After 16 years of anticipation, speculation, and brotherly feuds, Oasis made a spectacular return to the stage Friday night at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, per rollingstone.com. The long-awaited reunion of Liam and Noel Gallagher kicked off with a palpable sense of joy and reconciliation, as the iconic duo strode out hand-in-hand, a moment that sent a roar through the crowd of devoted fans.
“It’s good to be back,” Liam crooned, opening the momentous gig with “Hello.” The atmosphere in Cardiff had been buzzing for over 24 hours, transforming the Welsh capital into a festival-like hub reminiscent of an FA Cup Final. Merch pop-ups, murals crafted from bucket hats, and an unyielding current of excitement permeated the city streets, all converging on the centrally located Principality Stadium. The venue’s retractable roof, closed for the night, created an unexpectedly intimate arena feel despite the massive scale.
By 8pm, a fervent energy consumed the stadium as Oasis launched into a setlist that felt both nostalgic and overwhelmingly current. Questions about the band’s lineup and rumoured rehearsals melted away as the ear-splitting singalongs began. The band sounded “absolutely biblical,” tearing through an arsenal of generation-defining hits including “Acquiesce,” “Morning Glory,” “Supersonic” and “Cigarettes & Alcohol” within the first half-hour. Noel’s mid-set delivery of “Half the World Away” and “Little By Little” surprisingly garnered some of the night’s biggest singalongs, while Liam’s impassioned renditions of “Slide Away” and “Whatever” resonated deeply. A poignant moment arrived with the on-screen tribute to late Liverpool striker Diogo Jota during “Live Forever.”
The much-publicised drama surrounding their 2009 split and the subsequent 16 years of solo projects and verbal sparring faded into the background. As Liam wryly put it before closing with “Champagne Supernova,” “We’re hard work, I know.” Yet, on this night, the focus was solely on the music. The brothers slipped back into their familiar roles – Liam, the rabble-rouser, and Noel, his composed counterpart – delivering a superb performance backed by a band in top form. The symbolic arm-raising at the start was beautifully bookended by a gingerly embraced hug at the end, confirming that for one night, British music’s greatest sitcom was on a joyous, harmonious pause. The tunes, truly, did all the talking, reminding everyone why these anthems have transcended generations.
- Featured image: Liam Gallagher on stage Friday/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
