Oasis Reunites After 16 Years, Igniting Cardiff Crowd with Britpop Anthems

CARDIFF, Wales — Oasis made a thunderous return to the stage on Friday night, launching their long-awaited reunion tour with a sold-out show in Cardiff. Sixteen years after their infamous split, the Gallagher brothers delivered a blistering two-hour set filled with Britpop anthems, much to the delight of more than 60,000 ecstatic fans.

And as for the famously feuding siblings — Noel and Liam Gallagher? The tension seemed to cool, at least for one night. Brotherly love? Definitely maybe.

Liam’s Swagger, Noel’s Precision — and a Crowd That Sang Every Word

Fans traveled from across the globe to see what many thought would never happen: Oasis back together on stage. From the opening chords of “Hello” — complete with the line “it’s good to be back” — to the final echoes of “Champagne Supernova,” the energy never let up.

A montage of old tabloid headlines played before the band appeared, closing with the line “the guns have fallen silent.” As the lights hit the stage, the roar of the crowd was deafening.

Liam, 52, snarled into the mic in his signature parka with the same attitude he had in the ’90s, while 58-year-old Noel remained focused on his guitar, rarely interacting with his younger brother. Still, the sight of them briefly standing hand in hand was enough to send the crowd into a frenzy.

A Setlist Built on Nostalgia

The band’s set leaned heavily on their first two iconic albums — Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? — with tracks like “Supersonic,” “Roll With It,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” sparking mass sing-alongs.

“Turn around,” Liam urged the crowd, tambourine in hand, before launching into “Cigarettes and Alcohol.” “Put your arms over each other like you love each other.”

One of the night’s most poignant moments came during “Live Forever,” as an image of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota — who died in a car crash the day before — was projected above the stage.

Noel took over lead vocals for a few emotional numbers, including the fan-favorite “Half the World Away.” The encore featured Oasis staples: “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” “Wonderwall,” and “Champagne Supernova,” leaving fans in a euphoric daze.

A New Tour, But No New Music

The Cardiff show marked the start of the Live ’25 tour, which includes 19 dates across the UK and Ireland, followed by stops in North America, South America, Asia, and Australia, before wrapping up in São Paulo on November 23.

Despite the global trek, the band has made it clear: this is a reunion tour, not a full-scale comeback. No new music has been announced.

But that didn’t dampen the mood. Outside the Principality Stadium, fans sang together, snapped up Oasis-branded bucket hats for £35 ($48), and soaked in the moment.

“It’s very, very special — emotional,” said Rob Maule, 44, who traveled from Edinburgh with three childhood friends. “It’s a chapter of our lives. And now people are even bringing their kids. It’s generational.”

Vicki Moynehan, who came from Dorchester, wasn’t going to miss it — even at seven months pregnant.

“Ain’t gonna stop me,” she said.

Ticket Chaos and Government Scrutiny

The frenzy around the tour began the moment it was announced last August. Within minutes, Ticketmaster was overwhelmed with traffic, sparking long wait times, error messages, and price surges.

Fans reported paying up to £355 ($485) for standing tickets that were initially listed at £148 ($202). The controversy even reached the UK Parliament, where Arts Minister Chris Bryant criticized the lack of price transparency.

Britain’s competition watchdog has since threatened legal action against Ticketmaster, which reportedly sold over 900,000 tickets for the tour.

A Legacy Cemented — and Profitable

While the future of Oasis remains uncertain beyond the tour, music journalist John Aizlewood believes the reunion is as much about honoring the band’s legacy as it is about the music.

“There should be a sense of huge joy and life affirmation,” he said. “If they play it right, this tour could burnish their legacy. There’s still enduring love for Oasis — and love means money.”

Fans were simply happy to be there.

“I’m the oldest sibling of four brothers, so I know they’ll fall out,” said Stephen Truscott from Middlesbrough. “But the first night? They’re going to have an absolute unbelievable blast. It’s going to be the best.”

Source:  – AP News – Oasis returns after 16-year hiatus to a UK crowd ecstatic for the band’s 1990s hits