“The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.” — Oasis on X, Aug. 27, 2024
With these words, the world would never be the same. One of the seminal rock bands of the ’90s and ‘00s, which was a leader of the Britpop movement and one of the best-selling bands in the world, was returning for a world tour 15 years after its split. Tickets sold out within 10 hours. Thousands queued despite numerous website crashes and soaring prices. Many wondered if the famous feuding Gallagher brothers would be able to hold their egos aside long enough to complete the first show, let alone survive the whole tour. Yet, despite the immense pressures of the press and fans alike, Noel and Liam emerged on stage with heads held high, hand in hand. This is not just a concert, this is history in the making. But to put this experience into perspective, here are a few key details worth mentioning in regard to this iconic band.
You’ve Definitely, Maybe heard these songs
Even if you're not into rock, chances are that you’ve heard the band’s music on the radio, in TV shows and in movies.
Who can forget the opening lyrics to “Wonderwall” or the epic guitar riff at the end of “Champagne Supernova”? Meanwhile, “Don’t Look Back in Anger” might ring a bell to those who have seen To All the Boys: Always and Forever. With 75 million records sold worldwide, as well as a laundry list of accolades both in the U.K., U.S. and around the world, it’s safe to say that pretty much everybody has heard the band’s music at one time or another.
Sibling rivalry at its finest
If there is anything this band is known for besides its chart-topping albums like (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, Definitely Maybe and Be Here Now, it is the constant public bickering between frontman Liam Gallagher and lead guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher.
From the earliest days of the band, these two brothers have found themselves at odds over everything, whether about the songs or each other’s rock-and-roll lifestyles. To the delight of tabloids, these fights have been anything but discreet. Below are a few classic quotes:
- “He’s the angriest man you’ll ever meet. He’s like a man with a fork in a world of soup.” — Noel Gallagher, June 2009 “Oasis: The End is Nigh?” Q Magazine, issue 275
- “He’s a prick, he’s turned into the middle class. He’s turned into the establishment. He’s one of them.” — Liam Gallagher for Rolling Stone, 2017
- “I liked [my mum] until she gave birth to Liam” — Noel Gallagher for The Guardian, 2019
- “Psychedelic music by a beige drip is like a vegetarian trying to sell you a kebab” — Liam Gallagher on X in 2017
Nevertheless, it seems the brothers have been able to put their differences aside. Now, lucky fans of all ages have been able to come together and see this band back on the stage reunited and raring to go. But after so many years apart, can they still perform as the superpower they once were?
Bring it on down, MetLife/Rose Bowl!
This question lingered in my mind as Cast and Cage the Elephant played their sets as support acts. Countless rock and roll bands had toured in their autumn years, including The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses. All trying to reclaim their youth — all falling short. They didn’t have the energy, agility or attitude they once did.
The members of Oasis — Liam and Noel, Andy Bell on bass, Gem Archer and Bonehead on guitars and Joey Waronker on drums — are all in their 50s and early 60s. Not only that, the brothers had hardly even spoken since the breakup in 2009, let alone performed together. How would they do plunging headfirst into booked stadium gigs with the eyes of the world watching?
My question was answered as the words “This Is Not A Drill!” flashed across the stage screens. The crowd erupted into cheers as headlines flashed detailing the band’s history, great rise, fall and redemption. The brothers walked onto the stage with hands held above them, reunited at last.
Without hesitation, the band revved up and played the first song of the evening, “Hello.” A very fitting beginning, as the crowd chanted “Hello, hello. It’s good to be back, it’s good to be back.” Half-finished beers rained down from above onto a sea of bucket hats and Adidas sport jackets. From there, the show never lost its momentum as the band launched into a setlist that leaned heavily on the anthems of the early albums with occasional later work seamlessly mixed in.
“Acquiesce” gave way to “Morning Glory,” “Some Might Say” and “Bring It On Down” before Liam paused to explain to the largely American crowd the basics of the poznan — a common sight at European football games where members of the audience turn their backs to the field, link arms and jump up and down — and the importance of it to be performed for the song “Cigarettes and Alcohol.” Safe to say, many in the crowd seemed a bit confused at the idea of doing it during a concert. But, to the delight of the Brits, we were successful!
Liam has that frontman quality — when he speaks, the audience is captive. Despite moving very little from his trademark hands-behind-the-back posture, he is able to summon the attention of thousands for his amusing adlibs as well as heartfelt tributes (as was the case in the Meadowlands, where he dedicated “Live Forever” to the kids who had died in the Minneapolis shooting a few days earlier).
Now, it wasn’t purely hard rocking for the entire night. For a period in the middle of the show, the microphone passed to Noel. His voice, a smooth, rich timbre in contrast to the loud, snarling attitude of his brother, set the tone as he started with “Talk Tonight,” famously written during a low point in the band’s early days when Noel almost called it quits and sought the advice of a girlfriend who persuaded him not to.
Though not as commercially famous as “Wonderwall,” the entire stadium sang along while waving their cell phone flashlights, which continued as Noel performed “Half The World Away” and “Little By Little.” Liam was nowhere to be seen, having retreated backstage to prepare for the rest of the set prior to the encore. He returned with the message: “This one is for the warriors! Not the worriers... the warriors!” before launching into “D’You Know What I Mean?”
These fighting words (along with a few about being a little princess who has to go to bed) take us via “Stand By Me,” “Cast No Shadow,” “Slideaway” and "Whatever” all the way to the encore, a fantastic performance of the band’s most famous songs. The crowd roars the lyrics of “Wonderwall” to the band, to which Liam simply replies, “Beautiful.” Then, as he balances his tambourine on his head, the fireworks go off for the final song, “Champagne Supernova.” As they light up the night sky, the band waves its goodbyes, and the show is over.
Some might say
As someone who was able to see this incredible performance twice, I can confidently say that Oasis has been able to prove the naysayers wrong! Across both sets, the band sounded as good (and perhaps better) than it did on its albums. It was unapologetically itself: working-class lads from Manchester with some songs, a tambourine and a dream.
Liam’s delivery of the lyrics were loud and still dripping with attitude despite his age and, as one might assume, improved maturity. Noel’s mastery of the guitar continues to wow, and his songs stand the test of time. Based on the reactions of those around me in the pit, many most likely agree with me.
But one thing that stands out about this performance is the true undeniable chemistry between the brothers. True, both did go on to have solo careers and never stepped away from the stage completely. But, this tour shows why it was that they couldn’t recreate anything like Oasis alone.
Noel may have a wonderful singing voice himself, and the ability to write songs that resonate across generations, but he needs the star power and larger-than-life presence of his younger brother to fill stadiums. At the same time, while Liam‘s voice and frontman persona remain a force to be reckoned with, his solo work has never quite matched the words and riffs of his brother.
It surely is a funny coincidence that such talented and hotheaded creative forces could happen to be brothers. And how lucky it is for the rest of us that they have finally returned. As they say, “Don’t Look Back In Anger.” So, if you ever have the chance to see Oasis, whether on its current tour or some time in the future, it’s safe to say it’s worth it.
