oasis Reunites: An Epic Night Kicks Off World Tour in Cardiff
After 16 long years, the band fans thought would never share a stage again has returned. Oasis, the iconic Manchester group synonymous with Britpop swagger and anthemic singalongs, officially launched their highly anticipated reunion tour on Friday, July 4, 2025. The momentous kickoff took place at the packed Principality stadium in Cardiff, Wales, marking the first live performance by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher together since their acrimonious split in 2009. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a cultural event attracting tens of thousands of devoted fans from around the globe, all converging on the Welsh capital for a chance to witness rock history unfold.
Anticipation for the Cardiff shows had reached fever pitch across the city and internationally. Fans, many of whom grew up with the band’s music, flocked to Cardiff in outfits nodding to ’90s style – bucket hats and Adidas tracksuits were common sights. The streets buzzed with energy as tens of thousands sang Oasis hits spontaneously, creating a palpable sense of community and shared history. Local businesses felt the surge, preparing for increased foot traffic and highlighting the significant economic boost the event brought to Cardiff.
The Scene: Fans Arrive in Droves
The 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium was the chosen venue for this historic return. Fans showcased incredible dedication, traveling vast distances from places like Colombia, the United States, Chile, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, Italy, and Mexico. For many, seeing Oasis back together was deeply emotional, described as a “dream come true” and a “chapter of our lives.” It was a generational moment, with long-time fans even bringing children too young to have seen the band perform during their original run.
Adding to the pre-show excitement, early campers queuing outside the stadium were unexpectedly moved to a VIP section, a gesture reportedly arranged by the band’s management. This surprise upgrade contributed to an already fantastic atmosphere. Supporting the legends were Britpop-era contemporaries Richard Ashcroft, who called the night “historic,” and the Liverpool band Cast, setting a nostalgic tone for the evening ahead.
The Moment: Brothers on Stage
Around 8:15 p.m. local time, the air inside the stadium crackled. The show began with a dramatic montage featuring headlines recounting the famously tumultuous relationship between Liam and Noel Gallagher. The visual story culminated with the powerful declaration: “the guns have fallen silent.” Then, to a deafening roar from the 75,000-strong crowd, Liam and Noel Gallagher walked onstage. Joined by a lineup including past members Andy Bell, Gem Archer, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, and new drummer Joey Waronker, Oasis was back.
They wasted no time kicking off the long-awaited set, opening with “Hello,” appropriately featuring the line “it’s good to be back.” While the brothers performed, reports noted they maintained a noticeable distance onstage. Noel focused on his signature guitar work and backing vocals, while Liam commanded the microphone, often clad in his iconic parka. Decades of brotherly war seemed momentarily set aside for the sake of the music and the thousands who had waited for this moment.
The Performance: A Hit-Filled Setlist
The two-hour performance delivered a setlist designed to satisfy long-time fans, spanning their celebrated catalogue. Early in the show, tracks like “Roll With It” – met with massive crowd participation – “Cigarettes & Alcohol,” “Fade Away,” and the fittingly titled “Supersonic” ignited the stadium. Later hits including “D’You Know What I Mean?” and “Stand by Me” demonstrated the band’s enduring appeal across their career, with “Stand by Me” noted for its unifying vocal blend between Liam and Noel.
A mid-set change of pace saw Noel Gallagher take the spotlight for a solo acoustic section. This segment featured fan favorites like “Talk Tonight,” “Half the World Away” (performed with a brass band), and “Little by Little,” dipping into albums beyond their seminal first two releases. The crowd’s energy remained high throughout. A particularly poignant moment occurred during the outro of “Live Forever,” when a tribute to tragically deceased Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota was displayed on screen.
The encore brought the concert to a euphoric close. Starting with “The Masterplan,” it built to massive singalongs for arguably their most famous tracks. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” saw the entire stadium join in a full-throated chorus, a moment reportedly leaving Noel visibly moved. This was followed by “Wonderwall” and the final track of the night, “Champagne Supernova.” Before exiting, Liam addressed the ecstatic audience, offering a humble, “Nice one for putting up with us over the years.” Reports even mentioned a brief Gallagher brother embrace after the final bow, perhaps symbolizing a positive shift. Liam also cheekily referenced the ticket controversy, asking the crowd if the show was “worth the £40,000,” a nod to the eye-watering resale prices.
The Ticket Storm: Controversy Erupts
While the concert itself was a triumph, the path to getting tickets for the ‘Oasis Live ‘25’ tour was fraught with difficulty. Demand was astronomical, with one report citing over 14 million people attempting to secure just 1.5 million UK tickets. Ticket sites reportedly crashed under the load. Further infuriating fans, dynamic pricing was applied to some initial sales, causing standard standing tickets to skyrocket from an expected £148 to as much as £355. This led to public outrage and prompted discussions in the UK Parliament, with the Arts Minister criticizing the practice and the competition regulator reportedly contacting Ticketmaster for “misleading” methods. Fortunately, later tour dates reportedly did not face these dynamic pricing issues.
Despite the frustration around ticketing, the sheer willingness of fans to navigate these obstacles underscores the depth of their connection to Oasis. Traveling thousands of miles, paying inflated prices, and even camping outside the venue highlights a dedication rarely seen in modern music.
A Legacy Burnished
With no new music announced, the ‘Oasis Live ‘25’ tour is currently presented as a one-off event. Music journalists suggest the tour serves to “tend the legacy” and “burnish their legacy,” reminding the world of the power and enduring appeal of the Oasis brand. The shows are expected to be filled with “huge joy and life affirmation,” capitalizing on the “enduring love for Oasis.” The tour is extensive, with 41 dates planned globally. After two nights in Cardiff, the band is set to play major venues across the UK and Ireland throughout the summer, including Manchester, London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, before heading to North America, South America, Asia, and Australia, concluding in Sao Paulo in November. Beyond the tour, a movie about the band by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is reportedly in the works, further cementing their cultural footprint.
The Cardiff kickoff was more than just the first show of a tour; it was a cathartic release for a generation of fans and a powerful statement that despite the infamous feuds, the music of Oasis still resonates deeply. The iconic sound and the combined presence of the Gallagher brothers proved that sometimes, the impossible really can happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of the Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff?
The Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff on July 4, 2025, was highly significant as it marked the band’s first live performance together in 16 years, following their split in 2009. It kicked off their highly anticipated ‘Live ’25’ world tour and was a major cultural event, drawing tens of thousands of fans from around the globe to witness the Gallagher brothers share a stage again at the Principality Stadium.
Where is the Oasis ‘Live ’25’ reunion tour headed after Cardiff?
After two nights in Cardiff, the Oasis ‘Live ’25’ tour is scheduled for extensive dates across the UK and Ireland throughout July, August, and September 2025, including major venues in Manchester, London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. The tour will then go global, with planned stops in North America, South America, Asia, and Australia, concluding in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 23, 2025.
Why was there controversy surrounding Oasis reunion tour ticket sales?
The ticket sales for the Oasis reunion tour were highly controversial due to astronomical demand crashing ticket websites and the implementation of dynamic pricing for some initial sales. This resulted in significant price hikes, with some standard tickets reportedly jumping from around £148 to £355, causing widespread fan frustration and prompting investigations by the UK government and competition watchdog into ticketing practices.
Conclusion
The Oasis reunion tour launch in Cardiff was a powerful, emotionally charged event that proved the band’s enduring appeal remains undimmed after a 16-year hiatus. Despite the turbulent history and ticketing frustrations, fans turned out in massive numbers, experiencing a hit-filled setlist and a memorable return for one of Britain’s most iconic rock acts. As the ‘Live ’25’ tour continues globally, the Cardiff kickoff has firmly re-established Oasis as a force in live music, reminding everyone why their songs resonated with a generation and continue to capture new fans today. The Gallagher brothers, against the odds, are back on the road, and the music world is watching.
