Sixteen years melted away in an instant. oasis, the band that soundtracked a generation and became an avatar for British identity, exploded back onto the stage in Cardiff at Principality Stadium for their monumental 2025 reunion tour. Hailed by many present as their finest performance since the mid-1990s peak, the night transcended mere nostalgia. It was a ferocious reclaiming of their legacy, a chaotic, joyous spectacle that felt less like a concert and more like a national event.
The air crackled with anticipation from the moment the lights dimmed. The show kicked off with the fittingly titled “Hello.” Immediately, the stadium transformed. A relentless mosh pit surged through the heart of the crowd, stretching from the front barriers to the back rows and even spilling into the seated areas.
The Return of the Legends
Liam Gallagher was a force of nature. Incandescent and intense, his famous brow furrowed into a triangle, he seemed to roar at the microphone as much as into it. His opening declaration, “Hello, hello, it’s good to be back,” felt less like a greeting and more like a decree, transporting everyone back to the glory days of the 1990s.
The scale of the demand for this tour was staggering. Reports indicate that a staggering 14 million people attempted to buy tickets. This potentially makes it the most profitable British tour in history. Only a fortunate 1 in 200 hopefuls managed to secure a spot in Cardiff that night. The host cities themselves leaned into the fervor. London offered “Gallagher Grooming Gauntlets,” while a Manchester supermarket playfully rebranded as “Aldeh.” In Cardiff, a massive 250-square-foot mural of the brothers made entirely of bucket hats adorned a shopping mall. The streets surrounding the venue were a riot of activity. Pop-up merch stalls lined every corner, and fans, many clad in vintage Oasis gear, queued for hours, chanting “Live Forever” with pints held high.
Liam ignited the tour with his characteristic fire. He publicly lambasted Edinburgh’s local government. Councilors had voiced concerns about the influx of “rowdy” middle-aged men. Documents reportedly warned of potential “medium to high intoxication.” While this might seem a cautious forecast for the “have-it-large” contingent, the crowd in Cardiff was notably diverse. Families, including children and teenagers, attended, guided by parents who had experienced Oasis’s first run decades prior. Even these younger attendees seemed swept up in the palpable energy.
Navigating Expectations and Motives
Nobody was under any illusion about the reunion’s core motivation: significant financial gain. However, the immense profit potential only amplified the pressure on opening night. Fans had paid exorbitant prices, with some face-value tickets reportedly hitting $500, partly due to Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model. This show was where they would assess how much Oasis still mattered to them and, perhaps more introspectively, how much this reunion genuinely mattered to the band.
As “Hello” segued into the beloved B-side “Acquiesce,” the energy intensified further. The sound was colossal, a mammoth wall of noise where feedback and ecstatic screaming became indistinguishable. On stage, bassist Andy Bell was seen grinning towards Noel, eyebrows wiggling as if silently acknowledging the sheer magnitude of the moment.
The band, despite the surrounding chaos, exhibited a surprising calm control. Liam stood largely immobile during a thunderous sequence including “Morning Glory,” “Some Might Say,” and “Cigarettes & Alcohol,” a stark silhouette anchored to the mic stand. Noel, in a denim shirt, seemed a touch detached. He appeared almost as if observing the scene rather than participating. But the absence of overt theatrics or fraternal chemistry was offset by a set delivered with blistering speed and precision. It felt so tight, it bypassed immediate comprehension, propelling the audience deeper into a shared past without pausing to grasp that this incredible event was actually happening.
Oasis and the British Identity
The symbolism of Oasis has been potent and often contentious since their rise. On a train en route to Cardiff, an artist visiting from Berlin mused about the audience. She associated Oasis with something she found hard to articulate. Her partner suggested “Lads.” She whispered, “Nationalism.”
Britain’s relationship with the Gallaghers has always been complex. The 1995 rivalry between Blur and Oasis, framed as a North vs. South proxy war, solidified their cultural position. As witty, working-class sons of Irish immigrants, they perfectly capitalized on class dynamics. When the music press championed Britpop as an “authentocracy,” Oasis became its champions.
Their first two albums, Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), are undisputed classics. Noel Gallagher crafted anthems and ballads, often addressing overwhelming, unexamined feelings. Liam Gallagher bulldozed through them, turning ballads into threats and threats into sonic fatwas. This dynamic created a sensation: rock fervor mixed with “mysterious male tears” and a hint of “illicit hedonism.” Controversies, like lyrics perceived as promoting drug use (“You might as well do the white line”), only solidified fan loyalty, positioning the band and its followers against perceived “out-of-touch elites.”
Musically, Oasis drew heavily from a lineage of pale British rock: the Beatles, Stones, The Who, The Kinks, the Pistols, Stone Roses. Unlike their Madchester predecessors, they largely eschewed funk or rave influences. Their meat-and-potatoes rock’n’roll felt like a quintessential, perhaps “incurious,” expression of English identity.
The Gallaghers were shrewd enough not to be defensive about this. Their celebrated indifference made them even more beloved. They were the “everyman” band, yet delivered virtuoso interviews. Liam famously dismissed contemporary dance music in 1994 as “DANK DANK DANK,” comparing it unfavorably to Sly Stone. While electronic producers explored darker post-rave sounds, Oasis pursued collective euphoria through “carnivals of individualism.” Their massive 1996 Knebworth shows felt less like communal gatherings and more like assertions of total dominance.
Legacy, Controversy, and Reunion
Despite the cult of authenticity surrounding them, the Gallaghers’ worldview, including instances of “offhand homophobia,” drew criticism. Critics like the late Neil Kulkarni saw them as representing the rise of “homophobes and racists,” rejecting queerness, and promoting “the English Rock Defence League’s tiny-minded ideas about ‘proper music.’” It is possible to acknowledge these valid critiques and dislike Noel’s politics while still finding much to cherish in their catalogue three decades later. By the turn of the millennium, their success seemed to have fossilized them; later albums lacked the fire of their peak.
The band’s 2009 split followed a backstage fight in Paris, notoriously involving Liam allegedly throwing a plum before swinging a guitar at Noel. The reunion has been cynically portrayed by some as a “shameful indulgence,” tailored for men afraid of appearing silly. Yet, what could be sillier than a thrown plum? Or the unadulterated joy of pogoing with friends because this is your song, your individual moment?
Mid-set, after “Roll With It,” Noel briefly addressed the crowd. He hurriedly muttered something into the mic, seemingly a joke about Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing. It was then that a different side of him emerged. For the first time, he looked visibly nervous. Liam exited the stage, leaving Noel to perform a solo acoustic set.
Noel’s Moment and Crowd Connection
This section included “Talk Tonight.” While a complete hush didn’t fall over the massive stadium, a distinct wave of warmth and goodwill emanated from the audience. This moment felt particularly significant for the studious Noel, who had been the holdout on the reunion. He ceded the stage to the crowd to finish “Half the World Away” in powerful unison.
“Little by Little,” one of the few tracks performed from their post-1990s output, was a marvel. Backed by 100,000 voices, it transformed into a soaring prog-rock torch song, complete with roaring lead guitar. Liam reappeared with maracas for a sequence of mid-tempo songs like “D’You Know What I Mean?,” “Stand by Me,” and “Cast No Shadow.” On record, these tracks can sometimes feel “plodding.” However, in Cardiff, they were rescued by the crowd’s unwavering commitment. Every recognizable melody became a soul-rousing terrace chant.
Liam couldn’t resist baiting the audience about the ticket cost. He asked if it was “worth the £40,000 you paid for the ticket,” promptly answering himself with a defiant “Yeahhhh.” These moments, while arguably “problems” in a detached review, simply didn’t matter inside the electric atmosphere of the stadium.
Anthems and Endings
“Slide Away” was delivered as a “black-magic powerhouse,” a complex piece full of melodic twists. “Whatever,” never on an album, was recited word-for-word by a young fan in the crowd, a testament to the depth of their catalogue’s impact across generations. Then came “Live Forever.” Still vibrant with possibility, still burnished with yearning melancholy, its simple sentiments filled the heart despite Liam’s occasional struggle for breath.
He announced “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” as the final song (though no one believed it). He sounded amazing, ad-libbing, riffing, revealing the depth of a song he’s inhabited for three decades. The finale became an incendiary waltz, guitar feedback swirling into a furnace of sound, driven by the powerhouse drumming of Joey Waronker.
Noel returned for the encore. He introduced the band, including “uber fucking legend” Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs. Liam remained offstage for Noel’s performance of “The Masterplan.” During “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” yellow bees appeared on the screen. This powerful symbol of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing transformed the song into an impromptu elegy. Noel’s ballads often thrive on being romantically inarticulate. But attaching this one to a real tragedy made it ripe for profound emotional impact. A strange thought arose: wishing Liam had been there to witness that collective moment.
When Liam finally returned for “Wonderwall,” the stadium erupted into a singalong. Everyone sang along, knowing exactly as much or as little as the song meant to them personally. Liam seized this peak moment for a classic gag: “There are many things that I would like to say to you—but I don’t speak Welsh.” This perfectly encapsulated the Oasis ethos: tackle life head-on, add jokes, and never overthink it. If either Gallagher could fluently articulate their emotions, Oasis might lose some of the enchantment that resonates deeply, particularly with those who share that trait.
“Champagne Supernova,” a final piece of “masterful nonsense,” concluded the show with a powerful sigh. After barely acknowledging each other throughout the evening, Liam briefly patted Noel on the back. Though minor, social media immediately amplified it as a “conciliatory fraternal hug,” earning a final roar of joy from the exhausted crowd.
The Aftermath and Legacy
As the crowd spilled out into the Cardiff night, the scene was a microcosm of Britain. Sweaty revelers, units shifting from bar to bar. A teenage girl behind us wept quietly, comforted by a friend. Younger attendees headed for the exit, their parents casting lingering glances back at the now-empty stage. And the “rowdy” middle-aged men? Many stared into the distance, grinning or perhaps stricken, some downing pints of alcopops, others editing phone videos for social media. One was spotted giving another a playful squeeze on the bum. All of this, the reviewer observed, was Oasis. Truly understanding this band – grasping the taboo, the glory, and the folly simultaneously – offers profound insight into Britain itself.
A final note on the crowd: contrary to stereotypes, nearly everyone who visited the urinals during “Half the World Away” washed their hands afterwards. One even rushed back when called out by a friend. Take that, Edinburgh Council. Underestimate Oasis, and their fans’ hygiene, at your peril.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the atmosphere like at the Oasis reunion show?
The atmosphere at the 2025 Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff was described as incredibly intense and even riotous. There was a continuous mosh pit throughout the stadium. Despite the chaos and some fans needing medical attention, the band maintained calm control. The diverse crowd included families, teenagers, and the expected middle-aged fans. The energy was palpable, turning even slower songs into “soul-rousing terrace chants.” The overall feeling was one of immense anticipation and a return to the band’s mid-90s peak energy.
What were some of the key songs played at the Oasis 2025 Cardiff concert?
The setlist for the Oasis reunion show featured many of their classic hits. Key songs performed included the opener “Hello,” fan-favorite B-side “Acquiesce,” a powerful suite of “Morning Glory,” “Some Might Say,” and “Cigarettes & Alcohol,” and Noel Gallagher’s acoustic moment with “Talk Tonight” and “Half the World Away.” Later in the set, “Little by Little” stood out, along with anthems like “Slide Away,” “Live Forever,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star.” The encore featured “The Masterplan,” the poignant “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (with the Manchester bee symbol), “Wonderwall,” and the closing epic “Champagne Supernova.”
Was the Oasis reunion concert worth the high ticket prices?
The article highlights that some fans paid substantial amounts, reportedly up to $500 face value due to dynamic pricing. It notes that the reunion was partly financially driven. However, the reviewer questions the notion of it being a mere “shameful indulgence.” While potential issues like the ticket price or repetitive song structures existed, the intense, electric atmosphere and the sheer gravity of the occasion within the stadium seemed to override these concerns for those present. Ultimately, whether it was “worth it” appeared to be a subjective assessment made by individual fans during the show itself, fueling the pressure on the band and the emotional intensity for the audience.
