Liam Gallagher & John Squire made their North American live debut @ Brooklyn Paramount (pics, video)
“LIAM! LIAM! LIAM!” Those who weren’t actual British people in the crowd at Brooklyn Paramount on Thursday night were definitely Anglophiles. The lights went down just after 9 PM, and the chants started as Liam Gallagher and John Squire took the stage for what is currently their only North American show to promote the Oasis singer and Stone Roses guitarist’s collaborative debut album.
As with all the other shows Gallagher and Squire have played so far, they’re only playing songs from that album, always in the same order. With the album only being 40 minutes long, their set was padded out by an encore cover of the Stones’ “Jumping Jack Flash” (which they’ve also done at every show) and a lot of blues soloing from Squire, during which Liam often left the stage.
Like the album, when they stuck to the big Britpoppy-anthems like “Raise Your Hands,” “Mars to Liverpool,” “Just Another Rainbow,” “Make it Up as You Go Along,” and “One Day at a Time,” the show was fun; the rest, especially during those long blues jams, may have had some members of the audience thinking of another song on the album, “I’m So Bored.”
Gallagher was in good voice and spirits, though, engaging with the crowd and giving away his maracas to fans before picking up another shaker or tambourine. Their very talented backing band — including drummer Joey Waronker (REM, Beck), bassist Barrie Cadogan (of Little Barrie) and keyboardist Chris Madden (Earlies) — sounded great, but energy levels never seemed to go above a gentle simmer. Maybe it was just me…most of the crowd seemed to be loving it.
The show was opened by American singer-songwriter John-Robert who repeatedly told the audience he couldn’t believe he got this gig in between his lightly jazzy solo acoustic numbers.
A couple other notes:
- For this being their only North American show, they had an impressive line of merch, including Reni-style bucket hats, which sold out quick.
- On that note, it’s weird they’re not playing LA while here…could they be a last-minute Coachella add like Vampire Weekend?
- This was my first time at Brooklyn Paramount, which only opened a couple weeks before this, and I was pretty impressed. “It’s a bit like John’s house,” Liam cracked at one point, commenting on the luxe renovations which are genuinely gorgeous. I look forward to going back.
Check out photos by P Squared and video from the show below.
Liam & John played Fallon the night before the Brooklyn gig.
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SETLIST: Liam Gallagher & John Squire @ Brooklyn Paramount 4/11/2024
Just Another Rainbow
One Day at a Time
I’m a Wheel
Love You Forever
Make It Up as You Go Along
You’re Not the Only One
I’m So Bored
Mars to Liverpool
Mother Nature’s Song
Raise Your Hands
Encore:
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
