Spotlight on Openers
Oasis 2025 and Pricey Tickets: Is the Splurge Justified When You Have Richard Ashcroft and the Gallaghers on the Same Night?
Richard Ashcroft in 1997 for the collection "The Verve: Photographs by Chris Floyd". Photo courtesy of Chris Floyd © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
July 4, 2025, is already set to be a memorable date, thanks to the highly anticipated return of Oasis to the stage. You may have heard, since August 2024, that complaints and controversy have arisen regarding the exorbitant ticket prices for their tour, set to take off in England and Ireland. You may also have heard about something called dynamic pricing, which, without diving into unnecessary explanations, we can summarize as a business strategy that uses algorithms to adjust prices in real-time based on changes in demand. Of course, the strong demand to see the Gallagher brothers perform live after years of absence has led to a significant increase in ticket prices.
The guilt of spending a disproportionate amount of money on this gig has affected many people. On one hand, it’s reasonable to conclude that £356 for a gig is madness. On the other, the opportunity to see one of the best bands ever, possibly for the last time, is priceless.
"£150 is extortionate but unfortunately millions of people (including myself) are prepared to pay an extortionate price to see Oasis live." Radd Reynolds, X.
"What is crazy is people paying 150£ to see artists like Billie Eilish. This is not just a gig, this could be your last chance to see Oasis on tour." Ben folds 5 deuce, X.
The steep price of tickets was not the only topic of discussion, as a new controversy emerged for Oasis when the band announced that Richard Ashcroft would be supporting them on their UK tour. Being the former frontman of The Verve, Ashcroft's inclusion sparked criticism among fans. Many expressed their disdain, claiming he hadn’t written a decent song in 20 years and argued that even if he performed The Verve's songs, it wouldn't be the same without the original band members. Managers and promoters of Oasis also urged the band to select different supporting acts, but Liam Gallagher insisted on having Ashcroft, on X he said: "Richard’s got more talent in his left nostril than all your so-called new bands put together now stop being an entitled little bumbaseed and show some fucking respect." Noel Gallagher backed him on the decision, and it is no surprise given the ongoing bond between Oasis and Ashcroft (let’s not forget everyone’s favorite fact: Noel dedicated Cast No Shadow to Richard).
Liam Gallagher and Richard Ashcroft in 1997 for the collection "The Verve: Photographs by Chris Floyd". Photo courtesy of Chris Floyd © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
The decision to name Richard Ashcroft as headliner seemed, to some, driven by a desire for '90s nostalgia, perhaps because in the minds of many Ashcroft is still the block walking down London's Hoxton Street as he bumps into passers-by while singing Bitter Sweet Symphony, a single considered one of the best tracks of all times according to Rolling Stone Magazine, and has recently gained popularity once again, joining the countless Tik Tok trends of recent months.
The Verve are often associated with the enormous success of their hit "Bitter Sweet Symphony." Still, in reality, they have a vast repertoire that is largely unknown to the mainstream audience. Their sublime album "Urban Hymns" is frequently regarded as a body of work that could justify an entire career. Known for their strong emotional resonance and unique sound, The Verve has influenced numerous bands and is considered one of the most significant groups of the 90s, alongside Oasis and Blur. Unlike those groups, The Verve maintained a lower profile, avoiding competition and arrogance, allowing them to leave a lasting legacy despite facing internal challenges.
A significant factor in the band's success is the charismatic presence of Richard Ashcroft, who is regarded as a Britpop icon. Thanks to him, listeners have enjoyed memorable songs such as "Sonnet", "Love Is Noise", or "Lucky Man." Even after The Verve disbanded, Ashcroft's career has continued to thrive. Although he is often compared to his past work with the band, he has maintained a substantial following and is widely considered a class act—potentially one of the few capable of assuming the role of opening act for the big night.
Chatting with a friend who is lucky enough to be going to see Oasis in 2025, he confessed to me that after learning who would be opening the concert, he felt much more relieved about the money he spent on the main act. This sentiment isn't unique; since headliners were announced, people on social media have shared their relief about the cost of tickets. Some even expressed remorse about not being able to buy one—not just for the reunion itself, but rather for missing out on the opportunity to witness an evening featuring artists who have changed music history. Alongside Richard Ashcroft, indeed, Cast will also be performing. What is the price of such a concert with such iconic artists in today's world?
“As someone who has spunked close to 500 quid for (three tickets) not each, I see it as a bit more value for money having two huge acts on the bill.” Ian Jones, X.
Liam Gallagher spent a few days addressing fans' demands for new and fresh artists, to which he responded: "They're all shit, I'm afraid." This whole philosophy “Let the new stars shine” is a valid point, one can only imagine what a privilege it is to perform alongside a legendary band like Oasis, but there are countless ways to support and watch new musicians. Spending a fortune for a generation of artists that holds significance in music history is, also, a pretty valid point. On X, Liam concluded: “To all the folk who are crying about us not showing love to the young bands and not letting them support there’s LEVELS to this game and I’m afraid 99 percent of ya are way off FUCKING x”
Many find it perplexing that anyone would complain about having those names perform before Oasis, especially considering the substantial amount of money invested. At such a high price, would it have really been better to watch a new upcoming band that is likely to make countless appearances between now and forever? rather than having the opportunity to witness a potentially unique performance? The answer to this question is by no means straightforward. The headliner’s announcement shifted people's perspectives on the matter, creating two solid factions.
The love of music and the struggle against exploitative market strategies (which have prevented many from grabbing a ticket) are issues that remain unresolved. The reunion promises unparalleled excitement and emotions, but if we do not raise our voices against these market practices, we risk perpetuating a cycle that makes cultural events increasingly less accessible, transforming art into a privilege for a select few. Music, which should bring people together, must not become a tool of exclusion and economic division. Experiencing such an evening is invaluable, but we must question how we can uphold justice and cultural accessibility, values that we cannot afford to sacrifice.
