Oasis, the veteran pop combo led by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, has confirmed its highly anticipated reunion tour, set for 2025. The news has ignited a frenzy among fans worldwide, with the tour comprising 41 dates booked across multiple continents, commencing in the UK and Ireland in July. Among the first to confirm his involvement is bassist Andy Bell, who previously played with Oasis from 1999 to 2009 and later with Liam Gallagher’s post-Oasis project, Beady Eye. Bell's experience in handling the dynamics between the Gallagher brothers, as well as his tenure with other notable bands like Ride and Mantra of the Cosmos, makes him a key figure for the tour. In an interview with Austrian newspaper Oe24, Bell stated, “I’m in and I’m really looking forward to it. We’ll see each other on tour.”

Joining Bell on stage are expected to be his Beady Eye bandmate and longtime collaborator Gem Archer, guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, and drummer Joey Waronker. The tour will feature support from various artists including Cast, Richard Ashcroft, Cage The Elephant, and Ball Park Music. A highlight of the UK leg includes three sold-out shows at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on August 8, 9, and 12, for which an astounding 10 million people from over 100 countries attempted to secure tickets, selling out in record time. Later in the tour, two final UK gigs are scheduled for Wembley on September 27 and 28, following dates in LA and Mexico City.

Despite the immense excitement, the band's manager, Alec McKinlay, has dampened hopes for new music or additional tour dates. McKinlay, also a director at Ignition and Big Brother Recordings, categorically stated, “No, there’s no plan for any new music,” and clarified that this tour is “very much the last time around, as Noel’s made clear in the press.” This statement directly contradicts earlier claims by Liam Gallagher on social media, where he had suggested a new album was “already finished” and that he was “blown away” by Noel’s new material. McKinlay also shed light on how the reunion news was kept under wraps, noting that a “very limited” group of trusted individuals was involved in the planning, leading to a “phenomenal” reaction when the announcement finally broke.

However, the reunion tour has not been without its controversies, particularly regarding ticket sales. The UK competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has threatened legal action against Ticketmaster for “misleading” methods used during the sale of Oasis tickets. The CMA raised concerns about 'platinum' tickets, which were sold for up to 2.5 times the price of standard tickets without offering additional benefits, often in the same seating areas, misleading fans into believing they were superior. Furthermore, Ticketmaster allegedly failed to inform consumers about two categories of standing tickets at different price points, releasing cheaper tickets first before the more expensive ones, leading to confusion and inflated costs for many. Some fans reported paying over £350 for tickets that initially had a face value of £150.

In response to the dynamic pricing fiasco, Oasis issued a statement clarifying that decisions on ticketing and pricing are entirely handled by their promoters and management, and the band was “not aware” that dynamic pricing would be used. They emphasized that while prior meetings aimed for a fair fan experience, including dynamic ticketing to manage prices and reduce touting, the “execution of the plan failed to meet expectations” due to “unprecedented demand.”

Adding another layer of complexity, the Gallagher brothers have initiated a legal feud with fashion brand Oasis over trademarking their band’s logo. Noel and Liam have hired legal specialists Beck Greener to apply for the trademark, featuring ‘Oasis’ in white lettering on a black background, for use on various goods including clothes, toys, cosmetics, and jewellery. The online-only fashion retailer, which ceased brick-and-mortar operations in 2020, is opposing the move, branding the Gallaghers “free riders” and asserting that their proposed logo is “identical” to the brand's. The fashion company argues that the band would gain an “unfair advantage by virtue of free-riding on the reputation of the opponent’s trademark.” If mediation efforts fail, the dispute is set to proceed to a tribunal. Amidst these various challenges, the Oasis reunion tour presses on, offering fans a final opportunity to witness the iconic band live.