The air in Cardiff crackled with anticipation. After 16 long years, the iconic British rock band oasis took the stage, their long-awaited reunion concert unfolding at Principality Stadium on a Friday night in July 2025. This performance marked the first time in over a decade and a half that brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, known for their intoxicating yet volatile chemistry, had performed together.
Tens of thousands of fans, 62,000 to be exact, packed the stadium, vibrating with excitement, singing along to every lyric, and simply reveling in the sight of the Gallaghers side-by-side once more. Liam, the unmistakable frontman, even draped an arm over Noel’s shoulder early in the set. Despite the fever pitch of energy from the crowd, the initial moments of the show carried a surprising tentativeness, a collective holding of breath as everyone waited for the performance to truly ignite.
Anticipation Builds in Cardiff
For over a decade, speculation swirled about an Oasis reunion. Their abrupt split in 2009 left a void in the landscape of British rock music. Fans across the globe yearned for the return of the band that soundtracked a generation with their anthemic hits and swaggering attitude. The announcement of the Cardiff show sent shockwaves of excitement, promising to rekindle the magic that defined the 90s.
A Long-Awaited Return
Principality Stadium in Cardiff provided a grand stage for this momentous occasion. The atmosphere was thick with nostalgia and fervent hope. As Liam and Noel, alongside their bandmates, walked out, the sheer relief and joy from the audience were palpable. Yet, there was a subtle sense of caution, perhaps reflecting the band’s tumultuous history. The crowd was ready to erupt but seemed to need a catalyst, a signal that the legendary Oasis energy was truly back.
Liam Gallagher, ever the charismatic and punchier presence onstage, appeared to sense this slight reserve in the massive audience. He paused between songs, offering a simple directive: “Turn around.” He encouraged fans to find someone, anyone, near them. “Throw your arms around them,” he instructed, urging them to hold on tight. It was a moment of human connection, a collective breath before the storm.
Finding the Spark: The Setlist and Energy
The breakthrough arrived shortly after. The setlist, weaving through the band’s extensive catalog, hit a pivotal point that detonated the pent-up energy of the crowd and the performance itself.
The Turning Point: ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’
From the moment the opening guitar riff of “Cigarettes & Alcohol” sliced through the stadium, everything shifted. The track from their seminal 1994 debut album, “Definitely Maybe,” started with maximum sleaze and attitude. Liam delivered the lyrics, a celebration of life’s simple, rebellious escapes, with newfound brio and intensity.
The reaction was instantaneous and overwhelming. Down on the stadium floor, fans erupted into ecstatic motion, initially forming tight, hopping “rugby scrums” before bursting outwards in a wave of unrestrained energy as the chorus hit. It was the release everyone needed, the moment the nerves dissipated, and the reunion truly found its roar. This classic track served as the perfect spark, reminding everyone present of Oasis’s raw, undeniable power.
The Gallagher Dynamic Onstage
The heart of Oasis has always been the complex relationship between Liam and Noel Gallagher. Liam, the dynamic frontman, commanded attention with his distinctive vocals and swagger. Noel, the principal songwriter and guitarist, provided the musical bedrock, often appearing more reserved or “dour” as noted by some observers.
Their interaction, even subtly, informed the performance. The initial moment of physical closeness, Liam’s arm over Noel’s shoulder, hinted at a mended bridge, however fragile. While the toxic chemistry that fueled their earlier years might have been less volatile, the underlying dynamic was still the engine driving the show. This concert wasn’t just about the songs; it was about watching these two brothers navigate the space between them after years of estrangement.
A Performance of Highs and Lows
For roughly two hours, Oasis delivered a performance that was a complex blend of pure triumph and moments where they seemed to be searching for their footing. It was a frills-free, dogged effort that prioritized the music above all else.
Triumph and Tentativeness
When the band locked in, powered by the anthemic choruses and driving guitars, the concert reached soaring heights. It felt like the “grandest pub singalong fathomable,” a massive, unified voice singing along to songs embedded in collective memory. Tracks like “Cigarettes & Alcohol” showcased their enduring power and ability to electrify a massive crowd.
However, the review noted moments that felt like a “ramble in the dark,” points where the performance seemed to lose momentum or cohesion. This unevenness suggested that while the reunion was happening, it wasn’t a perfectly polished return. It carried the raw edges expected from a band with their history and a long hiatus. It was a performance where “masculinist ecstasy” was the target, sometimes achieved effortlessly, sometimes fumbled for.
The Legacy Endures
Despite any inconsistencies, the concert undeniably proved one thing: Oasis’s music retains its stomping power. Their songs, crafted with hooky melodies and relatable lyrics about everyday life and rebellion, resonate just as strongly today as they did in the 90s. The roar of the crowd singing along was a testament to the band’s status as perhaps the most meaningful and popular British band of that era, certainly among the rowdiest and most fun. The fact that they could still command a stadium of 62,000 fans after 16 years apart speaks volumes about their lasting cultural impact.
This return to the stage felt significant, not just as a musical event, but as a moment addressing the very public wounds of the Gallagher brothers’ relationship. The concert was a performance of their iconic songs, yes, but also a live demonstration that while their musical chemistry was rekindled, the journey of healing their personal rift was perhaps, as the original headline suggested, still underway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff?
Oasis performed their first concert in 16 years at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on July 5, 2025. The show saw brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher reuniting on stage after a long hiatus. The performance featured many of their classic songs, starting tentatively but igniting with the track “Cigarettes & Alcohol.” The concert was described as a mix of triumphant moments and periods where the band seemed less polished.
Where did Oasis perform their reunion show?
The highly anticipated Oasis reunion concert, their first in 16 years, took place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The stadium hosted a crowd of 62,000 fans who came to witness the return of the iconic British band and brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher to the live stage.
Was the Oasis reunion concert considered a complete success?
Based on the review, the concert was a mixed success. While it delivered moments of pure triumph and showcased the enduring power of Oasis’s songs, demonstrating their status as a major British band, it also had periods described as a “ramble in the dark” where the performance seemed to lack cohesion. It was seen as a raw, frills-free effort that ultimately proved the music’s lasting appeal despite occasional fumbling.
Conclusion
The Oasis reunion in Cardiff was more than just a concert; it was a cultural moment. It proved that after 16 years, the anthems still resonated, the fans still roared, and the core dynamic of the Gallagher brothers, though perhaps less volatile, was still capable of powering a massive live show. While not every moment was perfect, the return of Oasis to the stage was a powerful reminder of their impact and left fans hopeful about what might come next, as their songs continue stomping forward and, perhaps, their storied wounds continue to heal.
