Aibu to wonder what makes Liam Gallagher a good frontman?

[Funkyslippers]

OK I'll start by saying I've never really liked Oasis' songs but I think Noel is quite talented. I also like some of the stuff they've both done since Oasis. But whenever I see Liam perform either solo or with the band I can't help but wonder why people rate him so much? He just stands there with his hands behind his back (doesnt ge get neckache?) & hits a tambourine occasionally. He doesn't seem to have much stage presence. Happy to be proved wrong

I agree with all you say, but - he’s got something! Natural magnetism.

It's called charisma and it's subjective. Some love him, some think he's shite. Same as every other front man in history.

He has swagger. It take supreme confidence to 'just' stand and sing as he does, but all of it has been carefully crafted: the mic is just that bit too high so he has to tilt up his head, his considered stagewear, his supressed aggression.

I admit to a bias, not because I like Oasis especially, but I worked on a Britpop touring show and our 'Liam' was a dear friend of mine. When we were working on developing his character it was actually really hard to mute every typical frontman affectation to get the actor/singer into his role - frontmen are, usually, all about being larger than life, in yer face, etc, so to hold down that spot by doing what Liam does (doesn't do) is amazing. It shouldn't work. And yet, it does.

My lovely friend passed away earlier this year. He was the Liamest Liam who ever Liamed without being Liam.

I understand that but I'd say that to have charisma you need to actually move around the stage, not just stand there? Even musicians with guitars or other instruments come away from the mic for a bit to actually engage with the audience

What makes him different is that he doesn’t move around and yet captures the audience. It is understated and clever. Especially as he’s so mouthy. It’s almost the least thing you expect from him. His attitude is strong enough not to need it. Loved them back in the day, find it all too nasal now!

Arrogance.

Runs and hides.

I think the word is swagger.
A bit like Mick Jagger.
(Ooh that rhymes).

The second most boring band I’ve ever seen live - sadly

Neil Tenant isn't known for moving about much but he is fantastic still.

Sneaks back in...

Who is the first most boring?

Yes we need to know who is the first. Important data.

It takes a lot of confidence and stage presence to stand still in front of massive crowds and just let your magnitism do the talking. He’s like that slightly aggressive bloke in the pub who you never know when he might kick off. He’s not particularly good looking but he’s extraordinarily attractive.

Sadly, as a huge Jam fan it was Paul Weller! 1 hour of self indulgent musical wanking!

Ah yes. Can totes believe it. 😂
As you were.

Liam is relatable to his fans. He's a working class hero. He's not especially good looking or talented but he's a superstar. Other normal people look up to him and think that could be me". That's the appeal.

Can't really picture Liam leaping around the stage saying "put your hands in the air and make some noise!"

"Put your fooking 'ands in the air and make some fooking noise" maybe

He's not a good frontman. Brett Anderson of Suede - now there's a good frontman, if we're talking 90s britpop bands. Honourable mentions too to Skin from Skunk Anansie, Sonya from Echobelly and Damon Albarn on a good night.

You can't be 'proved wrong', because stage presence can't be measured in dance moves.

Think about newsreaders. All they do is sit there and read a rolling autocue. Yet some are legendary broadcasters and some could walk past you in Sainsbury's and you couldn't place them.

It's charisma and you can't fake it or bottle it. Liam Gallagher is Liam Gallagher, that's all there is to it.

Relatable to his fans, yes, but that doesn't mean he has stage presence. If I wasn't a fan before, him standing there would not make me a fan. I've been to gigs before not knowing anything about the artist, or known thrm but mot been kee on them, and been blown away after seeing them live. I just can't imagine that happening with Oasis

I was coming on to say arrogance but @PerkyMintDeer beat me to it

I agree, Brett Anderson is amazing. I also loved Michael Hutchence & of course Freddie Mercury (both rip)

He's got the X factor which is an inherent thing.

Watch someone like Richard Ashcroft trying to have it and you'll see it can't be manufactured.

Plus Liam is very funny!

Yeah but he has different poses when he sings, he moves his arms around a bit & he has good costumes

Wayne coyne from flaming lips has it. He's only little, but he's got a kind of demi-god-like aura about him.