As a defining image, it’s an unexpected choice: a sizeable portrait of Burt Bacharach sits in front of the drum riser, drawing the eye as a giant digital clock counts back the years to 1994. A songwriter of classic pop who died last year at age 94, the US artist seems an unlikely totem for a band – Oasis – whose general disdain for America, and surly investment in rock’n’roll, were core beliefs.
But Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher brought a Bacharach album to the photo shoot for the cover of the band’s debut album, Definitely Maybe (1994) – a photograph fondly recreated in spirit onstage tonight in an attempt to perk up this bland arena space. Flamingos, fake palm trees and a globe dot the decor, harking back to props from the shot taken in Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs’ front room. Later, animated packets of Benson & Hedges fly around the backdrop during a merry rendition of LP curio Digsy’s Dinner, along with cartoon goblets of red wine (Ribena in the photo shoot). Alongside the cigarettes and alcohol? Strobing pop art lasagne, as featured in the song’s lyrics.
