Britpop Rockers Oasis Reunite for First 16-Year Concert

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Oasis Electrifies Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in First Gig Since 2009 Britpop Split

Did the Gallagher brothers finally bury the hatchet? Oasis stunned 60,000 fans at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday night, reigniting the Britpop era with their first performance in 16 years. The historic reunion of Liam and Noel Gallagher—whose feud once seemed insurmountable—kicked off a global tour that many thought would never happen, delivering a thunderous setlist of anthems like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger” to a generation-spanning crowd.

Brotherly Love or Calculated Truce? The Onstage Dynamic

The brothers Gallagher took the stage to a deafening roar, opening with the meta-referential “Hello”—its “it’s good to be back” chorus echoing through the Millennium Stadium. While the famously combative duo shared a brief hand-holding moment, they largely kept their distance. Noel, 58, anchored the band’s sonic backbone on guitar, while Liam, 52, swaggered in a parka, his signature snarl intact during renditions of “Cigarettes and Alcohol” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star.”

“Put your arms over each other like you love each other,” Liam quipped before launching into “Supersonic,” a line that felt both ironic and hopeful given the brothers’ history.

The setlist leaned heavily on their seminal albums “Definitely Maybe” (1994) and “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” (1995), though deeper cuts like “Half the World Away” (led by Noel) and a poignant tribute to late Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota during “Live Forever” showcased their emotional range.

Fan Frenzy: From Ticket Chaos to Catharsis

The Cardiff show capped a 10-month ticket scramble that saw 900,000 seats sell out globally within minutes, sparking parliamentary scrutiny over Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing. Fans paid up to £2,000 ($2,600) resale for the chance to witness the reunion.

Attendees like Rob Maule, 44, from Edinburgh, framed the night as a cultural reset:

“It’s a chapter of our lives. Bringing our kids—it’s really special.”

Others, like Vicki Moynehan (seven months pregnant), traveled from Dorset, proving the band’s cross-generational pull. The crowd’s deafening sing-alongs during “Champagne Supernova” and “Wonderwall” underscored Oasis’ enduring grip on British identity.

The Road Ahead: Global Tour and Unanswered Questions

The Live ‘25 Tour now heads to 22 cities across the U.K., North America, Asia, and South America, wrapping in São Paulo on November 23. While the setlist is a victory lap through their discography, no new music has been announced. Critics argue this tour is less about innovation and more about “legacy maintenance”—a sentiment echoed by music journalist John Aizlewood:

“This is Oasis tending their legend. The goal isn’t to reinvent but remind the world why they mattered.”

Yet with Liam teasing “more surprises” in interviews and Noel hinting at “unfinished business,” the door remains ajar for future collaborations.

Key Takeaways

  • Oasis reunited after 16 years at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, delivering a 23-song set dominated by Britpop classics from their 1990s peak.
  • The Gallagher brothers maintained a détente onstage, focusing on music over banter, though their chemistry hinted at deeper reconciliation.
  • Ticket sales sparked controversy, with prices soaring to £2,000+ and prompting U.K. government scrutiny of Ticketmaster’s practices.
  • The global tour spans four continents, leveraging nostalgia but leaving room for speculation about new material.
  • Fans’ emotional response—60,000 strong in Cardiff—proves Oasis’ anthems remain a cultural touchstone decades later.

As the band jets to Belfast next, one thing is clear: Oasis’ return isn’t just a concert—it’s a reckoning with the soundtrack of a generation.

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