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Oasis Reunion Heats Up: Andy Bell Confirms Lineup Amidst Ticketmaster Legal Threats

Published 4 hours ago4 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
Oasis Reunion Heats Up: Andy Bell Confirms Lineup Amidst Ticketmaster Legal Threats

The iconic British rock band Oasis is set to embark on a highly anticipated reunion tour in 2025, a global undertaking that will see them perform 41 dates across multiple continents. Bassist Andy Bell, a long-standing member of Oasis from 1999 to 2009 and a collaborator in Liam Gallagher's post-Oasis project Beady Eye, has officially confirmed his involvement. Bell, also known for his work with Creation Records band Ride and Mantra of the Cosmos, expressed his excitement to Austrian newspaper Oe24, stating, “I’m in and I’m really looking forward to it. We’ll see each other on tour.” His extensive history with both Liam and Noel Gallagher is seen as an ideal asset for navigating the dynamics between the famously feuding brothers during prolonged periods of close proximity.

Bell is expected to be joined by fellow Beady Eye bandmate and long-time collaborator Gem Archer, who also contributed to Bell's recent solo album, 'Pinball Wanderer'. Other rumoured members of the live band include Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs on guitar and drummer Joey Waronker, ensuring a lineup that blends familiar faces with seasoned professionals. The tour will commence with stadium shows across the UK and Ireland in July 2025, with support acts including Cast, Richard Ashcroft, Cage The Elephant, and Ball Park Music.

Among the most anticipated dates are the three sold-out shows at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on August 8, 9, and 12. These concerts highlight the immense demand for the reunion, as 10 million people from over 100 countries reportedly attempted to secure tickets, which sold out in record time. Despite the widespread excitement, the band's manager, Alec McKinlay, has firmly ruled out the possibility of new material and additional tour dates. McKinlay, who is also a director at Ignition and Big Brother Recordings, clarified that this reunion is “very much the last time around,” echoing sentiments previously expressed by Noel Gallagher in the press. He explained that the aim is to give fans who haven't seen the band a chance to experience their live performance, adding, “No, there’s no plan for any new music.” McKinlay also detailed the meticulous process of keeping the comeback tour under wraps, working with a limited, trusted group, and described the overwhelming public reaction as “phenomenal” and a welcome positive amidst global events.

However, the highly anticipated tour has not been without controversy, particularly regarding ticket sales. The UK competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has threatened legal action against Ticketmaster for what it described as “misleading” sales methods for the Oasis reunion tour tickets. An investigation was launched following numerous complaints last summer, where thousands of fans reported paying significantly inflated prices. Concerns include the sale of ‘platinum’ tickets for up to 2.5 times the price of standard tickets (e.g., £350 for a £150 face value ticket) without clearly stating that they offered no additional benefits and were often located in the same stadium areas. The CMA also alleged that Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law by not informing customers that there were two categories of standing tickets at different price points, releasing cheaper tickets first before making more expensive ones available, leading to confusion and frustration among buyers.

Oasis, in turn, has distanced itself from the dynamic pricing fiasco, issuing a statement that clarified the band was “not aware” that such a system would be used. They asserted that decisions on ticketing and pricing are left entirely to their promoters and management. While prior meetings aimed for a fair ticket sale strategy, including dynamic ticketing to potentially keep general prices down and reduce touting, the band admitted that “the execution of the plan failed to meet expectations.” Despite their efforts, the unprecedented demand made it impossible to achieve the intended fan experience. Fans attending the Scottish dates were among those who complained about paying far more for tickets than anticipated due to these sales tactics.

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