If you were at Party in the Park on 10 November 2017, you’ll remember exactly how it felt when Liam Gallagher hit the stage at Dubai’s Media City Amphitheatre with that impossible swagger and opened with Rock ’n’ Roll Star. For thousands in the crowd it was a rare chance to see one of Britpop’s most infamous frontmen live in the UAE, and right from the first note it was clear he wasn’t there to play it safe.
The night began, somewhat cheekily, with “Mr. Sandman” over the speakers, setting a playful contrast before Gallagher burst into life with “Rock ’n’ Roll Star” and “Morning Glory”. Those opening Oasis classics got an immediate reaction, the sort of crowd command only those anthems carry.
As The National noted, Gallagher had the audience in the palm of his hand at this early point, though the momentum shifted a bit when he moved into the solo material from As You Were — his first post‑Oasis album.
“Gallagher hit the stage at about 8.15pm, bursting into life with Oasis favourite Rock ’n’ Roll Star before playing another Oasis classic Morning Glory. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand at this point, so naturally decided to spend the next half an hour playing tracks from his recently released solo album As You Were that it is safe to assume the crowd either hadn’t heard or didn’t greatly care about.”
The National
That’s not to say he phoned it in. Standouts such as “Wall of Glass,” “Paper Crown,” “Bold,” and “For What It’s Worth” had Gallagher strutting and singing with confidence. But you could feel when Oasis favourites returned — that’s when the crowd truly woke up.
By the time “Some Might Say”, “Slide Away”, and “Be Here Now” rolled around, there were chants, fist pumps, and a raucous sing‑along energy.
The encore leaned fully into Oasis territory with “Cigarettes & Alcohol” and finished on “Wonderwall”, the moment the entire amphitheatre felt like one giant voice.
“Gallagher, for the most part, gave the crowd exactly what they wanted. The Oasis favourites went down a storm, though the muted reaction to his solo numbers suggested that his future pay cheques probably lie in his back catalogue rather than any newfound song writing genius. He put on an entirely professional and entertaining show..”
The National
What’s striking in hindsight is how the set mixed the new with the old. Liam’s solo work was solid, professional, but it was clear where the main enthusiasm lay: in the songs that defined a generation.
Setlist
Liam Gallagher — Party in the Park 2017 (Dubai)
1. Mr. Sandman (intro)
2. Rock ’n’ Roll Star (Oasis)
3. Morning Glory (Oasis)
4. Greedy Soul
5. Wall of Glass
6. Paper Crown
7. Bold
8. For What It’s Worth
9. Some Might Say (Oasis)
10. Slide Away (Oasis)
11. I Get By
12. You Better Run
13. Be Here Now (Oasis)
Encore:
14. Cigarettes & Alcohol (Oasis)
15. Wonderwall (Oasis)
