Oasis: What's the story?
They went All Around The World before Falling Down
Arguably THE biggest guitar band of the 90s, Oasis fused the sonic onslaught of The Sex Pistols in their prime with the melodicism of The Beatles, whilst channelling the insouciant swagger of The Stone Roses. Dismissing false modesty in favour of supreme confidence, Oasis set out to be the biggest band in the world.
Despite achieving that goal, their success came at a high personal price, leaving brothers Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher on not-so amicable terms - leading all of us to wonder whether an Oasis reunion would ever take place. Well, it looks like 2024 was the year the hatchet was buried, with an official reunion and tour coming our was next year. In the meantime, here's everything you need to know about the legend that is Oasis...
How Oasis formed
Despite the eventual songwriting dominance of Noel Gallagher, Oasis were actually formed by singer Liam Gallagher and his pals Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, bassist Paul McGuigan and drummer Tony McCaroll in Manchester in 1991, and were originally called Rain.
They changed their name to Oasis when Noel Gallagher joined the band as guitarist after having spent time working as a roadie for Manc baggies Inspiral Carpets.
Are Oasis getting back together?
Aah, one of 2024's biggest questions in the world music - and the short answer is, yes. Following years of feuding and barbed words, you'd be safe in assuming that an Oasis reunion was pretty much off the cards - that was, however, until 2024, when clues began to crop up here and there suggesting the brothers may join forces again.
Serious speculation began in May 2024, following a mysterious post on Oasis' social channels, that had fans convinced that a reunion was on the cards. Not only that, but it was Liam's response to the cryptic post that truly got fans talking...
Responding to increased speculation around an Oasis reunion, following the series of cryptic posts, Liam wrote: 'God knows someone must be selling something,' also explaining that he'd deleted an earlier post about the Oasis reunion as it could have been construed as 'misleading.' However, despite effectively quashing the rumours, when asked if he's ready to reunite with his brother Noel, he simply answered: 'Yep.'
The cryptic posts, however, were later revealed to be announcing a 30th anniversary reissue of the band's debut album, 'Definitely Maybe'.
It was on 15th August, however, that the internet truly went into meltdown, with Oasis' official social media platforms again teasing that a big announcement was looming, marking peoples' calendars for 8am on 27th August 2024.
Fuelling the fire on the Oasis reunion front, our prayers were officially answered when the announcement dropped that the band would be reforming for a mammoth tour in summer 2025. Announcing dates across the UK & Ireland, a social posts was captioned: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.'
Oasis' UK tour 2025
Following their reunion tour announcement, fans had the chance to enter an early-access ballot for tickets - which were set to go on sale on Saturday 31st August.
Following tickets going on sale, demand saw prices surge to over double the initial price. The high demand not only led to more dates being announced, but the Government has promising a review of 'in demand' ticket pricing.
On top of the initial dates announced, Oasis added three extra dates to their 'Live ‘25' reunion tour, at Manchester Heaton Park on Wednesday 16th July, London Wembley Stadium on Wednesday 30th July, and Edinburgh Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on Tuesday 12th August.
Oasis UK reunion tour dates 2025
JULY 2025
Cardiff Principality Stadium - 4th
Cardiff Principality Stadium - 5th
Manchester Heaton Park - 11th
Manchester Heaton Park - 12th
Manchester Heaton Park – 16th – EXTRA DATE
Manchester Heaton Park - 19th
Manchester Heaton Park - 20th
London Wembley Stadium - 25th
London Wembley Stadium - 26th
London Wembley Stadium – 30th – EXTRA DATE
AUGUST 2025
London Wembley Stadium - 2nd
London Wembley Stadium - 3rd
Edinburgh Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium - 8th
Edinburgh Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium - 9th
Edinburgh Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium – 12th – EXTRA DATE
Dublin Croke Park - 16th
Dublin Croke Park - 17th
Will they perform at Glastonbury 2025?
Along with the excitement of the Oasis reunion announcement, rumours became rife that the band were set to headline at the world-renowned Glastonbury Festival in 2025. Despite the rumours, and keen backing from fans, the band silenced the rumours as they released a statement to confirm that they would not be performing at the festival.
The statement, shared to Oasis' official socials, read: 'Despite media speculation, Oasis will not be playing Glastonbury 2025 or any other festivals next year. The only way to see the band perform will be on their Oasis Live '25 World Tour.'
What was Oasis’ first song?
Reports vary, but what is certain is that eight songs were recorded for their first demo tape. Later released on the 20th anniversary edition of Oasis’ debut album, ‘Definitely Maybe’, the Live Demonstration’s track listing is: ‘Cloudburst’ (later released as the B-side to ‘Live Forever’), ‘Columbia’, ‘D’yer Wanna Be A Spaceman?’ (‘Shakermaker’’s B-side), ‘Strange Thing’, ‘Bring It On Down’, ‘Married With Children’, ‘Fade Away’ (which appeared as the B-side to ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’), and ‘Rock’n’Roll Star’.
When was Oasis’ first album released?
Having been spotted and signed by Creation Records boss Alan McGee after he accidently saw them play King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow in May 1993, Oasis rose to prominence throughout 1994 - including a performance at the legendary 100 Club in London.
The limited edition white label release of ‘Columbia’ was soon followed by their official debut single release, ‘Supersonic’, in April 1994, which peaked at No. 31 in the UK singles charts - with fans celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024 amid a re-release, plus an unearthed live version of the song.
It’s follow-up, ‘Shakermaker’, was released just two months later and missed the Top 10 by one place. All that changed with their third single, ‘Live Forever’, which achieved what its predecessor hadn’t.
With Oasismania now in full swing, their debut album, ‘Definitely Maybe’, entered the UK album chart at Number 1 upon its release in August 1994, and in the process became the fastest-selling debut album in the UK at the time. It's since gone on to be certified 9x Platinum selling.
Were Oasis big in America?
They were. ‘Definitely Maybe’ sold over a million copies in the US and they’d go on to play arenas and stadiums throughout the course of their career. For example, Oasis’ US tour in support of their second album, the infamous ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory’ (1995) wound up at the 11,800-capacity Mayo Civic Centre in Rochester, Minnesota.
WATCH | Liam Gallagher: 'Never bought a dodgy PARKA…there’s a reason I spent £20K'
Have Oasis headlined Glastonbury?
They have indeed. They first headlined the Glastonbury Festival’s celebrated Pyramid Stage in 1995, where they previewed tracks from the yet-to-be-released ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory’.
Well, we say ‘Pyramid Stage’, but really, it was the Main Stage that year as the previous structure was destroyed in a fire the year before. And bizarrely, for such a hot, rain-free Glastonbury – yes, such a thing exists! - the Gallaghers elected to wear big, thick duffel coats. As you do. In the summer.
They next headlined Glastonbury in 2004 with former Beatle Paul McCartney and pomp-rockers Muse.
But did you know they made their Glastonbury debut in 1994, playing the Other Stage on the Sunday afternoon where they were sandwiched between Britpoppers Echobelly and Britrapper Credit To The Nation?
WATCH: Noel Gallagher says Oasis are reforming and playing Glastonbury
What were Oasis’ biggest hits?
Oasis topped the UK singles charts an incredible eight times: ‘Some Might Say’ (1995), ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ (1996), ‘D’You Know What I Mean?’ (1997), ‘All Around The World’ (1998), ‘Go Let It Out’ (2000), ‘The Hindu Times’ (2002), ‘Lyla’ and ‘The Importace Of Being Idle’ (both 2005).
Other smashes include the standalone single, ‘Whatever’ (1994), ‘Wonderwall’ (1995) and ‘Stand By Me’ (1997).
When did Oasis break up?
Oasis officially split in August 2009. Noel broke the news on the band’s official website, writing: “It is with some sadness and great relief...I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.”
The relationship between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher was always fractious at best. As evidenced by the bootleg single ‘Wibbling Rivalry’ – a recording of the brothers having an almighty ding-dong during an interview with a music journalist – it didn’t take much to set them off.
Noel first quit Oasis in September 1994 after a particularly disastrous gig in Los Angeles where Liam threw a tambourine at his brother’s head. The guitarist left for a second time in September 1996, which resulted in the cancellation of Oasis’ remaining US tour dates.
With Gem Archer and Andy Bell replacing Bonehead and Paul McGuigan on guitar and bass respectively, Noel then walked out on the band again after yet another row with Liam, claiming that he’d never tour with Oasis overseas again. Calling upon the services of Mother Earth guitarist Matt Deighton for the remainder of tour, this meant that Liam Gallagher was the sole original member of the group!
Things finally came to a head on 28th August 2009 at the Rock en Siene festival in Paris. With just minutes to go before showtime, Noel finally quit the band after a violent backstage altercation with Liam. According to reports, the trouble started when Liam threw a plum at his brother’s head. Things soon escalated when Liam then started waving Noel’s guitar like an axe before smashing the instrument up. They haven’t spoken to each other since.
Did Noel and Liam disagree on an Oasis reunion?
While Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds continued to enjoy enormous success, releasing their fourth album in June 2023, Liam’s solo career also took off following the demise of the post-Oasis outfit, Beady Eye.
But according to Liam, Noel "begged" him to reform Oasis, a claim that was shot down by the elder brother who said: 'Sadly I think the other fella must have been on the leftover Christmas Babycham. For the record, until anyone hears it from ME, it’s not happening.'
Liam went to head to head with former bass guitarist Andy Bell in April 2024, after he expressed the opinion that he thought the band might reunite, with Liam - you guessed it - taking to X (formerly Twitter).
Bell has since apologised, writing: "Apologies! Didn’t mean to get anyone’s hopes up, nothing to see here! X.”
Of course, fast-forward to August 2024 and news of an official reunion was confirmed. Read up on everything we know about the Oasis reunion, and the story of how they came to reunite.
WATCH: Noel Gallagher on why Oasis split up
The story of how Oasis came to reunite - from splitting to now:
2013: Have Liam and Noel Gallagher made-up?
There have been some nice words said over the years. In 2013, Liam told NME, "I like Noel outside the band. Human Noel - that's my brother - I f--king adore him and I'd do anything for him."
2014: Noel expressed his sadness about the split of Beady Eye
He told Q Magazine, "I'm very f--king sad about Beady Eye, because I know they really wanted to make it work." He offered support and assured fans, "Liam won't stay out of the limelight for long. I think Liam should make a solo record – put his balls on the line, put his name up in lights and go for it."
2015: Liam goes to watch Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Liam Gallagher even went to see Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds in concert tweeting a backstage pass and the words 'Keeping it in the family...LG x'
2016: Oasis reunion rumours swirl
Wait! Could an Oasis reunion be on the cards? Hopes are lifted when The Daily Star quotes Noel saying he'll do it if the money's right. And how much would that be? "For twenty million quid, one gig – that is good money, isn't it?" Let's not get too excited, though, as Noel then adds: "But I have never had that offer from anyone yet."
Noel does concede that it could still happen, but it's best if no one holds their breath, "There might come a day one day where it might seem like a good idea, but I have so much I want to do. I have so much to do on my own that I don't really see it to be honest."
2017: Noel Gallagher collaborates with Blur's Damon Albarn
Proving that nothing is impossible, a decades-old feud is finally laid to rest when Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher collaborate on the Gorillaz single, 'We've Got The Power', which also singer Jehnny Beth of post-punk outfit Savages.
Speaking of working with Noel, Damon Albarn said, "I thought it might be cute, the idea of us singing about the power to love each other. Of course, no one's asked Liam what he thinks about the song yet. No doubt he'd have a fantastic one-liner about what a bunch of f--king k---heads we are."
testWatch the video on YouTube.
2017: One Love Manchester
With his solo career taking off, Liam Gallagher is a surprise guest at the One Love Manchester benefit gig, which raised money for the victims and families by those caught up in a terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in the city.
Despite rumours of an Oasis reunion, Noel Gallagher doesn't play, although Liam buries the hatchet with testColdplay's Chris Martin. Having previously called the Coldplay frontman a "geography teacher", a "vicar" and a "plant pot" among other memorable insults, the pair play an emotional rendition of 'Live Forever'.
2017: Noel headlines We Are Manchester
Although absent from One Love Manchester, Noel Gallagher headlined the 'We Are Manchester' charity show at the Manchester Arena. Noel became visibly overwhelmed during his performance of 'Don't Look Back In Anger' – which became an anthem in Manchester following the tragic event.
2017: An olive branch at Christmas
What with Christmas coming and it being the season of goodwill, Liam offers a fraternal greeting to his brother via Twitter.
2017: Noel Gallagher's performance on Jools Holland
An appearance by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds on 'Later With Jools Holland' becomes a huge talking point when band member Charlotte Marionneau snips a pair of scissors into a microphone during 'She Taught Me How To Fly'.
Liam joked after, "I'm looking for somebody to peel some spuds live on stage tnight at this gig in Bethnal Green," he writes on – where else? - Twitter. "Must have own peeler." sic] However his request is actually fulfilled... [testWatch the moment on YouTube.
Speaking to Absolute Radio's Frank Skinner, Noel Gallagher claims that he knew that the scissors would wind his brother up. Explaining how it came about, Noel then said, "I leaned into my bass player and said, 'Do you hear that sound?' and he went, 'What the scissors?' and I went, 'No, that's the sound of Liam glassing himself when he sees this!' "In Manchester, the night it aired, I was in the front seat of a car and when it stopped at the traffic lights, the car got surrounded by a load of geezers just going, 'Sciiiiiissooooors!'" testWatch him explain right here.
2018: Liam Gallagher is nominated for Best British Solo Artist at the BRIT Awards
After releasing his debut album 'As You Were' in October 2017, Liam was delighted to receive a nomination for Best British Solo Artist at the BRIT Awards 2018. Although he missed out to Stormzy, Liam did step in to perform 'Live Forever' as a tribute to the Manchester Arena victims, after Ariana Grande was forced to pull out due to illness.
2018: Liam reaches out to Noel and calls for an Oasis reunion
In July, he tweeted, 'Earth to noel listen up rkid I hear your doing gigs where people can't drink alcohol now that's the BeZarist thing you've done yet. I forgive you now let's get the BIG O back together and stop f--king about the drinks are on me LG.'
2019: Noel says Liam's tweets are 'a nail in the coffin' for Oasis reunion
In an interview with The Big Issue, testNoel addressed Liam's somewhat regular tweeting on the subject of an Oasis reunion. "It's strange behaviour for someone who is gagging for me to pick up the phone and say let's do it," Noel explained. "He'd put his whole life on hold to get Oasis back together but every tweet he sends out, it's another nail in the coffin of that idea."
Speaking to Liam directly, Noel added, "If you think for one minute, I am going to share a stage with you after what you've said you are more of a moron than you look." Liam, of course, wrote about the interview on Twitter.
2020: Liam says he plans to retire as solo artist after Noel 'begs' for Oasis reunion
In a less-than-shocking move, Liam wrote on Twitter in January that testNoel had 'begged' him for an Oasis reunion. However, testNoel shot down Liam's claims, saying, "RE: 'The Reunion', sadly I think the other fella must have been on the leftover Christmas Babycham. For the record, until anyone hears it from ME, it's not happening."
In February, Liam took to Twitter yet again, writing, 'We've been offered 100 million pounds for a tour still not enough for the greedy soul oh well stay young LG.'
2020: Noel takes the bait
Taking the bait, Noel issued his own tweet a day later, 'To whoever might be arsed: I am not aware of any offer from anybody for any amount of money to reform the legendary Mancunian Rock'n'Roll group Oasis. I am fully aware though that someone has a single to promote so that's maybe where the confusion lies.'
2020: Liam says an Oasis reunion is 'inevitable'
Despite everything that has gone before, Liam is staunchly optimistic about an Oasis reunion, telling NME in March, "The geezer's ego's out of control. Let me tell you this, the money has been offered and he knows about it. He's obviously gonna say no, because he'd like to be the person to break the news to people because he's the oracle, and obviously I'm his little brother who's doing well and I'm here to spoil the f--king party.
"It's gonna happen believe you me. It's gonna happen very f--king soon because he's greedy and he loves money and he knows that it's got to happen soon or it won't happen."
2020: Liam calls on Noel for an Oasis reunion to support NHS workers
testLiam Gallagher has urged Noel to reunite Oasis, in order to support the NHS. Since the start of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic lockdown measures in the UK, Liam has sent several tweets aimed at Noel Gallagher, testpleading to reunite the 90s legends. He later stated that the gig will happen 'with or without Noel'.
However, Noel has apparently stated that he thinks testmobile phones would taint a reunion, according to photographer Kevin Cummins who spoke to The Quietus. He's also discovered a testpreviously-unreleased song called 'Don't Stop', which was thought to be lost, and was recorded around 2005 at a sound check in Hong Kong.
2020: Liam claims Noel turned £100 million for an Oasis reunion
Appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show on Saturday 28th November, Liam alleged that testNoel had been offered £100 million to reunite Oasis, "I know for a fact there's nothing left on the table. We did have a good crack. We did everything. We didn't leave anything on the table. Like, nothing.
"When someone offers you 100 million pounds to do a few gigs and that man, you're going to go, 'Alright then yeah…' there was a lot of money knocking about. It was 100 million pounds to do a tour and that and I'm thinking, 'I'm not a d---head, know what I mean? I'll have a bit of that.' He's not into it is he? He's after a knighthood isn't he?
"You can ask him (about an Oasis reunion) next time. For (a) hundred million quid I'd do that..." he added, before cheekily saying, "Never say never."
2021: Liam once again takes to Twitter to confirm the band will get back together.
He's still banging the reunion drum. After a fan tweeted him to say: 'HEY LIAM,i need you to give me hope that oasis will come back please i'm 19 years old i want to live that concert, i HATE not being born earlier,' he replied with a definitive, 'It's gonna happen.'
2022: Blur's Graham Coxon wants to mediate
Former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon offered to help mediate an Oasis reunion in October 2022, which should raise a smile for fans of the Gallagher brothers as the bands were well known to be each others' nemesis back in the day. However, Graham was genuine in his offer, saying: "Knock those brothers' heads together."
2022: Liam accuses Noel of blocking Oasis songs in Knebworth film
Liam said in October that there would be no Oasis songs in his upcoming documentary film Knebworth 22 as Noel had allegedly blocked them. Asked by a fan if the Oasis tracks will feature, Liam replied: 'No oasis songs as the angry squirt has blocked them he also blocked the oasis I sang for Taylor Hawkins tribute he's a horrible little man.'
2023: AI generates "lost Oasis songs"
AISIS created an eight-track album called 'The Lost Tapes Vol.1' using the latest AI technology in response to fans' ongoing wait for an Oasis reunion. Hastings band Breezer wrote the music/lyrics and recorded for the album, however AI was used to replace the singer's voice with Liam Gallagher's trademark rock n' roll drawl.
Unsurprisingly, Liam was asked about AISIS' 'The Lost Tapes Vol.1' and he was highly complimentary about it. When asked 'What about AISIS, Liam?', the singer responded: "Mad as f---, I sound mega!" Another fan asked if he'd heard the whole record, and he replied: "Not the album heard a tune it's better than all the other snizzle out there."
2024: Liam responds to Andy Bell's reunion comments
In April 2024, Liam took to Twitter to respond to comments made by former Oasis bassist Andy Bell, who played with the band for a decade. Asked about the possibility of a reunion in an interview, Andy said: "Yeah, they probably will. I think yeah, they probably will do it. I don't think it looks likely right now, but life is long, isn't it?" He then commented on how the Stone roses reunited despite there seemingly being 'bad blood' between members.
Liam, however, took to Twitter to respond to Andy, telling him he should 'really not be getting people's hopes up'.
2024: Liam is "ready to reunite" with Noel
Liam responded to increasing speculation around an Oasis reunion after a series of cryptic posts on the official Oasis social media channels. When a follower asked what the series of videos allude to, Liam responded: 'God knows someone must be selling something,' also explaining that he'd deleted an earlier post about the Oasis reunion as it could have been construed as 'misleading.' However, despite effectively quashing the rumours, when asked if he's ready to reunite with his brother Noel, he simply answered: 'Yep.'
However, the cryptic posts were later revealed to be confirming a 30th anniversary reissue of the band's debut album, 'Definitely Maybe'. All 16 tracks on the bonus discs have been newly mixed for the 30th anniversary re-release by Noel Gallagher and Callum Marinho.
2024: A reunion is officially announced
Following a cryptic post suggesting an announcement was on the way, 27th August 2024 saw the long-awaited announcement that Oasis are officially getting back together. The band's official social media channels shared a throwback video, showing footage of Oasis' gargantuan gigs over the years, while revealing numerous tour dates for summer 2025.
Another post shared an official PR image of the Gallagher brothers, teasing: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.'
Are Oasis vegan?
Judging by Noel Gallagher’s comments on veganism, we can safely assume not. Speaking with the Manchester Evening News, he said: “Vegans, what’s the point? It’s like, no animal products at all. These products would literally have f------ animals roaming around the world. Cows everywhere in the streets, sheep in the phone boxes.”
However, we’ve heard through the grapevine that Noel does make a rather tasty soup. And you get a roll with it.
WATCH: Liam Gallagher - His best interview ever?
Oasis 25th anniversary
In September 2021, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Oasis's two record breaking concerts at Knebworth Park in August 1996, a new concert documentary film, combining new interviews, previously unreleased archival footage, and live concert footage from both nights, titled Oasis Knebworth 1996, was released in cinemas.
The release of the film marked the first time that concert footage from the two gigs has ever been released.
The accompanying live album 'Knebworth 1996' has since been certified Gold.
Oasis in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Oasis were nominated for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the Class of 2024 in February 2024, alongside the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Jane’s Addiction, and Lenny Kravitz.
However, Liam wasn't particularly enthralled by the news - taking to social media to lambast the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just days after his former band were nominated.
Hear the biggest hits from Oasis on Absolute Radio. Listen to Absolute Radio now.
Now read:
Noel Gallagher: Everything you need to know about the Oasis legend
Liam Gallagher: From Oasis to Beady Eye to solo megastar
Liam and Noel Gallagher: Will an Oasis reunion happen?