After 16 long years, the band synonymous with Britpop swagger and sibling rivalry took the stage again. Oasis kicked off their highly anticipated reunion tour in cardiff, and early reports suggest it was nothing short of electrifying. For legions of fans spanning generations and continents, the wait felt eternal. The sold-out show at Principality Stadium was more than just a concert; it was a cultural event, a return to a time when rock and roll felt raw, anthemic, and utterly vital. Could the Gallagher brothers recapture the magic that defined a generation?
The Atmosphere: A Global Pilgrimage to Cardiff
Cardiff transformed into a sea of bucket hats and vintage track tops. Fans arrived from across the globe, including Peru, Japan, Argentina, Spain, and South Korea, all drawn by the magnetic pull of Oasis’s return. One Italian couple even sported wedding rings inscribed with “live forever.” A British woman, expecting her first child, proudly displayed Noel’s nickname for Liam, “our kid,” on her baby bump. Outside the venue, the communal fervor began early, with a busker playing Oasis classics drawing a massive, singing crowd. Inside, the energy was palpable, a testament to the band’s enduring global appeal. The air buzzed with anticipation, beer, and shared memories.
Back on Stage: Sounding Refreshed
Stepping out hand in hand, Liam and Noel Gallagher, joined by original guitarist Bonehead, Andy Bell, Gem Archer, and drummer Joey Waronker, launched into “Hello.” The choice felt deliberate, a direct message after such a prolonged absence. Following with “Acquiesce,” a rare track featuring vocals from both brothers, added another layer of significance. The lyric “we need each other” resonated deeply, hinting at a potential burying of the hatchet after their bitter, public feud.
The setlist was a deliberate dive into their 1990s heyday. Classics like “Cigarettes and Alcohol,” “Live Forever,” “Slide Away,” “Some Might Say,” “Supersonic,” “Whatever,” “Half The World Away,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” dominated the night. Only one track, 2002’s “Little By Little,” ventured beyond the decade. The band sounded tight, refreshed, and rejuvenated, blowing away any doubts that 16 years off might dull their edge.
Liam’s Ferocity and Enduring Relevance
Frontman Liam Gallagher attacked the stage with the wild-eyed passion he’s known for. He stalked the boards, biting into lyrics like a predator. Crucially, his voice sounded fresh and powerful, seemingly overcoming past vocal issues attributed to Hashimoto’s disease. He bantered with the crowd, joking about the controversial high ticket prices (“Is it worth the £4,000 you paid for a ticket?”). He even playfully altered a line in “Wonderwall” to say, “There are many things that I would like to say to you… but I don’t speak Welsh.”
The performance highlighted how well their foundational songs have held up. “Live Forever,” written with youthful defiance, still crackled with energy. “Cigarettes and Alcohol,” Noel’s 1991 commentary on working-class disillusionment, felt eerily relevant in 2025. Liam’s snarled delivery of the line, “Is it worth the aggravation to find yourself a job when there’s nothing worth working for?” elicited roars of recognition from fans young and old. The enduring power of these anthems connected different generations who grew up on their music.
The Songs That Defined a Generation
The Cardiff setlist leaned heavily on tracks from Oasis’s most iconic album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. Released in 1995, this masterpiece spawned some of their biggest hits. Data shows the band’s enduring popularity in the UK, with many Cardiff anthems ranking among their top sellers and streamers.
“Wonderwall,” despite never hitting number one in the UK, remains their most streamed track globally, boasting over 2.4 billion Spotify plays and 8x Platinum certification. The crowd’s passionate singalong was deafening. “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” a Noel-sung fan favourite, also featured prominently. This track, an enduring symbol of resilience, holds a massive 6x Platinum certification and over a billion global streams. Its performance in Cardiff included poignant visuals of the Manchester worker bee, acknowledging its significance after the 2017 Arena attack.
Other massive hits played included “Live Forever,” a 3x Platinum track that recently re-entered the charts 30 years after release, and “Champagne Supernova,” the epic closer, which is 3x Platinum despite never being a UK single. Even B-sides like “Half the World Away,” famously used as a sitcom theme tune, have gone 2x Platinum. Hearing these songs, backed by these impressive statistics, live again was a powerful experience.
A Tumultuous History, A Cautious Present
The Gallagher brothers’ relationship has always been as much a part of the Oasis story as their music. Their decades-long feud, marked by public insults (“massive potato,” “village idiot”) and physical altercations (like the infamous plum-throwing incident before the 2009 Paris split), became legendary. Their former partners often found themselves caught in the crossfire, adding layers to the drama. While relations thawed last year, leading to the reunion announcement and the sensational demand for tickets (over 10 million applicants for UK dates alone, amidst dynamic pricing controversies), their onstage interaction remained minimal.
They came out holding hands and shared a brief hug at the end after Liam introduced “Champagne Supernova” with characteristic self-deprecation (“Nice one for putting up with us over the years. We are hard work, I get it”). Yet, they rarely addressed each other directly during the two-and-a-quarter-hour show. Noel even took over vocals for a few songs after Liam briefly walked off stage following “Roll With It,” reportedly making a quip about ticket prices.
This lack of brotherly chatter wasn’t surprising to long-time fans. Oasis gigs were never known for dynamic stage choreography or cheesy banter. Noel, often described as looking studious, contrasts with Liam’s volatile energy. As one magazine editor put it years ago, Noel was “chained to the Tasmanian devil.” But the tension, the underlying drama, was always part of the appeal. Simply hearing their voices, particularly on tracks like “Acquiesce,” harmonise again after years of animosity, felt hugely emotional for many in the crowd.
The concert also featured a touching tribute to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota during “Live Forever,” showing his LFC shirt on screen. The band line-up included familiar faces, adding to the sense of a significant return. Bonehead’s presence, back on stage with the brothers after 25 years away from the main band, was particularly noted by fans and critics.
The Enduring Legacy and Future Hopes
For many, Oasis represents the soundtrack to formative years. Rhys Llwyd, a Welsh minister and former music columnist, recalls Morning Glory being the backdrop to his 1990s youth, learning guitar by pausing Noel’s VHS tapes, and seeing the band connected to the political optimism of 1997. While later live experiences could be fraught, attending the Cardiff reunion with his son, the same age Llwyd was when he discovered the band, underscored the powerful generational connection Oasis music fosters.
The question on everyone’s lips after Cardiff is whether this renewed passion is here to stay. The band’s volatility was always a feature, not a bug. It fuelled their mythos but also led to their demise. This performance, however, seemed to channel that energy back into the music itself. Compared to their final shows in 2009, there was a clear hunger and intensity present in Cardiff that had been missing.
Mark Savage, reviewing the show, echoed the sentiment of many attendees. He stated it was the best he’d seen the band since 1995, recalling their impactful performance supporting REM at Slane Castle just before Morning Glory‘s release, where Oasis overshadowed the headliners. While the raw sense of potential chaos might be tempered in 2025, the musical power and passionate connection with the audience were undeniable. The overwhelming positive reception, described by fans as “biblical” and “majestical,” suggests Oasis has indeed reclaimed their status as rock ‘n’ roll stars. Based on the evidence from Cardiff, the Gallaghers appear, finally and perhaps surprisingly, “mad fer it” once more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the setlist like at the Oasis reunion in Cardiff?
The setlist for the Oasis reunion kickoff in Cardiff heavily featured classic songs from the 1990s, particularly their album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. Key songs performed included “Hello,” “Acquiesce,” “Cigarettes and Alcohol,” “Live Forever,” “Slide Away,” “Wonderwall,” “Don’t Look Back In Anger,” and “Champagne Supernova.” Only one song from outside the 90s, “Little By Little” (2002), was played.
Who played with Liam and Noel Gallagher at the Cardiff reunion show?
Liam and Noel Gallagher were joined on stage by several musicians for the Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff. The lineup included original band member Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs on guitar, bassist Andy Bell, guitarist Gem Archer, and drummer Joey Waronker. This expanded lineup helped bring the classic Oasis sound back to the live stage.
Was the Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff considered a success?
Based on reviews and fan reactions, the Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff was widely considered a resounding success. Critics noted the band sounded refreshed and powerful, particularly Liam Gallagher. The show was praised for its high energy, the strong performance of classic hits, and the overwhelming, emotional response from the 70,000-strong global audience. Many felt the concert recaptured the band’s peak form.
