The discussions have been intense over the past few years, and we anticipated that it was only a matter of time. After 15 years, Oasis has officially announced a reunion tour for 2025.
The band revealed 14 tour dates across the UK and Ireland, including stops at Wembley Stadium in London, Heaton Park in Manchester, Principality Stadium in Cardiff, and Croke Park in Dublin. Liam and Noel Gallagher shared: "The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised."
Oasis' music, blending elements of glam rock, punk, and pop, made a significant impact in the nineties. Although the band's quality and dynamics didn't necessarily improve over time, they grew to become one of the last truly iconic rock bands in history. The Gallagher brothers were famously difficult, with a history of drama, fights, reconciliations, and then more of the same. Despite this turbulent chronicle, Oasis left behind a legacy of great albums (or if you're more critical, at least a couple of them) and an impressive collection of tracks, including singles, album cuts, and b-sides. Their catalog offers much to admire.
Some might say (pun intended) that this series of live dates is a money grab, but considering the Gallaghers are already crazy rich, it's unlikely they're doing this for financial reasons. Liam has expressed genuine interest in reuniting over the recent years, while Noel has been more reluctant, being the one who initially walked away from Oasis. However, the band has always been a phenomenal live act. Knebworth 1996 is historic, and if you manage to get your hands on any bootleg recordings from Oasis' golden era—whether from small clubs or massive venues—you'll discover how they rarely, if ever, disappointed.
Noel may have exaggerated when he claimed Oasis was the greatest band of their era and the second greatest of all time, just behind The Beatles. It's a kind of boldness which is part of what makes a rock star. Oasis was a band larger than life, and their influence remains strong after all these years. The success story of their upcoming tour is practically guaranteed.
Unless the Gallagher brothers decide to tear each other apart before then, Oasis will be back—and they’re definitely not too old to rock 'n' roll.
Photos by Simon Emmett/UNPIXS