Ten years ago, British rock was declared The Next Big Thing. Bands like Blur, Radiohead and Oasis were generating huge interest and sideburns were once cool again. The times (and the haircut du jour) have changed and right now it’s all about the ‘80s! New Wave! Post Punk! The anticipation for tonight is high, naturally. Can Oasis prove to us that they are still relevant and worthy of their once self-proclaimed “best band ever” tag?

Newcomers The Checks walk onstage. Providing loud, ballsy rock that seems more suitable for an inner city pub than the Hordern, the influences range from Australian staples such as AC/DC and Cold Chisel through to newer artists such as The Black Keys and The White Stripes. Sure the guitarist looks like a splitting image of Napoleon Dynamite, but hey that’s a good thing – rock and roll forever!

Oasis stride onstage confidently to a rapturous applause. There are so many backpackers in the room, judging from the banter surrounding me and suddenly, I feel like it I’m at the Olympics. There are flags, team colours and an array of football jerseys amongst the crowd.

Unfortunately there seems to be a problem with Liam Gallagher’s microphone as the sound fades in and out during the first one and a half songs. People are laughing and Liam at first, seems unaware of the glitch. However, all is quickly sorted and the crowd cheers. Gallagher laughs and asks the crowd “Can you all hear me now?”

To be honest, there’s not much stage presence aside from the “You guy’s are fookin’ great Sydney” and the occasional tricky move from the tambourine but all is forgiven because Oasis play like all bands should. Tight executions combined with songs such as Champagne Supernova and Songbird, providing melodies that are unforgettable, obvious from the crowd’s reactions to such tracks.

The Noel and Liam rivalry is significant as I quietly watch the two swap lead vocals throughout the set. The older Noel is strictly business, whereas Liam is clearly the frontman. His vocals are gravelly from the one too many cigarettes, but song after song is beautifully performed – with attitude, and loads of it.

Sydney tonight is treated to a proper fucking rock show. The poignant Live Forever and it’s catchy chorus is especially fitting in this current world state while the classic Wonderwall transports us back to 1995 and the memories associated with it. Sure Oasis are no longer on the front of the NME and Q but I can guarantee you that in ten years time the Gallagher brothers and company will still be making music.