Fifteen years after disbanding in chaos, record-breaking Britpop band Oasis are seemingly on the verge of a reunion.
The band, fronted by Mancunian brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, have teased an announcement at 8am on Tuesday 27 August, which is widely expected to herald a reunion.
Known for hits such as “Wonderwall”, “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Champagne Supernova”, Oasis split up in 2009 following a backstage fracas at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.
Since then, the Gallagher brothers have been estranged, and a reunion long seemed unlikely. Both Liam and Noel have continued to release music with their own projects, Beady Eye and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
However, in recent months, there have been a number of hints that a comeback could be on the cards, with Liam’s Sunday set at Reading Festival convincing many fans that a reunion is imminent.
On Sunday night, both the Gallagher brothers and the band’s official Instagram account then shared a message bearing the date 27 August, and the time 8am.
See below for the latest updates on the prospective Oasis reunion...
Key points
23:15
Kevin Perry
Liam Gallagher headlined Reading festival yesterday, playing Oasis’ classic 1994 debut album Definitely Maybe in full.
Our correspondent Mark Beaumont was there to witness it, writing: “As a clacker-clock on the screens clicks down from 2024 to 1994, Liam Gallagher appears on a stage bedecked with gigantic renditions of objects from the Definitely Maybe sleeve – a hanging globe, a Bacharach portrait, two giant flamingos. ‘Liam vibes in the house, Bonehead vibes in the house,’ he says, pointing out the presence of Oasis guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs on guitar as ‘Rock’n’Roll Star’ begins its traditional hurtle towards greatness. The punkish set that follows – comprising all of the debut album plus a mid-set selection of B-sides and one-off singles – is a dream of a Gallagher show, delivered with just the right frisson of brittle bolshiness, and, after his years of online badgering and button-pushing for an Oasis reunion, a certain satisfied relish. An air of a great reward finally earned.”
Read the full review here:
22:14
Kevin Perry
As anticipation mounts for tomorrow’s announcement, here’s our music editor Roisin O'Connor on why the hype is fully justified: “But no other rock band of their time really compares when it comes to that narrative arc: the humble origins, the difficult childhoods then the rise to global fame. The partying, the excess. Then the Romulus and Remus-level fallout of 2009, when Liam squared off with his brother in a backstage room at Rock en Seine festival in Paris, wielding Noel’s guitar “like an axe”. And now, it seems, the reconciliation.”
Read more here:
21:00
Kevin Perry
Should Oasis fans be careful what they wish for? Here’s something from earlier this year – a deep-dive into Oasis’s infamous 2004 Glastonbury set.
20:00
Louis Chilton
Just a few weeks ago, Liam Gallagher’s son weighed in on the prospect of a reunion – sparking hopes that something could be in the works.
Gene Gallagher, also a musician, said: “I get the feeling my dad wants it, too. Let’s hope it happens. It’s easier to speak about after a couple of pints.”
Read more:
19:00
Louis Chilton
While nothing has yet been confirmed about the rumoured reunion, insiders have already been speculating about the details, including what venues Oasis might play, and how much tickets could cost.
Could a Glastonbury headline set be on the cards? It’s certainly possible.
Here’s everything we know about the rumours:
18:00
Louis Chilton
Another cryptic hint from Liam Gallagher, shared on Sunday morning. Not “former” for much longer?
I never did like that word FORMER
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) August 25, 2024
17:00
Louis Chilton
Why is everyone so sure that there’s going to be a reunion announced?
Well, just look at the evidence...
16:00
Louis Chilton
Suffice it to say the Oasis fans are loving what’s happening at the moment.
“This is what the UK needs to hear right now,” one fan wrote. “If true, what an immense, welcome, and needed comeback.”
“This is the first moment in 15 years when I actually think it’s gonna happen,” another said.
Read more:
15:00
Louis Chilton
Critic Mark Beaumont was at Reading Festival, here’s what he had to say:
Sunday at Reading 2024 may go down in history for an unusual first: the only headliner in the festival’s near 70 years who threatens to upstage themselves. On the day that Liam Gallagher arrives to play all of Oasis’s debut album Definitely Maybe in the week of its 30th anniversary, the atmosphere is feverish with rumour that the band are imminently due to announce a reunion.
The mooted comeback is speculated to be a huge run of 2025 reunion shows in London and Manchester, gigs that couldn’t be more hotly anticipated if The Smiths were supporting. Twitter word is that every Premier Inn in London has already been booked out for most of next August, and the buzz on site is just as much for presale details as for Liam’s (somewhat second-best, in the circumstances) show itself.
Read the full review here:
14:25
Louis Chilton
Talk of a reunion has been swirling in the air for months now, but it was last night at Reading Festival that things really started heating up.
During Liam’s headline set, he dedicated “Half The World Away” to his brother, and later dedicated their hit “Cigarettes & Alcohol” to people who “hate” Oasis.
Read more...
13:56
Louis Chilton
Hello, and welcome to The Independent’s Oasis liveblog, where we’ll be bringing you updates as and when they arrive about the widely tipped reunion.
To kick things off, here’s Mark Beaumont arguing why now is in fact the perfect time for the Gallagher brothers to get back together...