After the ludicrous props (Rolls Royce, clock, phone box) that cluttered the stage of their uncomfortable Be Here Now tour, the year 2000 saw Oasis wisely dispense with the theatrics and concentrate on being the world's greatest stadium pub rock band. And so, with just three mammoth video walls for company, they toured the stadia of the world. Big as the video screens were, there was little to see. Instead the drama, tension and entertainment of the Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants tour lay in just two simple things: the band's straight-ahead rock and Liam Gallagher's mouth. Joyously, fine examples of both were recorded when they played Wembley Stadium. Musically, Oasis make good their claims to be the biggest and the best, with "Supersonic", "Shakermaker", "Cigarettes & Alcohol" and "Live Forever" rocking like the pub classics they are.

For American audiences, the phenomenal worldwide success of Oasis was a little puzzling. That's because they only had part of the picture – unless they were hardcore fans, they didn't hear nearly three albums of material released on B-sides and non-LP singles. Critics and fans alike claimed that the best of these B-sides were as strong as the best moments on the albums, and they were right. None of the albums had a song that rocked as hard as "Fade Away" (cleverly built on a stolen melody from Wham!'s "Freedom"), "Headshrinker," or "Acquiesce." There was nothing as charming as the lite psychedelic pastiche "Underneath the Sky" or the Bacharach tribute "Going Nowhere"; there was nothing as affecting as Noel Gallagher's acoustic plea "Talk Tonight" or the minor-key, McCartney-esque "Rockin' Chair," nothing as epic as "The Masterplan." Most bands wouldn't throw songs of this caliber away on B-sides, but Noel Gallagher followed the example of his heroes the Jam and the Smiths, who released singles where the B-sides rivaled the A-sides. This meant many American fans missed these songs, so to remedy this situation, Oasis released the B-sides compilation The Masterplan.

Liam Gallagher documents his triumphant two-night Knebworth Park shows with the release of the live album Knebworth 22. Returning to the scene of the era-defining Oasis gigs of the ‘90s, the huge audience stretched from fans who had been present some 26 years earlier right through to teenagers relishing the excitement of their first big gig. Knebworth 22 is a must-have live album for any fan who wants to relive the experience.

Liam Gallagher’s third solo studio album C’MON YOU KNOW looks set to be one of the biggest album events of the year. Anticipation for the album was ignited with the lead single “Everything’s Electric,” which powered into the UK Top 20 as Liam’s biggest solo hit so far. Now Liam unleashes the album’s title track, “C’MON YOU KNOW” – featuring Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig on saxophone – which is out now on Warner Records. While “C’MON YOU KNOW” pulsates with the traits that have made Liam such an iconic figure – a raucous rock ‘n’ roll anthem topped by his signature snarl – it’s also a strong step forward in terms of both attitude and audio. Musically it’s layered with unexpected sonic touches: surging Motown-tinged gospel backing vocals, shrieking saxophone from Ezra Koenig, and vintage Moog synths heightening the sonic maelstrom.

Originally streamed on December 5, 2020, the show became one of the most memorable performances of the lockdown era. Liam followed the precedent set by the Sex Pistols and The Clash, and decided to hit the River Thames, armed with a boatload of attitude, a phenomenal live band (including Bonehead) and an arsenal of classic songs. Acclaim included a four-star review from i, who declared the show to be, “A reminder of why the younger Gallagher is now the fans’ favourite.”