The legendary Britpop band Oasis is set to ignite the stage tonight at Cardiff's imposing Principality Stadium in Wales, embarking on their long-awaited reunion tour that has music enthusiasts buzzing with anticipation. After a 16-year hiatus, the British rock titans' return marks a monumental occasion for their die-hard fans, who eagerly await the reunion of brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, even as some wager on whether the feuding siblings can maintain their unity throughout the highly anticipated Live '25 tour.
"The allure of Oasis lies partly in their element of unpredictability," remarks author and music journalist John Aizlewood, noting that the band's "alternative aura, nurtured through the timeless tale of feuding brothers in pop culture," adds to their magnetic appeal. A mesmerizing spectacle of drones soared above Principality Stadium, displaying Oasis' iconic logo in a grand prelude to the concert.
Provided the brothers' fiery relationship doesn't derail the festivities, two nights of rocking revelry at Cardiff's 70,000-capacity Principality Stadium, on Friday and Saturday, will serve as the curtain raiser for a grand 41-date Live '25 tour. Following 19 stops across the UK and Ireland, the band will traverse North and South America, Asia, and Australia, culminating in a final showdown in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 23rd. For fans in mainland Europe, the journey either involves embarking on a pilgrimage, resigning to heartfelt sorrow, or embracing the rollercoaster ride as it unfolds.
Born on the gritty streets of Manchester in 1991, Oasis emerged as a force to be reckoned with when they unleashed their maiden album, 'Definitely Maybe,' in 1994, cementing their status as one of the UK's leading acts of the 1990s. The band racked up an impressive eight UK No. 1 albums, delivering chart-topping hits such as 'Wonderwall,' 'Roll With It,' and 'Don’t Look Back in Anger'—all gems from their seminal album '(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?,' which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
Tragically, Oasis disbanded in 2009 following a fiery altercation backstage at a Paris-nearby festival between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher. The incident, which saw Liam smash his brother's red Gibson guitar in a heated dispute prior to a concert, is widely regarded as the catalyst for the band's breakup, igniting years of very public sibling squabbles.
Now aged 58 and 52 respectively, the Gallagher brothers have refrained from sharing the stage since then, although both have routinely included Oasis classics in their solo performances. They steadfastly refused to succumb to reunion pressures, even when faced with the allure of a multimillion-dollar payday.
However, they have now consented to embark on a tour that will reunite them with former Oasis members Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs and Gem Archer on guitars, bassist Andy Bell, and drummer Joey Waronker.
The announcement of their UK tour in August ignited a ticket-buying frenzy, resulting in error messages, lengthy online queues, shattered hopes, and outrage over last-minute price surges. Fans who endured hours-long waits on the Ticketmaster site lamented paying £355 for regular standing tickets, far exceeding the anticipated £148.
The ticketing chaos prompted parliamentary inquiries in the UK, with Arts Minister Chris Bryant condemning "practices that leave live event fans blindsided by steep price hikes." Subsequently, Britain's competition regulator threatened legal action against Ticketmaster, which facilitated the sale of roughly 900,000 Oasis tickets.
UK show tickets sold out within hours, with some resale websites listing them for as high as £6,000. In response, the band cancelled over 50,000 tickets sold on secondary platforms.
As of now, there are no plans for Oasis to record new music, with their last album, 'Dig Out Your Soul,' dating back to 2008. This year's world tour is being billed as a unique, one-off event—for the time being.
