well the new members – or the rest of us - will react to 'Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants' is another matter entirely. But for the moment, this was certainly a step forward.