Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Take Flight in Toronto for North American Debut

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds made their official North American debut Monday night (Nov. 7) at Toronto's Massey Hall, with a roughly 90-minute, 20-song set marginally tilted towards the guitarist's post-Oasis phase.

The 44-year-old Gallagher seemed to be finding his way as frontman throughout the show, tearing through the early portion with just enough time to change guitars. However, he smartly opened up with a few Oasis efforts in '(It's Good) to be Free' and the foot stomper 'Mucky Fingers' oozing a Velvet Underground influence.

Saying it was "going to be a long f---ing night" and apologizing in advance, Gallagher and his seasoned four-piece band generally fared well with the material from their yet-to-be released new self-titled album.

The Beatles-esque head-bobber 'Dream On' and the galloping dance-rock nugget 'AKA... What a Life!' flowed while 'Soldier Boys and Jesus Freaks' was a busy little number whose bark was louder than its bite.

In fact, one of the better efforts was a song not found on the new record nor a new B-side. 'Freaky Teeth' was a huge blast of bombastic Brit pop that followed the breezy, ambling 'The Death of You and Me.' Meanwhile '(Stranded On) the Wrong Beach' underwhelmed despite closing the set.

Gallagher didn't have to do much when it came to the Oasis selections such as a Wilco-ized 'Talk Tonight' and the warm, folksy 'Half the World Away.' He would strum the first few notes and from there the fans gladly took over. A middle portion featuring 'Wonderwall' and 'Supersonic' came off as "unplugged" renditions with the fantastic drummer Jeremy Stacey (sporting a bowler hat and pounding the skins heavily a la John Bonham) and keyboardist Mike Rowe adding sweet accents.

Watch Noel Gallagher Perform 'Wonderwall'

Fans hoping for vitriolic barbs from Noel regarding his estrangement from Liam were disappointed. In the encore, a fan informed Noel of seeing Liam's band Beady Eye earlier this year and knocked his choice of footwear. "Were they high heels?" Noel -- who might now sport the world's bushiest eyebrows after Andy Rooney's passing -- quipped. Other than that though Noel kept quiet, not mentioning the infamous 2008 incident at Toronto's Virgin Festival where he was assaulted onstage leaving him with cracked ribs.

Stating he was contractually obligated to play one more song, fans started booing realizing that the band wouldn't be churning out any more nuggets on this night. "My first f---ing solo gig in Canada and you boo me off?" Gallagher retorted before 'Don't Look Back in Anger' wrapped things up, jokingly booing at the fans before walking off. Sadly, there was no 'Columbia' -- not even an instrumental version.

Gallagher continues his North American tour with another Toronto show before heading Stateside. The band has dates booked through 2012 with Japan, Europe and Mexico confirmed.

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