Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Summer in the City
Castlefield Bowl, Manchester 

NOTHING quite says Manchester like a Gallagher brother and a spot of rain.

And on Saturday night, as the drizzle thankfully cleared, fans of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - and Oasis - were treated to an assured set by the singer-songwriter.

Appearing as part of Summer in the City, at Manchester's Castlefield Bowl, he strolled on stage at 9pm on the dot and launched into Dream On, from NGHFB's self-titled 2011 debut album.

Followed by Everybody's On The Run, the crowd had a good old singalong but it was - inevitably - the Oasis tracks which got the best reaction and they did not have to wait long to hear one.

Just a few tracks in, the audience was treated to reminiscent B-side Fade Away followed by Riverman - a highlight from NGHFB's latest album, Chasing Yesterday. 

Most of the crowd looked like they were probably Oasis fans first time around and there was a great atmosphere as the sun went down in Noel's home city. 

A stranger said to me, yeah, but he's not a good a frontman as Liam and - while I would love nothing more than to see the pair back on stage together - for me, it's all about Noel's song-writing genius. 

The Dying of the Light sounded fantastic and the lyrics are signature Noel at his very best. 

There were some more Oasis classics in the shape of Whatever, Masterplan and Champagne Supernova before the set was brought to a close with an en masse rendition of Don't Look Back in Anger.

My only complaint, Noel, where was the encore? I could have happily listened all night. 

Support was from Johnny Marr and Black Rivers.