Noel has the last laugh, though, as his High Flying Birds have gone from debut album and gigs at the Forum to smashing the O2 in a mere matter of months.

The secret to Noel’s success is that he has managed to keep Oasis fans on side with the Birds, while striking out in a new direction. Displaying a more mature, less ambiguous songwriting approach, his self-titled debut album went straight to the top of the charts, lead single The Death Of You And Me symbolising the album’s tone, style attitude and smarts. More importantly, it avoided any of the naff reviews and snide comments that dogged Liam’s comeback.

The most triumphant thing about this post-Oasis return is that Noel has quickly established himself as an emerging elder statesman of rock, a Paul Weller for a new generation, the man who’s seen it all and emerged the other side, integrity intact and with a smart one-liner to boot.

The older Gallagher’s got a bag stuffed with top tunes, which is really what it’s all about and, as chief songwriter in Oasis, he’s bound to chuck in a few of his old band’s classics, too. Promising to be back with new material later this year, old Noel’s not resting on his laurels any time soon.

The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX
Sun, Feb 26 | Doors at 7pm |  £40
theo2.co.uk
Tube: North Greenwich