Today marks a significant milestone as Oasis is set to reunite after a 15-year hiatus. Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher officially announced on Tuesday that the iconic band will embark on a reunion tour.
“This is it, this is happening,” declared a message shared on Oasis’s social media platforms.
The band is scheduled to perform 14 concerts across the U.K. and Ireland next year, including four shows in their hometown of Manchester and another four at Wembley Stadium in London.
“The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised,” read a press release, which also indicated that additional performances outside of Europe are planned for next year, suggesting that North American dates may soon be revealed.
Oasis stands as one of the most successful bands of the 1990s, with an estimated 75 million records sold and performances in stadiums worldwide.
Both Gallagher brothers teased the announcement Monday, posting a short video to X showing a flickering “27.08.24” in the band’s famous logo font. Liam Gallagher posted on Sunday morning: “I never did like that word FORMER.”
At 8 a.m. U.K. time (3 a.m. ET) on Tuesday, the long-awaited announcement arrived for countless fans: a significant tour that marks the reunion of the feuding siblings. The brothers, renowned for their series of successful albums and songs, were equally famous for their tumultuous off-stage behavior, high-profile marriages, and fierce disputes.
The band formed in Manchester, northwest England, in 1991 and got a recording contract on the strength of a single gig in Glasgow, Scotland, two years later where they were third on the bill.
The band’s inaugural album, “Definitely Maybe,” released in 1994, is still regarded as one of the finest British guitar albums. It propelled them to fame and established them as prominent figures in the revival of guitar music, a movement that the U.K. media dubbed “Britpop.”
Their subsequent album, “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” solidified their celebrity status with iconic tracks like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” resulting in widespread success and extensive tours throughout Europe and North America.
Following the disbandment of Oasis, both Gallaghers have pursued successful solo careers. Liam recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of “Definitely Maybe” with a series of arena performances, while Noel has been active with his band, High Flying Birds, since 2010, during which he has released four albums.
Despite the Gallaghers frequently performing classic Oasis tracks at their concerts, many fans feel that the true essence of their music is lost without the brothers sharing the stage together.
The last time the Gallaghers performed as a duo was following a backstage altercation at a music festival in Paris in 2009.
Reconciliation between the two has often appeared improbable, as both have exchanged insults on social media and in interviews.
However, recent weeks have indicated a thawing of their relationship. In a recent interview, Noel offered compliments to his younger brother, acknowledging his distinctive vocal style. He remarked on the unique quality of Liam’s voice, likening it to “10 shots of tequila on a Friday night,” in contrast to his own, which he described as “half a Guinness on a Tuesday.”
The potential for the band’s reunion may have been influenced by the successful comebacks of their contemporaries from the 1990s. Blur, who were rivals of Oasis during the U.K. chart competition in 1995, reunited for two performances at Wembley Stadium last year, with the first show selling out all 90,000 tickets within minutes.
Additionally, The Stone Roses, another influential Manchester band for the Gallaghers, reunited for a series of concerts in 2012 after a hiatus of 16 years.
Income from recorded music has diminished since the advent of streaming services, but live music for big-name acts is booming. According to one industry estimate the Oasis reunion could make £400 million ($528 million).
