Who are the Gallagher brothers and why is the Oasis reunion so historic?
The start of Oasis
Oasis first formed as a band in 1991 in Manchester.
Liam Gallagher, from Burnage, was the vocalist, Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs was on guitar, Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan was on bass, and Tony McCarroll on drums.
Originally called The Rain, Liam suggested they change their name to Oasis after spotting an Inspiral Carpets tour poster in the childhood bedroom he shared with his brother Noel, which listed the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, Wiltshire, as a venue.
Oasis played their first gig, at the bottom of the bill, on 14 August 1991 at the Boardwalk club in Manchester.
After returning from touring as roadie for Inspiral Carpets, Noel, Liam's older brother, agreed to join the band and become the band's main songwriter.
When were they spotted?
In May 1993 Oasis were spotted by Creation Records co-owner Alan McGee.
They were invited to play a gig at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut club in Glasgow by Sister Lovers, who shared their rehearsal rooms, but when they arrived they were refused entry as they weren't on the set list.
When they eventually entered the club they were given the opening slot, impressing McGee - who was there to see Sister Lovers whose member Debbie Turner was a close friend.
He offered them a recoding contract, but they did not sign until several months later.
Due to problems securing an American contract, Oasis signed a worldwide contract with Sony, which in turn licensed Oasis to Creation in the UK.
Oasis's debut album, Definitely Maybe, was released on 29 August 1994, entering the UK Albums Chart at number one within a week of its release, making it, at the time, the fastest selling debut album in the UK.
Why are Oasis so important?
Oasis are the rock band that helped form the so-called Britpop sound in the 1990s.
From the early 90s Oasis recorded timeless songs across their eight albums; they defined a generation and continue to influence musicians with songs like Live Forever, Wonderwall, Don't Look Back In Anger and Rock 'N' Roll Star.
Oasis have sold more than 70 million albums, and picked up more than 30 awards from the Brits, MTV, NME and Q.
The band recorded Britain's fastest-selling debut album, soon followed by Britain's fastest-selling album and have a place in the Guinness Book Of Records for scoring 22 consecutive Top Ten singles.
Why did the band split?
'The guns have fallen silent': What's the story behind the Oasis rift?
The relationship between the Gallagher brothers has always been tumultuous.
In 1996, just days after performing their biggest-ever gig at Knebworth, Liam pulled out of a recording for MTV Unplugged, claiming he had a sore throat.
He then sat and watched the band perform from the balcony and heckled Noel in between songs.
A US tour followed days after, but Liam initially refused to go, forcing Noel to perform with him.
When Liam did eventually turn up for the tour, he taunted his brother on stage. Noel decided to fly home early and the remaining tour dates were cancelled.
In August 2009, Oasis cancelled their gig at V Festival, saying Liam was too ill to perform.
A few days later, the band had been due to perform at Paris festival Rock en Seine.
Before the gig, an announcement was made informing the crowd that Oasis would not be playing.
A notice on the big screens at either side of the main stage showed the message: "As a result of an altercation within the band, the Oasis gig has been cancelled".
A statement from Noel appeared on the band's official website hours later, marking the end of Oasis.
He told fans: "It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that 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."
...and then reform?
Reunion rumours intensified in 2024 amid the apparent thawing in the feud between the brothers.
They confirmed in August 2024 that the Oasis Live 25 tour would go ahead, saying: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.'
What to expect from the reunion tour?
Cast will be the opening act for Oasis, followed by Richard Ashcroft, the former lead singer of The Verve.
The Gallaghers will be joined by original Oasis band member Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, as well as Gem Archer and Andy Bell who both joined the band in 1999 and were part of the line-up until the 2009 split
The much anticipated set list is still under wraps, but is expected to include all the fans favourites.
The band's co-manager Alec McKinlay told Music Week: "This is very much the last time around, as Noel's made clear in the press.
"It's a chance for fans who haven't seen the band to see them, or at least for some of them to. But no, there's no plan for any new music."
Where and when are Oasis performing?
Principality Stadium, Cardiff - 4, 5 July
Heaton Park, Manchester - 11, 12, 16, 19, 20 July
Wembley Stadium, London - 25, 26, 30 July, 2, 3 August, and 27, 28 September
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh - 8, 9, 12 August
Croke Park, Dublin - 16, 17 August
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