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The Brothers Are Back: Oasis Reunion Ignites Fan Frenzy and Legal Battles

Published 1 week ago4 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
The Brothers Are Back: Oasis Reunion Ignites Fan Frenzy and Legal Battles

Oasis has confirmed its highly anticipated reunion tour for 2025, embarking on 41 dates across the UK, Ireland, and multiple continents. The tour is set to kick off in July, marking a significant return for the veteran pop combo led by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher. Bassist Andy Bell, who previously played with Oasis from 1999 to 2009 and in Liam Gallagher’s post-Oasis project Beady Eye, has confirmed his involvement. He is expected to be joined by fellow Beady Eye bandmate Gem Archer, Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs on guitar, and drummer Joey Waronker.

A highlight of the tour includes three sold-out shows at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on August 8, 9, and 12. Tickets for these dates, and the tour generally, sold out in record time, with an astonishing 10 million people from over 100 countries attempting to secure them. Support acts for the tour include Cast, Richard Ashcroft, Cage The Elephant, and Ball Park Music.

Despite the immense success, Oasis’s manager, Alec McKinlay, has firmly ruled out the release of new material from the band and additional tour dates. McKinlay, also a director at Ignition and Big Brother Recordings, stated that the tour is “very much the last time around” for fans to see the band. He described the secretive planning process, noting that a very limited group knew about the comeback, and the reaction upon announcement was “phenomenal,” offering “good news after all the nonsense.” This contradicts earlier rumors, fueled by Liam Gallagher’s social media posts, suggesting a new album had been finished and that he was “blown away” by Noel’s new material.

The tour’s ticket sales, however, have not been without controversy. The UK competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has threatened legal action against Ticketmaster over “misleading” methods used during the sale of Oasis Live ‘25 tickets. The CMA expressed concern that Ticketmaster misled fans by selling ‘platinum’ tickets, which offered no additional benefits, for up to 2.5 times the price of equivalent standard tickets, often in the same stadium areas. Additionally, Ticketmaster reportedly failed to inform consumers about two categories of standing tickets at different prices, selling all cheaper tickets first before releasing more expensive ones, leading to customer frustration and overpayment.

Thousands of fans were infuriated, with some paying over £350 for tickets initially priced at £150. Oasis issued a statement shortly after the sale, disclaiming responsibility for the dynamic pricing fiasco. The band clarified that decisions on ticketing and pricing were left entirely to their promoters and management, and they were unaware dynamic pricing would be used. While initial meetings aimed for a fair fan experience and to reduce touting, the execution “failed to meet expectations,” despite all parties' efforts.

Adding to the tour's headlines, Liam Gallagher has engaged in some notable onstage antics. He confirmed he has been banned from throwing his tambourine and maracas into the crowd after an incident at a Wembley show where two individuals mobbed a female fan and stole his maracas. During a performance in Scotland, Liam also used the stage as a platform to verbally attack Edinburgh Council Chiefs, calling them “f****** slags” after leaked documents allegedly branded Oasis fans as “fat, drunk, and rowdy.” He also took a swipe at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, questioning its acts and claiming the band would bring “two billion pounds” into the city.

Looking beyond the current tour, speculation about Oasis’s future continues. The band has reportedly received offers for four massive shows at Knebworth House next year to mark the 30th anniversary of their historic 1996 concerts there, and a possible residency at the Etihad Stadium, home of their beloved Manchester City. Private bidders and major festivals like Coachella and Benicassim have also submitted offers. However, sources close to the band indicate that Noel and Liam are not considering anything for 2026, planning a “well-earned holiday” once the current tour concludes. They acknowledge the speculation and fan desires to “keep the magic going” but ultimately face a difficult decision on whether to “draw a line in the sand and close the door on this chapter.” It has been reiterated that there are no plans for new music.

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