Liam Gallagher performs at the Reading Music Festival, England on Aug. 29, 2021, left, and Noel Gallagher performs at the Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, on June 25, 2022. (AP Photo)
Oasis, the iconic Britpop band known for classics like "Wonderwall" and "Don’t Look Back in Anger," is set to reunite next summer for a tour across the British Isles, marking the end of a 15-year break. This highly anticipated reunion, announced on Tuesday, suggests that the long-standing feud between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher may finally be over.
The band will perform 14 shows across Wales, England, Scotland, and Ireland in July and August. "This is it. This is happening," Oasis declared, confirming the news that fans have been eagerly waiting for.
Oasis originally disbanded in 2009 following years of internal strife, culminating in Noel Gallagher's departure just before a scheduled performance near Paris. The Gallagher brothers' relationship had always been fraught, and after the split, they reportedly did not speak for years. Noel explained his departure at the time, saying, "I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer."
Since then, the brothers have pursued solo careers, often performing Oasis songs at their gigs while continuing to publicly criticize each other. One of the most notable incidents involved Noel accusing Liam of being too hungover to perform at a 2009 concert, leading to a lawsuit that was later dropped.
Despite their differences, the brothers are now preparing to reunite on stage. The band promises fans will experience the unique "spark and intensity" that only comes from their live performances together. Tickets for the tour will go on sale Saturday at 9 a.m., with a presale on Friday. To register for the presale, fans must identify the band's original drummer.
The tour kicks off with two shows on July 4 and 5 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. Other major dates include performances at Heaton Park in Manchester on July 11, 12, 19, and 20; Wembley Stadium in London on July 25, 26, and August 2, 3; Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on August 8 and 9; and Croke Park in Dublin on August 16 and 17. Oasis also hinted at potential performances outside Europe later in the year, though details are yet to be confirmed.
In the tour announcement, the band subtly acknowledged their tumultuous past, stating, "The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised."
Noel Gallagher had previously cited a particularly volatile incident involving Liam wielding a guitar as a reason for his departure in 2009. Liam, on the other hand, has expressed a desire to mend their relationship, emphasizing the importance of their bond as brothers.
Speculation about a reunion had been mounting in recent days, especially after a cryptic video was posted on the band's social media accounts, teasing an announcement. This follows years of rumors, particularly after Liam's solo performance at a benefit concert following the 2017 Manchester bombing, which fueled hopes for a reunion.
Leading up to the official announcement, Liam had hinted at the possibility on social media, while Noel remained mostly silent, only sharing teasers. The reunion coincides with the upcoming release of a deluxe edition of Oasis' debut album, "Definitely Maybe," celebrating its 30th anniversary.
As anticipation builds, fans are eager to see what the future holds for Oasis as they prepare to take the stage once again.
