Finally, Oasis returns as fans witness a moment in history in Cardiff - review

Stop the clocks, the stars really did align, because yes, Oasis are back - and they've just reclaimed their crown as rock 'n' roll stars.

You can throw as many clichés as you like at this show and it still wouldn't quite sum up what the 60,000 plus fans cramming into the Principality Stadium in Cardiff saw, heard and felt, on Friday night.

It was biblical, celestial, majestical - all of the superlatives that Liam likes to self-anoint himself with. But on this occasion, it was no hyperbole.

This show meant everything. From the heart-tugging moment the brothers Gallagher walked out on stage arm and arm together for the first time in 16 years, through to the very last strains of Champagne Supernova ringing out.

You could see it on the faces of the band. You could see it and hear it on the faces of the fans.

Eyes widening, arms reaching out and gobs slung open belting out every single word of every single song on a setlist of dreams for any Oasis fan.

I think it's the first time I've seen a mosh pit stretch to the entire floor and right up into the seats such was the constant bouncing energy of an elated crowd not quite believing this was really happening, and that they were really here.

Given the hype and the headlines in the run up to this show, many may have wondered if the experience could really match up to it.

As Liam himself said, there has been more media coverage of this band's rehearsals than most groups get for their entire tour.

Film crews from across the world were set up outside, the BBC was doing a full live broadcast with updates, this was a show that was making international headlines before the band had even played a note.

But let me tell you, in every moment of this two hour show, it exceeded all expectations. And it now sets up the mouth-watering prospect of that big Manchester homecoming next week at Heaton Park for five huge shows.

When they arrived on stage, stroking the guitars into action with what else but Hello, what a reaction.

You half expected that roof, stuck on for the night at the Principality Stadium, to be blown straight off and they romped at blistering pace through the big hits and fan anthems - so many highlights like Acquiesce, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Whatever, Supersonic, D'You Know What I Mean. There was not a single dud song.

This was not a show riding on sheer bombast though. There were tender moments, and tributes that gave it real heart too.

During Live Forever there was a poignant tribute to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, whose number 20 shirt flashed on screen. And when Noel launched into Don't Look Back in Anger the video screens rippled with black and yellow bees - a subtle and beautiful nod to the song's significance in the week of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack of 2017.

Noel even paid his own tribute to Oasis founder member Bonehead, back on stage with the band and on great form, when he boomed out: "This f****ing legend here Bonehead."

Liam, Noel and Bonehead, together with Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Joey Waronker, looked and sounded like a band at the top of their game - which is handy given they're about to set the world on fire with this tour over the coming weeks and months.

Both Liam and Noel were in brilliant voice - when you could hear them beneath the absolute cacophony of sound from the passionate fans in the crowd that is.

And there were playful moments too - Liam asking: "Was it worth the £5,000 you paid for the ticket?" to much hilarity before swaggering out the reply "Yeahhhh".

He knows that the fans lucky enough to get a ticket in this show more than got their money's worth - not least when you throw in the really excellent support acts with both Cast and Richard Ashcroft delivering the goods at the start of this night that quite incredibly actually ran slightly earlier than the scheduled times.

You can't put a price on a moment of history like this, and the good news for fans here in Manchester is we get our moment with the reunited brothers next.

Setlist, July 4, Cardiff Principality Stadium

Hello

Acquiesce

Morning Glory

Some Might Say

Cigarettes & Alcohol

Fade Away

Supersonic

Roll With It

Bring it On Down

Noel acoustic set

Talk Tonight

Half the World Away

Little By Little

Liam returns

D'you Know What I Mean?

Stand By Me

Cast No Shadow

Slide Away

Whatever

Live Forever

Rock 'n' Roll Star

The Masterplan (Noel singing)

Don't Look Back in Anger (Noel singing)

Wonderwall

Champagne Supernova