oasis, the legendary Britpop pioneers, ignited their highly anticipated ‘Live 25’ reunion tour with two sold-out concerts at cardiff‘s Principality Stadium on July 4 and 5, 2025. Marking their first performances together in 16 years, the gigs were electric returns met with overwhelming fan and critical acclaim. While the music delivered a barrage of era-defining hits, one moment from the second night captured global attention and symbolized the complex dynamic between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher: a public, reciprocal bow on stage.
The sheer scale of the comeback felt momentous. Over 70,000 fans packed the stadium each night, many having waited patiently since the band’s 2009 split. These Cardiff dates weren’t just concerts; they were a cultural event, described by attendees and reviewers as “biblical” and a “rock spectacle of the century.”
The Iconic Bow: A Symbolic Moment
The second night, July 5th, began with a deeply symbolic gesture. As the house lights dimmed, Liam and Noel Gallagher walked onto the stage hand-in-hand. This mirrored their entrance on the opening night, a display of apparent unity after years of public feuding. But the July 5th entrance added another layer. Just before taking their familiar positions on opposite sides of the sprawling stage, the brothers paused. In a moment captured and shared widely online, they turned towards each other and bowed.
Liam made a significant bow towards Noel, and Noel responded with a bow in return. This brief, silent exchange spoke volumes, suggesting a level of mutual respect or perhaps even reconciliation that many fans had only dreamed of. It was a powerful visual against the backdrop of their famously turbulent relationship. Despite reports elsewhere indicating they were staying in separate hotels – an “extreme” measure apparently taken to avoid clashes offstage – their onstage interaction projected a united front, even embracing at the close of the second show.
Following this notable entrance, the band immediately launched into the set opener, the classic anthem ‘Hello’.
Cardiff’s Supersonic Launchpad
Cardiff’s Principality Stadium proved a fitting location to kick off the extensive ‘Live 25’ trek. The sold-out crowds generated an intense atmosphere, buzzing with nostalgia and excitement. NME awarded the opening night a five-star review, hailing it as “Oasis redesigned for the 21st Century” and celebrating them as the “quintessential stadium band” delivering “greatest hits of greatest hits.”
The atmosphere was palpable both inside the venue and throughout the city. Fans, many clad in the unofficial Oasis uniform of vintage band tees and Adidas trainers, created a vibrant street party scene, listening to buskers playing Oasis tunes and celebrating the band’s return.
The Setlist: A Hits Marathon
The setlist for the Cardiff gigs was a deliberate journey through Oasis’s storied catalogue. While the core list remained largely consistent across both nights, it was packed wall-to-wall with fan favourites and anthems that defined a generation.
The extensive setlist included:
‘Hello’
‘Acquiesce’
‘Morning Glory’
‘Some Might Say’
‘Bring It On Down’
‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’
‘Fade Away’
‘Supersonic’
‘Roll With It’
‘Talk Tonight’
‘Half The World Away’
‘Little By Little’
‘D’You Know What I Mean?’
‘Stand By Me’
‘Cast No Shadow’
‘Slide Away’
‘Whatever’
‘Live Forever’
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’
The encore delivered the trio of songs that closed out their first gig in 16 years and held immense significance:
‘The Masterplan’
‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’
‘Wonderwall’
- ‘Champagne Supernova’
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Fans noted subtle variations, such as Liam weaving lines from The Beatles’ ‘Octopus’s Garden’ into ‘Whatever’ on the second night. Visuals during ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ featured bees, a symbol adopted by Manchester, linking the song to the city’s resilience. Noel also notably dedicated ‘Wonderwall’ to the “Royale Family,” a reference to the TV show and a nod to his past anti-monarchy stance.
Beyond the Music: Noteworthy Moments and Details
The Cardiff concerts included several moments that resonated with attendees. On the opening night, Liam and Noel made light of Ticketmaster’s dynamic ticket pricing system, a controversial topic they had previously denied knowledge of. During ‘Live Forever’ on the first night, a tribute was paid to the late Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, who had recently passed away. Liam also featured a picture of his rescue dog, Buttons, on the big screen during the shows.
Adding to the narrative of the reunion, Noel Gallagher publicly thanked guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs during the second night, stating explicitly, “if it wasn’t for him, none of this would have happened.” This highlighted Bonehead’s crucial role in facilitating the Gallagher brothers’ return to the stage together, alongside long-time members Gem Archer and Andy Bell, and drummer Joey Waronker.
The gigs also attracted a constellation of celebrities, with reports of attendees including Sienna Miller, Matt Smith, Vernon Kay, Holly Willoughby, Danny Dyer, Charlotte Tilbury, Cara Delevingne, Anya Taylor-Joy, James Buckley, Joe Thomas, and Louis Tomlinson. Vernon Kay was reportedly moved to tears during the show. Noel’s daughter Anaïs and Liam’s son Gene were also reported to have met up at the second gig, adding a family layer to the event.
However, not everything was seamless. Some fans expressed frustration over high prices for drinks inside the stadium and even in nearby pubs. There was also online debate about concert etiquette, specifically concerning fans sitting down during the performance, although others defended this due to age or physical condition. Tragically, a medical emergency occurred in the standing area on the second night, requiring prompt medical attention. The demand also pushed resale ticket prices for future dates to astronomical levels, with some tickets listed for thousands of pounds.
Adding to the fan experience, a special memorabilia exhibition was held in Cardiff, showcasing iconic items like Noel’s famous Union Jack guitar.
The Road Ahead: A Global Phenomenon
The Cardiff shows were merely the beginning. The ‘Live 25’ tour is an extensive undertaking. Following the Welsh dates, Oasis is scheduled for multiple homecoming shows at Manchester’s Heaton Park, several nights at London’s Wembley Stadium, and stops in Edinburgh and Dublin throughout the summer. The tour then extends internationally, with legs planned for North America, South America, Australia, South Korea, and Japan.
The anticipation surrounding these shows, coupled with the powerful impact of the Cardiff return, solidifies Oasis’s place as one of rock music’s most enduring and culturally significant bands. The image of Liam and Noel bowing to each other may become an iconic visual representation of this unexpected, yet hugely welcome, comeback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Liam and Noel Gallagher bow on stage?
On the second night of the Oasis reunion tour in Cardiff (July 5, 2025), Liam and Noel Gallagher bowed to each other after walking onto the stage hand-in-hand. This was seen as a significant and symbolic gesture following their 16-year public feud. It suggested a moment of reconciliation or mutual respect, a powerful display contrasting with reports of them staying in separate hotels offstage.
What was the setlist like for Oasis’s Cardiff reunion gigs?
The setlist for the Oasis ‘Live 25’ kickoff gigs in Cardiff featured a comprehensive list of the band’s greatest hits and fan favourites, totalling 23 songs. It included classics like ‘Supersonic’, ‘Morning Glory’, ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’, and ‘Live Forever’. The encore consistently delivered the massive hits ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, ‘Wonderwall’, and ‘Champagne Supernova’. Subtle variations, like Liam singing lines from ‘Octopus’s Garden’, also occurred.
Besides the bow, what else happened at the Oasis Cardiff concerts?
Beyond the iconic bowing moment, the Oasis Cardiff reunion shows included several notable events. Tributes were paid, including one to late footballer Diogo Jota during ‘Live Forever’, and visuals featuring bees referencing Manchester. Noel Gallagher publicly credited guitarist Bonehead for the reunion. Celebrity attendees were present in large numbers. There were also logistical aspects like high drink prices and discussion among fans about concert etiquette, alongside a medical incident.
The Cardiff shows undeniably set a high bar, reigniting the passion of a fanbase that spanned generations. As the ‘Live 25’ tour continues globally, the moment the Gallagher brothers bowed to each other on stage will likely remain etched in the history of this monumental comeback.
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