Oasis Reunion
The announcement of the Oasis reunion has sent shockwaves across the UK, sending millennials into a frenzy to secure a much-coveted ticket. The show, with 17 tour dates spread over 44 days, sold out in a matter of hours, with Ticketmaster even increasing their prices on the go to meet this "surge in demand." The popularity of the group reflects their long-standing cultural impact ever since the release of their pioneering first album "Definitely Maybe" in 1994. The shows promise to attract crowds that will compete with the record-breaking feats of Taylor Swift’s "The Eras Tour." After all, they have been broken up since 2009. You can expect a vastly different show, however, from the recent Wembley concerts, where 1990s nostalgia will reign supreme.
Oasis singers Liam and Noel Gallagher. Getty Images
How and Why?
The long-awaited reunion tour will coincide with the 30th anniversary of their biggest selling second album, “(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?”, which has sold over 22 million copies worldwide. Once the initial surge of ticket sales had passed, then the mania truly began. Resale sites were seen listing tickets for as much as £7,000 for a Wembley seat. Despite these ludicrous resale prices likely being rejected for the actual tour, it proves just how popular the Live ‘25 tour already is. Much has been said about the unseemly coincidence of the tour coming just in time to bail Noel out of his costly divorce proceedings. After all, the tour is projected to bring in around £500 million in ticket sales alone. Liam and Noel are projected to pocket at least £50 million each, if not more. After years of animosity and public insults, is there more to this peace accord than what the cynics claim?
Both brothers have had successful solo musical careers since the band’s initial break-up. Noel’s High Flying Birds have seen widespread success, while Liam has recently sold out Knebworth, performing a Definitely Maybe tour all on his own. As a result, both remain rich and successful in their own right. Perhaps it is more about reuniting a broken family, coming together at the right place and the right time. The success of the ABBA reunion is proof of this venture being worthwhile. Despite never physically performing on stage, the Swedish pop group reunited through digital avatars for the ABBA Voyage tour. Those shows saw 2 million people come through the door. However cynical the money view may seem, the prospect of reignited success and global acclaim is a hard thing to turn down.
Oasis Live ‘25
What can we expect to see when the show kicks off in Cardiff on July 4th, 2025? With the recent sellouts seen at Wembley, it is impossible not to compare Live ‘25 with Taylor Swift’s success. Yet, any images in your head of cowboy boots and sparkly outfits, akin to those of the Eras Tour, should be discarded. Instead, expect full ‘90s Britpop nostalgia of Umbro, Adidas, and Stone Island patches as far as the eye can see. Instead of swapping friendship bracelets, expect to see cans of Carlsberg being passed around. As much as the Gallagher brothers would loathe the prospect, there is the possibility of fans recreating the friendship bracelet trend for Oasis songs. But that is likely the extent of the similarities. Expect bucket hats and parkas in true 1990s Oasis, working class football culture fashion.
That cultural shift will not just be in throngs of the crowd either. Where Taylor changed outfits around sixteen times per show, the Gallagher brothers will opt for the less glamorous approach of standing and singing for the show’s duration. Behind them will be the rest of the band playing a variety of instruments, likely with a simple band logo on display for the crowds to see. Choreographed dances and flashing light sequences are, to say the least, unexpected. That nostalgic feel aligns itself with Oasis’ position at the top of British music culture 30 years ago. Tickets for the most popular band would set you back at most £40. So, without all the glitz and glam of modern pop shows and concerts, is it really worth the money?
Worth The Wait?
Is the reunion a guaranteed success, or is it more ‘maybe’ than ‘definitely’? Loyal Oasis fans have made sure that financially the reunion is already worthwhile. Whether the show lives up to the hype largely depends on the Gallaghers themselves. It will be clear whether their hearts are truly in on making an almighty comeback into British pop culture. Alternatively, the shows may appear forced and leaning in the direction of a money-grabbing scheme. Even so, it is likely to entrance the hundreds of thousands piling into these stadiums, regardless of the true value of the performances. In that regard, the cultural impact of thirty years ago could resurrect itself to a younger audience, cementing Oasis’ status as the greatest band of their era.
Oasis at the BRIT Awards in 1995: Via JMEnternational/Getty Images
The show will likely be remembered for what it is. An unexpected reunion of a legendary band which has cemented its place at the pinnacle of British music culture. The Live ‘25 tour is as much a historical event as it is a musical experience. In terms of jampacking as many songs and performances to engage the audience, it may not be as much value for money as an Eras Tour performance might be. However, for the die-hard Oasis fans, the experience goes far beyond that. It is pure nostalgia and reminiscence of 1990s Britain, transporting the audience to their teenage years. It matters less what happens on stage when the music transports you to a different place, reviving feelings and memories of a bygone era. It is hard to put a price on that.
