Navigation

© Zeal News Africa

Oasis Resurgence: Band's Epic Comeback Sparks Knebworth Buzz & Legal Drama

Published 6 days ago4 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
Oasis Resurgence: Band's Epic Comeback Sparks Knebworth Buzz & Legal Drama

The highly anticipated Oasis reunion tour is currently underway, with bassist Andy Bell confirming his involvement. Bell, who was a member of Oasis from 1999 to 2009 and later joined Liam Gallagher's post-Oasis project Beady Eye, is ideally suited to navigate the dynamics between the Gallagher brothers. He is expected to be joined by his Beady Eye bandmate Gem Archer, Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs on guitar, and drummer Joey Waronker. The band has a massive 41 dates booked for 2025, commencing at stadiums across the UK and Ireland in July before expanding to multiple continents, with support from acts like Cast, Richard Ashcroft, Cage The Elephant, and Ball Park Music.

The iconic band, fronted by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, played sold-out shows at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on August 8, 9, and 12. An astonishing 10 million people from over 100 countries reportedly attempted to purchase tickets, which sold out in record time. Despite the immense success and fan demand, the band's manager, Alec McKinlay, has firmly stated that there will be no new material from Oasis and no additional tour dates. McKinlay emphasized that this reunion is “very much the last time around,” serving as a finite opportunity for fans to see the band live. He also detailed the strict secrecy maintained during the planning of the comeback, noting the “phenomenal” reaction when it was finally announced, describing it as “Finally, some good news after all the nonsense that’s been going on in the world.”

The tour has not been without controversy, particularly concerning ticket sales. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into Ticketmaster, threatening legal action over what it deemed “misleading” sales methods. Concerns arose from the sale of ‘platinum’ tickets, which were priced significantly higher (up to 2.5 times) than equivalent standard tickets without offering additional benefits and were often located in the same seating areas. Furthermore, Ticketmaster allegedly failed to inform consumers that there were two categories of standing tickets at different prices, selling the cheaper ones first before releasing more expensive options. Oasis, for their part, publicly distanced themselves from the dynamic pricing fiasco, stating they were “not aware” the system would be used and that such decisions were left entirely to their promoters and management. They acknowledged that while the prior strategy aimed for a fair experience and to reduce touting, its execution “failed to meet expectations” due to unprecedented demand.

During the Scottish leg of the tour, Liam Gallagher made headlines for his direct on-stage commentary. He confirmed a ban on throwing his tambourine and maracas into the crowd, citing unruly fan behavior, including instances where individuals mobbed a female fan to steal his maracas. Liam explained, “I’ve just been told, ‘Don’t do any of that s**t anymore,’ because you don’t know how to behave yourselves.” He also took aim at Edinburgh Council Chiefs, branding them “f****** slags” after leaked documents reportedly labeled Oasis fans as “fat, drunk, and rowdy.” He further criticized the Fringe festival, dismissing it as “People juggling f*****g bollocks and that? Swallowing swords ...one-legged bicycles. What’s all that s*t about? S****y card tricks.” In a more positive interaction, Liam dedicated the song “Stand By Me” to Susan Boyle at their final Murrayfield gig, which delighted the singer, who later thanked him on social media. Backstage, Noel Gallagher maintained a retro vibe, with his podcaster pal Matt Morgan noting the surprising presence of Wagon Wheels in the green room.

Looking ahead, despite persistent rumors and offers for future shows, including four huge concerts at Knebworth House next year to mark the 30th anniversary of their 1996 historic gigs, and a potential residency at the Etihad Stadium, sources close to the band indicate no solid plans or bookings are locked in for 2026. Noel and Liam are reportedly looking forward to a “well-earned holiday” after the current tour concludes. Offers from private bidders and major festivals like Coachella in the US and Benicassim in Spain have reportedly been stonewalled, reinforcing the notion that this 2025 reunion is indeed a finite chapter. This monumental comeback has not only been a series of concerts but a “cultural movement,” inspiring other artists like Kasabian, whose frontman Serge Pizzorno cited seeing Oasis’s first night as a spark to fast-track their own new album plans.

Recommended Articles

Loading...

You may also like...