Fans in Australia are celebrating the return of the legendary rock band Oasis, marking what has been dubbed the biggest rock comeback of the 21st century. Following their announcement in August 2024 that “the guns have fallen silent, the stars have aligned,” the excitement surrounding Oasis has reached a fever pitch. The band commenced their comeback tour on July 4, 2024, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, performing to a staggering audience of 2.19 million over 31 shows. This includes five nights at Manchester’s Heaton Park, attracting 370,000 attendees, and another five concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium, which drew in 405,000 fans.
Oasis kicked off their Australian leg of the tour with three shows at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, where excitement is palpable. They are set to perform next at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on July 12, 2024, in front of an expected crowd of 83,500. Among the fans will be lifelong Oasis admirer Gavan Reynolds, a Newcastle auctioneer who has already attended one concert in Manchester.
Reynolds describes his experience at the Manchester show as “overwhelming,” likening it to a “pinch-yourself moment.” He reflected on seeing a band he thought he would never see again, saying, “It was like one of your dearest friends had passed away and was gone forever, and all of a sudden, they’re back alive again, and you’re experiencing it.”
The tumultuous relationship between the Gallagher brothers, Noel and Liam, has long fascinated fans. Their infamous feuds contributed to the band’s allure during their mid-90s peak, culminating in their breakup in 2009. For 15 years, they were embroiled in a public feud, which left fans wondering if they would ever reunite.
Reynolds expressed his concerns about potential tensions during the tour, stating, “I thought to myself, ‘What if they’re only able to tolerate each other for a short period of time?’ I decided I would go wherever the initial shows were going to be, and that was the UK.”
While fans like Reynolds have a long history with Oasis, others are newer to the band’s music. Jerome O’Connor, a Newcastle musician and venue co-owner, discovered Oasis after their breakup and became enamored with their work. He attended the second Wembley gig on July 26, 2024, and was struck by the fervor of the UK crowd. “When they started, it felt like I wasn’t even a fan. For the UK crowd, it was like their religion,” he said. O’Connor noted that the experience was awe-inspiring, as 80,000 people sang along to every song, even the B-sides.
For younger fans, such as Thomas and Tim Toft, the music of Oasis resonates not just out of nostalgia but because of the essence of rock and roll they represent. The brothers, who grew up listening to their parents’ albums, plan to attend the Sydney show. Thomas remarked, “There’s a spirit and an essence to it. I think that’s what is grabbing a lot of people’s attention these days.”
Notably, the demand for tickets has surged since Oasis last toured Australia in 2005, when they performed at smaller venues like Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. “It’s funny how everyone is on the bandwagon and actually likes them,” Thomas Toft observed, highlighting the polarizing nature of Oasis’s legacy.
Among the devoted fans is Jade Lazarevic, a Newcastle Herald reporter who has attended seven Oasis concerts. The camaraderie among fans at these shows is something she cherishes. “There’s a real sense of connection between everyone in the crowd, singing along to ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger,’ arm in arm,” Lazarevic expressed.
Her dedication to the band led her to a memorable encounter with Liam Gallagher at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan in 2012. After initiating a conversation with a brand manager for Liam’s fashion label, she received an invitation to a launch party, where she met the singer. “Liam was very friendly and obliging,” she recalled fondly.
As Oasis captivates audiences in Australia, both long-time fans and newcomers embrace the band’s return, celebrating the music that has defined generations. The excitement is palpable as the Gallagher brothers take the stage, proving that their impact on the rock music landscape remains as powerful as ever.
