As you have seen on the page, I have done a few “Finding The Lemon In” articles, detailing how I can hear elements of the “lemon music” genre I have somewhat made up in artists not commonly associated with that style. Another aspect of what I mean by that is that there are a lot of highly acclaimed artists and albums that would be seen as quite challenging, not particularly upbeat etc.

I want to see if I can find the festival anthem in this more high-art music, the crescendo of energy where an audience would jump up and down. Over the next few posts, I will be looking at the foundations of what I mean by this, examining crowds and what makes an audience dance and participate together.

An interesting example of this is the sporting celebration known as the “Poznań.” It involves supporters standing with their backs to the pitch, linking arms side-by-side and jumping in unison. It’s mostly associated with supporters of the football club Lech Poznań in Poland, although it has been performed by many fans of football clubs around the world, including Manchester City (I won’t get into their controversy right now)!

This celebration has been taken into a musical context through Liam Gallagher instructing fans from all over the world at the 2025 Oasis reunion shows to turn around and do the Poznań – to their 1994 staple “Cigarettes & Alcohol.” The moment looked absolutely brilliant and the song is a rocking classic.

However, one of the key criticisms of Oasis is the Noel Gallagher habit of borrowing heavily from his influences. Honestly, a lot of the references people make I didn’t notice the first time around. For example, the piano intro of “Don’t Look Back in Anger” does sound very similar to “Imagine” by John Lennon. I gotta say though, I never noticed it before – it’s just a very common chord progression being played on the piano.

Nonetheless, there are a few more obvious instances and the most plainly blatant has to be “Cigarettes & Alcohol.” It cribs the riff of “Get It On” by T. Rex almost note for note! I still enjoy the song, and think it adds a jubilant uplifting feel of its own, but it’s still pretty lazy!

*of course Noel was spotted refusing to take part in the celebration at a Man City match. Typical Noel!

T. Rex themselves are another classic glam rock band, having looked at the Ziggy Stardust album by David Bowie. “Get It On” comes from their definitive 1971 album Electric Warrior. An interesting aspect of the album to me is how it is simultaneously down and dirty rock n roll, yet quite pleasant and mellow at the same time.

There are cool guitar riffs, but a heavy presence of strings and rhythmic groove – bongos, tambourines and simple driving drumbeats. Even the more acoustic-leaning tracks have plenty of oomph behind them. I believe these characteristics make the album still feel quite modern. The high-backing vocals may annoy some people, but don’t with me particularly. I’m more interested in the other aspects of the music I have detailed.

T. Rex and this album have been influential to countless artists – one of whom is of course Oasis! Even if Cigarettes & Alcohol is one of Noel’s more shameful borrowings, it is still a monstrous rock n roll tune that is the perfect soundtrack for the Poznań.

The Poznań is a fascinating example of crowd participation and the simple power of getting an audience to jump up and down to your music. Thousands of individuals become one giant, synchronised unit. The music provides the energy and suddenly a familiar song becomes something much bigger than the recording itself. That’s what I mean by a festival anthem!