British rock band Oasis reunite in Cardiff to thrill fans
Liam Gallagher and Gem Archer of Oasis perform during the first of their sellout comeback shows at the Cardiff Principality Stadium on July 4.
CARDIFF - British rock band Oasis reunited in Cardiff on July 4 as the Gallagher brothers put more than 16 years of acrimony behind them to deliver a hit-paced set that took thousands of fans back to the optimism and swagger of the 1990s.
The Manchester band defined the 'Britpop' revival of guitar music, before tensions between Noel Gallagher, the band's main songwriter, and his younger brother, lead singer Liam, led to its demise.
The group walked onto the stage in the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium and launched into Hello, sounding as tight as at the height of their fame.
Interaction with the audience was minimal during the two-hour show. Interaction between the brothers was nonexistent until a very brief hug at the end.
The crowd, largely comprising middle-aged fans revisiting their youth, sang along to hits including Cigarettes & Alcohol and Roll With It. At the end of Live Forever, a picture of Liverpool and Portugal footballer Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car accident on July 3, was shown on the screens behind the band.
Oasis ended with Don't Look Back in Anger, Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova, all from their second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, the biggest-selling record in Britain in the 1990s.
'Thank you for putting up with us over the years,' Liam said. The band had announced the shows nearly a year ago, setting off a frenzy for tickets.
'The thing that makes the Oasis reunion special is the thing that makes any reunion special: It has to be something that people really want and something that people thought they'd never see. And Oasis ticks both those boxes,' music journalist Mark Sutherland told Reuters.
Fans started to gather early outside the stadium, where official Adidas-Oasis football shirts were on sale for £85 (S$148).
'They're more than a band, it's almost like a movement,' said Mr Matt Hobman, 48. 'It's like a piece of Britishness.'
The Gallaghers were joined by original member Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, as well as Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Joey Waronker on stage.
Many fans waited for hours in online queues to buy tickets last year, only to find prices had jumped when they eventually had a chance to get them.
Britain's competition watchdog launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over the sale, including the use of 'dynamic pricing' to hike the cost to fans at the last minute.
Those waiting for the gates to open had put any concerns about ticket prices far behind them.
After playing two shows in Cardiff, the Oasis Live '25 tour will continue in the Gallaghers' home city of Manchester.
It continues in Britain and Ireland, followed by shows across North and South America, Asia and Australia. REUTERS
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