Because We Need Each Other
So we now know that Oasis will be taking to the stage together this summer. For the first name in over sixteen years.
After that faithful night in Paris in 2009, Oasis fans have been through a lot. Solo albums, benefit gigs, insults, Knebworth returns, and a whole host of other things.
In this post I'm going to attempt to write a timeline of key events in the road to reunion.
The City of Love.
By summer 2009 many thought that the writing was on the all for Oasis. They seemed constantly on the brink of implosion.
They played a tense but surprisingly solid final show at the now-defunct V Festival in Staffordshire, and never made their second headline concert in Chelmsford the following night, after Liam was diagnosed with viral laryngitis.
Noel dismissed this as a 'hangover'. He also disapproved of Liam’s attempts to aggressively promote his clothing brand, Pretty Green, to Oasis fans. Liam had wanted to advertise the clothing in the Oasis tour programe, Noel refused.
Following the V Festival pull out, the band headed to Europe. To play the last three dates on that tour. Three more festivals in Europe, they would not finish the tour.
Noel and Liam had an altercation at the Rock en Seine Festival in Paris. The brothers had argued before, but this one was the straw that broke the camels back.
Here's Noels versions of events on that night in Paris.
“He goes out the dressing room, for whatever reason, he went to his own dressing room, and he came back with a guitar, and he started wielding it like an axe, and I’m not fucking kidding,” “And I’m making light of it because it’s kind of what I do, but it was a real unnecessary violent act, and he’s swinging this guitar around; he nearly took my face off with it”.
“And it ended up on the floor, and I put it out of its misery. And then I said, well look, I mean, there were people who were in the band, looking the other way; it wasn’t even a big dressing room. And I was like, you know what? I’m fucking out of here. And at that point, someone came in and said five minutes!… I kind of got in the car, and I sat there for five minutes, and I just said fuck it, I can’t do it anymore”.
Following the fight, Noel released a statement to Oasis fans. Which read.
“It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight,” he wrote. “People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.”
It was all over. Oasis was done.
On 16 February 2010, Oasis won Best British Album of the Last 30 Years for "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" at the 2010 Brit Awards Liam collected the award alone before presenting his speech, which thanked Bonehead, McGuigan and Alan White but not Noel, and throwing his microphone and the band's award into the crowd.
"Time Flies... 1994–2009", a compilation of singles, was released on 14 June 2010. It became the band's final album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart.
The New Bands...
Following the splits, both brothers went their seperate ways. Liam continued with the remaining members of Oasis. Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Chris Sharrock and formed 'Beady Eye'. Whilst Noel focused on a solo career under the name 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds'
At the time, many thought this would be a little break. Noel had left the band before. This time was different though. I don't think anybody could have predicted how long the brothers would be apart.
Beady Eye and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds would release albums in 2011. Their first work away from Oasis.
Noel's album topped the chart and sold 820,000 copies, and featured the singles "If I had a Gun", "AKA What a Life", "Everybody's on the Run".
Beady Eye released "Different Gear, Still Speeding" in the same year with the album receiving mixed reviews. However fans had Liam and Noel making music again albeit, not under the Oasis mantle. Following this would be the bands second album, 'BE' which was released in 2013. Which saw the band tour again, and play at Glastonbury and a tribute night for the Charlatans former drummer 'Jon Brookes'.
A year or so later Liam took to social media to announce the break up of Beady Eye. Archer and Sharrock joined Noel's band, High Flying Birds, and Bell returned to his original band, Ride.
Noel meanwhile continued to release new music, in 2015 he would release his second solo record "Chasing Yesterday" which featured the singles "Riverman" and "Ballad of the Mighty I. Fans were impressed with Noel's songwritng as were critics. At a time where Liam was struggling, Noel was thriving.
He and his band now backed up by Beady Eye members were headlining festivals and playing arenas. The tour to support this album, was one of Noels biggest, which took him all over the world.
On this tour, Noel played one of the songs from "Chasing Yesterday" and each night dedicated it to every Oasis fan in the room, that song was "You Know We Can't Go Back". The idea of an Oasis reunion did not appeal to him at all.
The Documentary
In 2016 the brothers worked together, on a documentary titled "Supersonic". It documented the band during their formative years, culminating in the band headlining Knebworth in 1996. The film featured archive footage and off screen interviews of members of the band, and people surrounding the band at the time.
Many thought that this would act as an olive branch in the reunion story. However that was not to be. The brothers interviews were conducted separately.
Despite not being the olive branch many thought it would be. The film sparked more and more interest in Oasis. A whole new generation of fans were exposed to the brothers Gallagher, a new younger generation who were children when the band broke up. Myself included. This film is one of the biggest catalysts in the resurgence of Oasis.
The Return
After the breakup of Beady Eye in 2014, on the music front at least Liam Gallagher had been very very quiet. However, his story wasn't finished. In 2017 Liam dropped his first solo track "Wall of Glass". He would also do his first gig as a solo artist in June 2017. A small intimate gig at Manchester's O2 Ritz with all proceeds going to victims of the Manchester terror attack.
On 4 June 2017, Gallagher made a surprise appearance at the One Love Manchester benefit concert, where he played "Rock 'N' Roll Star", "Wall of Glass", and "Live Forever" alongside Coldplay's Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland. Many thought this was the concert where the brothers would reunite. However, Noel was not present in Manchester that night. He had been donating money to the victims of the attack, but many including myself thought that he would take to the stage that night.
His debut solo album was released in October 2017, and it was a critical and commercial success. The album debuted at number one in the UK, outselling the rest of the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart combined and achieving gold certification in its first week. It has since been certified platinum in the UK. It also achieved the highest single-week vinyl sales in 20 years, with 16,000.
Liam was back, and he wasn't messing around. The tour to support As You Were saw Liam head back into arenas, and sell them out. This solo career was off to a good start.
On 23 October, Gallagher announced that he would be doing a one-off concert in Finsbury Park on 29 June 2018. The gig sold out within minutes of tickets being announced. Subsequently, it was announced that there would be a concert at Emirates Lancashire Cricket Club in Manchester on 18 August 2018. It was also confirmed that Gallagher would be a headline act at the TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow Green on 30 June 2018, and that he would be a headline act at the 2018 Isle of Wight Festival
In Half
Noel would also release a record in 2017. His third solo album "Who Built the Moon" an album that saw Noel divide fans. This was a very different record to what he had done before, describing himself as "Cosmic Pop".
Critics loved it, and the record was widely praised for its psychedelic experimentation and progression from the band's previous albums.
However, fans were more unsure this record. This was a radical left turn, and with songs like "Holy Mountain" and "Fort Knox" being the albums lead singles, it was almost as if Noel wanted to divide the fan base.
It wasn't just the fans Noel was aiming to wind up though. This album saw him introduce new members to his band. Including Charlotte Marionneau, who the world was introduced to on Jools Holland. Alongside singing backing vocals, Charlotte would play a rather unique instrument. The scissors.
People were shocked including Liam, who tweeted. that he had “somebody sharpening a pencil” in his band.
Noel got what he wanted though. Commenting in an interview with Clint Boon. "When she pulled them out in rehearsals I said to my bass player: 'If that isn't the greatest thing I've ever seen I don't know what is.'
"He said: 'Your kid's going to glass himself', and I thought you know what? Even for that it's going to be worth it."
Liam would do a gig for Absolute Radio, and a fan took a potato and a potato peeler into the venue with them. In reference to Liam's joke where he would refer to Noel as a potato. It was quite jovial and light.
The brothers always bickered, and argued through the use of social media and in interviews. However in 2017, some of the things that were said got quite dark.
The Comments
As I have mentioned the brothers constantly threw insults at each other. Liam would refer to Noel as a potato, a little fart, a sad little dwarf. Amongst others.
Noel famously called Liam, "a man with a fork in a world full of soup".
It's all jovial but remember I mentioned 2017.
Well just before the release of "Who Built the Moon". On 9 September 2017, the band served as the headline act of "We Are Manchester", a benefit concert to mark the reopening of Manchester Arena, following a terrorist attack there in May.
At that gig, a photograph was taken of Noel on stage, and Noel appears to be wiping his eyes. Gripped by the emotion of the evening, and the fact he was asked to play the arena.
Liam tweeted this just after the set.
For many this was a moment where we realised, we were as far away from an Oasis reunion than ever before.
It was a rather dark moment in the brothers history. Liam has since commented that his account was hacked, and whilst that may be true. The significance of the event and the words written cannot be underestimated.
More of the Same, Or Was It
Both Brothers continued solo careers, into the late 2010s and into the 2020s. Noel who had dominated for a number of years, felt the effects of "Who Built the Moon" and the EP's that followed it. He had explored a new direction, some loved it. Others did not.
It was a mixed bag. Noel would release a best of record in 2021. titled Back the Way We Came: Vol. 1 (2011–2021). The album is a double release, which along with 16 previously released tracks, features two new songs; "We're on Our Way Now" and "Flying on the Ground".
Following the release of the compilation, Gallagher began work on the next High Flying Birds album, releasing two demos of songs to come to celebrate each new year during the heights of the pandemic. The songs were "We're Gonna Get There in the End" (31 December 2020) and "Trying to Find a World That's Been and Gone, Part One" (1 January 2022).
The band would also play a number of sell out shows, including Glastonbury in 2022.
Noel would release his fourth solo album in 2023. The first record Gallagher recorded in his own studio Lone Star Studios. It was also a return to a more traditional sound after an experimental few years.
It saw Noel look back and be reflective with his songwriting. In terms of structure and sound, he also looked back to a more traditional style that fans are familiar with. It’s the Noel we know and love. With huge choruses, nods to Oasis with songs like “Easy Now” and beautiful ballads that we know Noel can deliver, yet still with the twists and turns Noel throws in. “Dead to the World” being a prime example, it's one of the most ambitious things Noel has ever written.
It's some of the elder Gallagher's best work since Oasis. An album inspired by his youth in Manchester, his love of The Cure, and getting the acoustic guitar back out of the case. Hopeful and nostalgic, reminding us just how good of a songwriter Noel is.
Liam meanwhile would release two more solo albums "Why Me Why Not" and "C'Mon You Know".
"Why Me, Why Not", using the same formula that worked so well on "As You Were" to great effect. The album included some of Liam's most beloved solo tracks, such as "Once" and "One of Us". It showed a more introspective Liam, one who had let his ego settle a little, and it made for a fantastic listen. The venues got bigger and Liam moved up Festival bills. Headling TRNSMT and playing at Glastonbury in 2019 underneath The Killers.
Liam in between his two studio albums released his MTV Unplugged performance as his first live album, MTV Unplugged (Live At Hull City Hall), containing 10 of the 17 songs played. It was released on 12 June 2020 and debuted at number one on the UK charts upon its release, becoming Gallagher's third UK no.1 album as a solo artist
On 1 October 2021, Gallagher announced that he would be releasing a third solo album, titled "C'mon You Know," on 27 May 2022. Gallagher performed at Knebworth Park on 3 and 4 June 2022, nearly 26 years after he performed there with Oasis. On 11 October, Gallagher announced that he would also perform at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on 1 June and Hampden Park in Glasgow on 26 June 2022.
Liam whilst Noel was on the decline, was on the up. He sold out those venues with ease. For many this was the closest people were getting to an Oasis reunion. The younger Gallagher is firmly the spirit of Oasis. He was giving people who were too young first time around to see a version of that.
On 16 October 2023, Liam announced that he would do a tour to mark the thirtieth anniversary of "Definitely Maybe" in June 2024 where he would perform the album in its entirety alongside some of B-sides from the album's singles. Many had speculated that Oasis may do something to celebrate these gigs. In Febuary 2024 Liam confirmed that Noel had been asked to do the tour but had turned down the offer. Stating
“I did call him! Well, my people called Noel’s management team,” claimed Liam. “We put an offer on the table for an Oasis thing – because we got offered it – and he said no. It was a big tour, a lot of money. He turned it down. I get it, he’s got a divorce going down. I’ll do the ‘Definitely Maybe’ thing and have a nice time without him.”
Also in 2024 Liam would work alongside ex Stone Roses guitarist to work on the album "Liam Gallagher & John Squire", which was released on 1 March 2024. Which featured the singles "Just Another Rainbow" and "Mars to Liverpool".
It's Good to Be Back.
Things started to feel different in 2023, Noel seemed more receptive to a reunion. Commenting in interviews that Liam should call him.
First on French Radio, and then on TalkSport doubling down on the offer.
Liam, was apprehensive at first stating Noel should call him. His argument was that Noel broke up the band. At the time many thought the elder Gallagher was calling Liam's bluff. Liam had been asking for a reunion for years and years. Building hopes for fans, and setting out a number of ground rules for it.
In the interview with TalkSport. Noel called Liam a coward and said hw wouldn't pick up the phone which led Liam to tweet this.
Noel called Liam out again in a further interview, and dared his younger brother to pick up the phone. In order to get something arranged.
Which led Liam to tweet this.
A call did happen.
In subsequent months. After this flurry of action in the summer of 2023. Things went quiet. Noel finished up his tour, Liam got ready for the LGDM tour.
That was that.
August 2024. Things really heated up Liam took to the stage to play at Reading & Leeds on Friday August 24th 2024 but before the gig. Liam took to twitter.
Fans were speculating an announcement related to Oasis, on the fifteenth anniversary of the bands breakup in Paris. With heavy rumours of a reunion.
We've heard rumours before. But this one felt different, on Saturday 25th it felt like a bit of a stretch but by Sunday 26th more and more details had begun to emerge.
Potential venues, talks about Wembley Stadium and Heaton Park. Promoters bidding to get the tour A Glastonbury headline slot. Suddenly things felt more real.
More and more came out throughout the day (August 25th 2024) fans speculated that Liam would announce something in his headline set at Reading. Some even believed Noel Gallagher had been seen backstage, at the festival. This all happened yesterday afternoon. Fans were running through all potential scenarios in their heads. Wondering what would happen next.
On August 26th fans were given a short snippet. First in Manchester following the huge Blossoms gig at Wythenshawe Park, and the second in Reading. After Liam's headline slot.
A cryptic image with a date, and a time.
8am arrived on the 27th and fans were braced to hear the news. News that for years seemed impossible. After 15 years away, Oasis were back.
30 years since the release of their debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’ and 15 years since that famous night in Paris.
A tour for 2025 was announced. Following the release of a picture. With Noel and Liam stood together.
Something many thought would never happen, happened.
For those of us who didn’t see them first time round, I feel as if this will be a mile stone gig. Being on social media over the last couple of days. Hearing people discuss just what Oasis mean to them. Being in the field in Manchester on the 26th as the teaser was played. The roar afterwards was unbelievable. Oasis have been a huge part of my life, I’ve seen both of the brothers separately but Oasis is always the thing that we never got to see.
Britain never had a band like Oasis before and they’ve not had one since. The impact that band had and continue to have is staggering. They have crossed generations, broken down barriers. I was nine when they broke up, and yet they still mean so much to me and to millions of others.
This reunion is the biggest music news of the last fifteen years. It's huge.
Part of me still can't quite believe it's happening.
Jack x