A tour of “biblical” proportions, this was a monumental feat for countless reasons. Throughout the ever tumultuous touring life of Oasis, there have been the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Playing Manchester City’s home field, Wembley Stadium in 2000, and two historic nights at Knebworth farms… all the way to the bottom with their infamous “methed out” gig at Whiskey A-Go-Go in LA in 1994. It’s never been easy, but good music rarely is.
Liam Gallagher wasn’t in hibernation leading up to the announcement. His lengthy European tour celebrating 30 years of Oasis’ debut record “Definitely Maybe” was in its final stretch when a glimmer of hope was shined above the crowd at Readings Festival. The classic “Oasis” font and block with a set of dates displayed in black and gold. “27.08.24”. Murmurs began. A hesitating hush grew and blossomed into a raucous cheer. What could this be? A re-release of the debut album? A new line of $50 shirts? It couldn’t possibly be a reunion between “The Pouting Potato” (Liam said about Noel) and “the man with a fork in a world of soup” (Noel said about Liam). When the 27th finally arrived, the impossible was confirmed. With 11 months warning, Oasis would be returning in July 2025.
This tour lasted through November, touching down in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia. No shortage of miles being put on the Gallagher brothers as they embarked on their first tour in 16 years. “Live ‘25” was announced almost a year ahead of its opening date in Cardiff, Wales. Under a closed roof, Oasis firmly planted their foot as they stepped off the retirement bus. Holding hands and walking step by step, Noel and Liam Gallagher appeared from stage right.
A sober Liam, who was driven right to the stage and right from the stage at every gig, made it very clear on social media that his shenanigans would be put on hold for the “Live 25” tour. This was a celebration for the old and new fans alike. Too sacred to jeopardize. Folks have lived lives since their last gig. Children were born, people married, people divorced, houses were built. The world kept spinning without Oasis, but that doesn’t mean it time didn’t freeze during two hours they were on stage. A cleansing of the spirit. A wash of the life we all led earlier that day and will tomorrow. For a large group, this was the first time they were seeing Oasis. Whether they were 20 years old like myself who were 3 when Oasis last played the States, or a 50 year old who never got the chance when they were growing up to “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory”, this was the maiden concerts for fans everywhere.
I saw Oasis at Soldier Field in Chicago on August 28th, their first return to the US in 17 years. An open and wide stage sets the backdrop with screens that spanned its length. This was a smaller stage than normal for them, due to the size constraints of the smallest NFL stadium and the busy weekend Soldier Field had. The iconic font and block raised above the stage like a halo. A heavenly omen to the performance ahead. Before stepping out to tens of thousands, a warning was played for the crowd. Recalling their live record “Familiar to Millions”, “Fuckin’ in the Bushes” was blared over the speakers during their entrance. Jumping straight into the aptly named track “Hello” followed by the duet “Acquiesce”, you were hit over the head with only the beginning of a legendary night. The same setlist every night was welcomed as it was a nearly perfect encapsulation of the bands legendary run. 8 tracks from “Morning Glory”, 6 from “Definitely Maybe”, 5 B-Sides from “The Masterplan”, and a collection of other hits. A variety anchored by the first two historic records.
Liam, at his heart, is an entertainer above all else. If the instruments were left in the truck, he could keep the people entertained with his stories. A key moment of this tour was ahead of the sixth song on the set “Cigarettes and Alcohol”. Gallagher would spew a story, depending on the location, of him being approached earlier that day by a worried fan that the crowd would not participate in the “poznan”. A celebration that has found its way to Maine Road and Man City, the Gallagher brothers favorite club, infected the Live 25 tour as well. Webs were spun across these stories, as Octopuses and Koalas in Australia were worried, Sharks in Sau Paulo questioned, and Noel even taking the reins for this ongoing bit in Mexico City. A volley back and forth between the brothers, one that seemed impossible 2 years ago.
The final 8 songs were something that very few other bands could pull off. Split in half was the final four of the set and the encore quartet, it was a roulette of some of the greatest Oasis songs. “Slide Away” persuaded its outro into my ears for life, “Whatever” gave me a snippet of “Octopuses Garden” live in 2025. “Live Forever” into “Rock n’ Roll Star” is the exit of folklore. As a white screen with “live 25” sprayed bright lights over the crowd. No one moved a muscle. There was more to hear. Noel came back out with an acoustic guitar to play the B-Side “The Masterplan”, as he introduced the backing band. Bonded by original Oasis guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, his replacement from 1999 Gem Archer, Beady Eye and Oasis alum Andy Bell on bass, and drumming extraordinaire Joey Waronker to hold down the rhythm section. A group welded together through connections, solo projects, and Oasis itself that felt like they’d been together for decades.
The final three tracks were what a lot of people were waiting for. All off the 1996 album “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory”, any of these tracks could have been the closer. Starting with Noel continuing his vocals with “Don’t Look Back in Anger”. The piano held steady going from C to F, as the pentatonic box that Noel loves so much was tickled into its iconic intro lead guitar part. The tension in this song builds so well, as the pre chorus goes from F to F minor to craft that dropping feeling before you are lifted back up for the chorus. Noel left the singing duties in the first two choruses to the crowd, rejoining the choir of 65,000+ after the guitar solo. Swiftly into the open mic night favorite “Wonderwall” followed by a thank you from Liam for showing up to Oasis’ first American gig since 2008. The first note of “Champagne Supernova” was struck. It felt like the closing of a book you adored. You’d waited a long time to finally read it, paid extra for the hardcover too. Once you got your hands on it you couldn’t put it down. Flipping through pages at an alarming rate, almost too fast, to the point where you knew you weren’t leaving that chair until it was done. With a final blank page at the end turned, you felt that lovely hardcover leave your fingertips and fall to the will of gravity as it closed. An expansive guitar solo, powerful vocals, and a fireworks display that would bring a grown man to tears, Oasis had reconquered the Unites States. Time to put the book on the shelf.
In Chicago, there were songs dedicated to the Irish, the early risers, the warriors, the glue sniffers, and those who couldn’t be there. Whether they were just not in attendance, or those we have lost, “Live Forever” is a staunch reminder of what makes Oasis so challenging to put into words. There are lyrics that have implanted a response in my head whenever I hear those words in daily life. Also, absolute nonsense about lasagna in “Digsy Diner”. No matter where on the spectrum of poetry to pasta the lyrics fall, it’s the feeling it evokes. It’s the rattling of the barricade, the smiles spreading like the flu, the people singing, and the people listening.
Everyone knew there was a timer on this. These moments couldn’t last a lifetime. They aren’t meant to. That’s what made it so special. If it didn’t end, we wouldn’t have the memory. Memory is a tricky thing. It can contort itself without you even knowing. Run threads from one to another as it crochets itself into a mural of your own making. It’s short sighted to say something like a concert can change a life. It didn’t change me but rather stuck with me. It was a hefty and sturdy string that has woven its way into my mural. The music, the look, the people, the smile, the joy, the day. I spent it by the lake with my friends, listening to one of my favorite bands, and running around in the chaos of what we all know will probably be the first and last time. I knew it in the moment too that this was going to be with me permanently. My bucket hat and I watched what will replay in my head when I’m stuck inside in February and feeling the sun on my face in July. I love being in a memory in real time. There was no questioning this. I know what I saw, what I heard, and what I felt. This memory has been woven in. It will live forever.
