GIG REVIEW ll RYAN ADAMS ll SHEFFIELD CITY HALL ll 24/09/24

Words by Ryan Oxley 

Sat in the third row at the front of the stage, the 75% capacity Sheffield City Hall (this was a Tuesday night) seemed eager to applaud Americana singer/songwriter Ryan Adams, who was due on stage at 20:00. As the lights dimmed at 20.05, and I've been a fan of his for 20 years, my excitement was palpable at my first time seeing him live. It was a solo show, so I expected this to be a Ryan Adams plus guitars show. 

 I wasn't expecting a piano, a coat rack, or dim lights, which gave the evening a cabaret club feel. Sat within a metre of two of the ‘Gimme Something Good’ tunesmith, I had a perfect seat, but I did feel for those who would have sat much further back, the atmosphere (just like the guitars) wasn't electric - it was dark and in more ways than one. Ryan Adams seemed self-deprecating, dour and came across as arrogant.

Although his eclectic back catalogue and demonstratable music talent were present tonight, the eagerness of the audience virtually disappeared about three songs into the set-list, when Adams stopped the show to complain about camera phones, and their flashes ruining his concentration. 

Although billed as a 3-hour 30-song show, which he did complete, he threatened to call the show off earlier if the cameras continued flashing, so the audience seemed to cool, although the atmosphere did not. Ryan had guitar tech ‘Drew’ and a lightning guy - that was it. When the music flowed, you could have heard a pin drop. However, at times he appeared distracted, had his back to the audience when on piano, and even singled out a fan, whom he called a ''douchebag'' for taking some film of one of his songs; ‘'It’s (the footage) is for a friend who couldn't make the gig tonight’' said the fan, but Ryan was not amused. 

He (Ryan) spoke candidly in between songs about depression and sobriety, which is perfectly fine ( I think I misconstrued the self-deprecation for that) but being sat so close whilst he chastised fans was seriously awkward. 

Calling the interval early, Ryan came back on stage in a markedly different disposition and gave an incredible second half of the show, delving into his mighty back catalogue and showcasing talent, yet the atmosphere remained remarkably dour. 

I'd waited 20 years for this gig and paid £70 for the pleasure, all whilst sat at the front, but had I been sat further back? I would have probably left earlier, and unlike Ryan Adams, I would have meant it. 

Ryan Adams is still on tour 

www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com 

Have you seen a brilliant artist who was also a bit of a douchebag? 

Let me know in the comments section. 

OASIS - TEN OF THEIR BEST SONGS?…

 

... (in my opinion) 

Words by Ryan Oxley 

News of OASIS returning to the music scene has reignited my passion for the 1990s Britpop legends. I didn't rush to Ticketmaster to be robbed by dynamic pricing as I’d seen the lads twice; once in 1997 on the BE HERE NOW tour (my first ever gig, at Sheffield Arena) and at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester for the 2005 DONT BELIEVE THE TRUTH  tour. As an original 1990s fan, I didn't have the mod hair-do, but I did have 20 Benson & Hedges, a Ben Sherman shirt, and an acoustic guitar - I was even in a band. I had all the albums on CD, and those b-sides were so strong they could have been lead singles. 

For my latest article, I thought I’d crack out an OASIS listicle and give you TEN of my absolute OASIS favourite tracks; 

10. HEY NOW: Track 8 on their second album was always a stand-out for me. Heavier than other songs on this class rock album. It’s a stunning song and not necessarily one of their most famous tracks

9.  CAST NO SHADOW: the guitar chords are very ‘Wonderwall’ and this song, apparently inspired by The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft has a strong imagery at the heart of its lyrics. 

8. GAS PANIC: 4th album syndrome it isn't, as Noel’s lament to the panic of drug addiction (from ‘Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants’) still manages to be anthemic, and could almost be a sister song to Champagne Supernova. 

7. DON'T GO AWAY: This football stadium rock anthem singalong contains all the hallmarks of an Oasis classic. Liam’s tender vocals and Noel’s masterful guitar lead remind me why the Oasis reunion is so important. 

6. ACQUIESCE: I spoke about B-Sides at the start of this article - this is what I meant. A barnstorming rock anthem, this was the other side to the band's first N0.1 single ‘Some Might Say’ 

5. HALF THE WORLD AWAY: released in 1994, as the flip-side to ‘Whatever’ this B-side is one of my favourite songs ever, never mind an OASIS track, and of course the theme tune to the BBC’s greatest ever sitcom, The Royle Family. 

4. LIVE FOREVER: the early 90s seem so far away, but many of these songs still sound so vivid and are the soundtrack of my youth. This song is stunning!: that lead riff, an all-important love song, and without a doubt, one of Liam’s finest vocal performances. 

3. SHE’S ELECTRIC: Intended as a song on ‘Definitely Maybe’  this is an OASIS track from (What's The Story) Morning Glory, and is standard on most indie radio stations, although never released as a single - a sing-a-long stonker. A story that could easily have been in The Royle Family this song is a working-class anthem, featuring Liam’s falsetto and The Beatles ‘With a Little Help from My Friends' ending. 

2. SUPERSONIC: I've a vague memory of seeing them perform this on The Word, that railway rooftop video, and what a debut - a statement of rock n roll intent that still sounds huge decades later. What a way for OASIS to start a career. 

1. SLIDE AWAY: the production of this song is different from every other song on ‘Definitely Maybe’ and it’s audible, arguably one of their finest songs. Again, we have that juxtaposition of Noels guitar/songwriting genius and Liam's incredible vocals.  

Let's hope this reuniting gives fans everything they deserve in 2025. Songs that didn't make this list would include: Wonderwall, Stop Crying Your Heart Out, Talk Tonight, Guess God Thinks I’m Abel, Dont Look Back In Anger (wildly overrated) Stand By Me, Roll With It, Fade Away … and so many more! 

What are your favourite OASIS tracks? Feel free to comment! 

www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com