Noel Gallagher, The Enemy and Jake Bugg at Belsonic

Today marks a momentous occasion, one of the best songwriters of his generation, Mr Noel Gallagher takes to the Belsonic stage alongside The Enemy who recently released their new album Streets In The Sky, which reached number 9 in the UK album charts. Also on the bill was the young Jake Bugg who at just 18 has already supported the Stone Roses at their free London gig and been announced as support on a joint American tour between Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Snow Patrol. The young singer who has been compared to his idols Don McLean and Bob Dylan releases his debut album this October.

Bugg came on stage at about 7pm and played a selection of released and unreleased songs including material of his Taste It EP. Originally shaking once he got into his stride and played a few songs he got into the way of things. Both Taste It and Trouble Town received good crowd reactions but his last song Lightning Bolt, which was the Radio One’s Hottest Record got the best reception. Jake triumphantly left to a raucous applause, a definite one to watch for the future!

Next to grace the stage were Coventry’s finest trio The Enemy. Welcomed by an almost full Belsonic crowd it was clear that The Enemy were a much anticipated support act. The passionate frontman Tom Clarke greeted the Belfast crowd before launching into new fan favourite Gimme The Sign before launching into an aggressive performance of Aggro off We’ll Live And Die In These Towns. Playing favourites from all 3 albums including the new album the enemy finished up with a brilliant rendition of This Song, a mass sing along of We’ll Live and Die in These Towns, everyone’s arms aloft before finishing up on their usual set finisher You’re Not Alone. A fantastic support act, could definitely see them back and headlining at next year’s Belsonic. Now for the Chief!

Noel takes to the stage around 9:30 and opens with the popular B-side ‘It’s Good To Be Free’, a song originally sung by his brother Liam on the Masterplan album. He then launched into a string of hits from his recent ‘Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ album including singles ‘Everybody’s On The Run’ and a break for the slow and beautiful ‘If I Had A Gun’ receiving a huge singalong.

He dedicated the ‘rock meet dance’ AKA…What A Life’ to his beloved Manchester City as well as throughout taking jibes at onlookers watching the gig free from their balconies looking onto the venue. Although the High Flying Birds Material was received with approval it was evident may were there solely to hear his back catalogue of Oasis songs. His acoustic version of supersonic was a great treat before tracks like ‘Half the World Away’ and ‘Talk Tonight’ also were met warmly by a loud crowd. To finish Noel played the non-album Oasis single ‘Whatever’ before a spine tingling version of 1996 hit ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’. Leaving the crowd to sing the chorus’ shivers, as well as cold pints were sent up the backs of many. Noel left the stage to applause and cries for an encore after Noel’s set only lasting an hour but with the quality of the line-up and form of The Chief it would have been hard to have left disappointed. (Chris Hanna)

Photos : Andrew Stewart