The Hours Before Oasis
Last night Oasis managed to fill the Belfast Odyssey Arena to capacity for the second night running. Fresh from closing the BBC Electric Proms on Sunday Oasis have kicked off their World tour with style. Having already announced a return to Ireland next June the atmosphere in the Odyssey was electric.
The support act for Belfast were the brilliant ‘The Hours‘ The band headlined their own show Dublin show on Tuesday and were the support act for both Belfast events. Being the warm up for any big stadium gig is hard work at the best of times but I imagine supporting Oasis comes with an added level of anxiety.
If you hadn’t heard The Hours before you would have been forgiven, for perhaps expecting a heavy rock band given the large skull backdrop. The music couldn’t be more different and quickly The hours effortlessly impressed an Oasis hungry crowd with a range of songs and audience interaction. I think there were definitely more mobile phones out capturing The Hours that we have seen for any other support act.
The Hours aren’t brand new by any means although they were fresh to many of the Belfast audience. The Hours were initially formed in 2004 by Antony Genn and Martin Slattery. Genn has played with greats such as Elastica and Pulp.
Martin Slattery has toured with Shaun Ryder’s group Black Grape and they both have worked with the legend Joe Strummer as a part the group The Mescaleros.
The Hours have a completely different approach to their music, two keyboard players, a drummer and a dedicated percussionist made for a stunning performance all round. Drummer Andy Treacy deserves a special mention for his energetic performance, it was not only brilliant to listen to but but it was a visual spectacular.
Although we were slightly shocked by the odd soft missile (usually clothing) hurled onto the stage Ant handled it perfectly complementing one missile thrower with a laugh and “good shot”. It should be noted the same wardrobe throwing activities were further afforded to Oasis when they arrived on stage…. and yes, we left fully clothed though.
We enjoyed The Hours so much rather than feature an Oasis song with this article we have featured their official video of ‘Ali in the Jungle’. Better still, to celebrate their return the band are offering this song as a free mp3 download via their website (www.thehours.co.uk) Also check out their Facebook Page.
I really don’t think a support slot with Oasis offered The Hours the platform they really deserved in Belfast. It might have opened up a new audience but I get the feeling the band would be spectacular headlining their own gig. It really would be great to see The Hours back in Belfast in the near future. I know there are a few readers out there who can make it happen ?
Like any other event the headlining band took to the stage with a masterpiece of lighting and visual effects. The crowd went absolutely wild. I think this is the first time I have witnessed this level of euphoric beer throwing and it went on and on. In some ways it made some of the heavy rock gigs we have attended look a little tame. It was brilliant! I think if you didn’t leave with beer on your clothes you were very lucky…
Oasis were, as expected musically brilliant. Rewarding the crowd with news songs ‘Dig out your Soul’ (I’m out of time being my favourite) interspersed with classics such as wonderwall, Champaign Supernova etc.
There was sadly very little crowd interaction, Liam hardly rarely spoke to the audience and it was difficult to know if the band were actually enjoying being on stage or whether this was just the Oasis rock attitude at work. Regardless it was a brilliant show. The Crowd totally erupted for ‘What’s the Story Morning Glory’ This was live music at it’s very best and the audience loved every single second.
The highlight of the Oasis set for me anyway, surprisingly wasn’t one of their classic hits, it actually wasn’t even one of their songs but their absolutely brilliant version of The Beatles (John Lennon’s) . I am the Walrus (YouTube) The song was played as the climax of the night and what a way to end an absolutely brilliant night.
If you have any photos from the show please add them to the Amuze Photo Group on Flickr (Here). Photos added feature on our Flickr/Links page.
Links:
Flickr Photo Group
Hours Official Site
Hours on MySpace
The Hours and Oasis played Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on 29th and 30th October 2008.
What a night, caught the end of ‘The Hours’ and what I heard was brilliant. Oasis were brilliant although you are right they didn’t give the crowd much in the way of chat. Brilliant night. Nice photo btw.
Great night! Your right about the lack of crowd interaction,was a bit dissapointed at that.But the gig defo made up for that. Was suprised at The Hours,great band!
I loved it, the people beside us were annoying but it didn’t detract from the gig too much. Oasis were great but agree with the lack of audience love. Checking out The Hours site now, they are new to me.
I marveled at the beer throwing. I mean are we not in a recession ? how could they afford it. Good night though loved it. A good number of videos on YouTube too.
Hey there, nice review. Agree with you about the crowd interaction (or lack of it!!) They didn’t want to be there, but played well. Crowd done my head in though!!
Didn’t see the support band but I will check them out. You painted a good picture of them.
Thought the Hours were rubbish. Oasis drums (bass) were too loud and their guitars not loud enough (barely audible). The drunken assholes all around me were throwing beer over everyone, myself included. There was so much pushing and shoving a fight broke out; very nasty and vicious. Felt on edge, ill at ease and on a state of high alert most of the gig (mainly due to the troublesome drunken assholes all around). I also got the distinct impression that Oasis were just going through the motions and that their heart was just not in it. Liam said “this is our last song” twice. Got the distinct feeling that he just wanted to get the set over and done with and get off the stage.
So besides the poor guitar sound/volume, the drunken assholes, the beer throwing (thrown by drunken assholes), the violence (perpetrated by drunken assholes), the pushing and shoving (done by drunken assholes) and the apathetic attitude of Oasis themselves…a great night was had by all. Ahem.
Thought The Hours were good, kind of reminded me a little but like the cure at times ? Quite different to Oasis though. Had a good night although a bit of craic from Oasis would have been nice.
Loved the final song. I didn’t realise it was the Beatles (before my time) it certainly ended on a high.
We had seats right level with the stage and we loved every second of it… The Hours – never seen a band with 2 drummers before but it was pretty good stuff. I remember laughing when the lead singer said good shot I reckon they could be a bit of fun.
Oasis from where I was sitting were brilliant, Liam did have to kick a lot of crap off the stage but it was every bit as good as the proms imho. Wonder how the two nights compare, I assume this is Thurs’ gig ?
This would have been a great concert if it werent for the scum bags who were e’d off their heads running round chewing their own faces off, and kissing their mates and banging into everyone with a pint in their hands and spilling it on the rest of us…
then when the concert began, the crowd got soaked by dozens of pints seemingly being thrown at the band, as well as coins and toilet roll(?)
Why did these people even pay the money to come to the concert? Ruined it for everyone else and is it any wonder the Gallagher bros looked totally pi ssed off? They couldnt wait to get off the stage and hardly said 2 words to the crowd…
such as shame as i had been really looking forward to the concert.. i blame odyssey staff for even letting them in. Tighter security was definitely needed.
Oasis are a great band and were brilliant live, i just cant help but think they wont ever be back in Belfast because of the minority. These idiots let us down and I was embarrassed to be there and be associated by default with this crowd. I never thought i would say this but i was embarrassed to be Irish last night
I have seen Oasis a few times over the years. They were ‘OK’. Beer throwing at Oasis gigs..what do you expect?!
The Hours were totally brilliant. I only know the Ali in the Jungle song, but they blew me away. Totally exceptional.
oasis where brill, i had seated ticket and loved watching crowd going mad and throwing beers etc. it’s part of the deal!!!! boys where moody yes, but are they ever anything else. crowd where brill and for seated ticket i never sat down. not many acts can keep crowd off seats for complete gig. bring on slane!!!1
What the hell Do you mean “the hours were brillant” ? They were absolute rubbish, A Failed copycat of Linken park (i’m not a fan)
2 Drummers? 2 Keyboard players? And a rubbish guitarist who could only play power chords? The Scene Girls must be having a field day!
Oasis = Brillant
The hours = Plain rubbish.
Honest, The Hours are nothing like Linkin Park at all!
Not even remotely. Haven’t a clue were you are coming with that one.
Well I and alot of other people like The Hours anyway.
Each to their own.