Background and Significance of Oasis
Oasis, the iconic British rock band hailing from Manchester, England, is embarking on a monumental 41-concert global tour, marking their first live performances together in over 15 years since their disbandment. The tour, which spans four continents, includes stops in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico.
Tour Itinerary
- First concert in Cardiff, Wales on Friday night at the Principality Stadium
- Five concerts in their hometown, Manchester, starting from July 11
- Performances at Wembley Stadium in London and Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland, prior to the international leg
- Final show in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in November
Fan Anticipation and Reactions
Liam Gallagher, 52, expressed his sentiments on social media: “The only thing that matters is how people feel.” This statement comes after a long wait for fans, as the band’s split in 2009 following another altercation between the Gallagher brothers at a Paris festival left many skeptical about their reunion.
Fans from around the world, including Tom McIntosh from Edimburgo and Charlotte Abisset from France, have shared their excitement about attending the concerts. Some have been fans for nearly two decades, while others are experiencing Oasis for the first time.
Ticket Sales and Controversy
Oasis, renowned for hits like “Live Forever” and “Wonderwall” in the 90s, announced their comeback just before the 30th anniversary of their debut album, “Definitely Maybe,” in August. The surprise announcement sparked a frenzy among fans, selling nearly 900,000 tickets in a short span.
However, the online ticket sale turned chaotic, with millions stuck in endless queues without success. The exorbitant price hikes due to a “dynamic pricing” system caused outrage and controversy, prompting the UK competition regulator to investigate Ticketmaster’s practices.
Despite the turbulence, the tour is projected to be a financially lucrative venture. Fans are expected to spend over £1 billion ($1.365 billion) on tickets and related expenses, according to Barclays’ estimates.
Mystery and Speculation
Oasis has kept fans guessing about the setlist, fueling speculation over unreleased tracks or surprise guest appearances. The band’s logo appeared on Cardiff’s stadium via a drone showcase before the official tour start.
The gates of the 74,500-capacity stadium opened at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT), with Oasis expected to take the stage around three hours later, following performances by Richard Ashcroft of The Verve and Cast.
Reports suggest the band has been rehearsing in London for months and welcomed new members for this tour. Noel Gallagher, 58, in a pre-show program, spoke about the band’s enduring appeal among new fans who recognize Oasis “wasn’t a prefabricated product.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Oasis? Oasis is a British rock band from Manchester, England, known for their iconic hits in the 1990s.
- When and where did their comeback tour start? The tour kicked off on Friday night at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
- Why is this tour significant? This marks the first live performances together in over 15 years since their disbandment, spanning four continents and expected to be financially very successful.
- What caused controversy during ticket sales? The online ticket sale turned chaotic due to long queues and exorbitant price hikes, leading to an investigation by the UK competition regulator.
- What can fans expect from the setlist? Oasis has kept the setlist a secret, fueling speculation about unreleased tracks or surprise guest appearances.
