So, Oasis are back in what is undoubtedly the most longed-for rock reunion of all time. I make no apologies for ‘most longed for’…Nobody really wanted The Beatles ‘reunions’ in whatever shape they took, such was the majesty of their back catalogue (if ever the phrase ‘back catalogue’ doesn’t seem appropriate for a band… the complete works perhaps?)
Led Zeppelin’s and Cream’s reunions were all a bit niche, The Stone Roses was a flash in the pan and Smiths fans will always be divided over the ‘should they shouldn’t they question.
I’ve no doubt music fans can reel off numerous other ‘reunions’ but just look at the sheer scale of this Oasis reunion, not just in terms of bums on seats/feet in fields but the very nature of those bums and feet.
From fifty-something StoneIsland-clad bucket-hat dads to teenage girls starting their first band inspired by the likes of Megan Wyn or Dirty Blonde, they will all be there united in adoration and almost disbelief at the spectacle. But should they be? With the UK grassroots music scene so healthy in terms of talent, arguably healthier than it has ever been, should today’s teenagers and young twenty-somethings really be getting so excited about Oasis? Should forty and fifty-somethings be paying £280 for a hospitality package at Heaton Park when £9 gets you Spin Klass at Manchester Deaf Institute or £60 gets you a weekend pass for This Feeling By The Sea with its staggering line-up including The Royston Club, The Rosadocs, The Sheratons, The K’s, Seb Lowe, The Clause, The Kairos, Casino, The Slates and Dirty Blonde amongst others?
I thought I’d ask a few bands for their views. I was taken aback at the reverie shown. Even where there was some scepticism about the motivation behind the reunion, it’s accompanied by sheer delight at the thought of the whole thing… so here you go, the view from a whole host of bands and artists, from Apostles to The Zangwills (ok it’s not a full A to Z and it’s certainly not in any type of order, let alone alphabetical)
Andrew Cushin
“It’s a really special thing… something no one expected which makes it all the more magic.. I’m expecting to see a lot more fifty-year-olds in bucket hats down the pub which is always funny.”
Ben Coles, Wull
“Proper made up about the Oasis reunion, I grew up on them as my parents are big fans and they’re adamant to this day that when my mum went into hospital going into labour with me ‘Stand By Me’ was on the radio, during the birth it was on the radio and on the journey home as well. All three times purely coincidental but think since then Oasis has very much been the soundtrack to my life.”
Jacob Peck, Hungry
“I’d say it’s a crazy thing to see happening, but depressing to see the amount of media attention it has garnered while the country forgets the live music heritage of the UK the rest of the time. I’d be completely behind MTV pointing to all the venues that have been closed, an issue which is overlooked. Would be great to see this much energy and excitement funnelling down to grassroots music. Not that I’m a fan of trickle-down economics…”
Megan Wyn
“I’m absolutely buzzing that Oasis are back together and so is the rest of the UK it looks like! Although I’m ecstatic they’re back, I’m absolutely dreading trying to get tickets. It’s going to be harder than getting Glastonbury tickets…. Bring it on!”
The GuestList
“Oasis to us are proof that if you write great music, there’s nothing to stop you taking the world on. It will be a real privilege to see them together on stage again, and something that we will carry with us into our own shows, and into the studio moving forward.”
The Howlers
“We were too young to be there first time around, to experience what it meant to working class people like us in that moment at that time, I’m not going to babble on and say there our biggest inspiration, because there not, but there authenticity and fearlessness to be who they were unapologetically, that is what Oasis means to us”
Gondolas
“We think it’s great that one of the biggest British rock acts is back, making headlines and playing huge shows. Having so many eyes on guitar music in a mainstream setting is gonna be great for all up-and-coming bands!”
Muddy Elephant
“The announcement of Oasis reuniting and planning a 2025 tour is monumental for the music world, reigniting the spirit of Britpop and offering bands and fans alike a resurgence of one of the most iconic influences in rock history. This comeback not only brings nostalgia but also sets the stage for a new wave of inspiration in the music industry.”
Lissy Taylor
“One of my earliest memories was looking at an Oasis poster in a bedroom thinking about how cool it must have been to experience. It was that same feeling which led to me learn guitar and start my own band. Supporting Noel Gallagher this summer at YNOT Festival was a dream come true, to be mentioned in an article by the NME about potential supports for Oasis just feels incredible for this girl from Stoke.”
Keelan Graney, The Rosadocs
“Oasis were monolithic. Icons of the music, fashion and culture scene. They changed everything for bands around the world. They became the pinnacle of what working-class lads starting bands could hope to achieve, including ourselves. The public reaction to the reunification of the Gallagher brothers and Oasis just reiterates the power of music and for an upcoming band like ourselves, personifies the strength of community that it can create. We write music influenced by many incredible acts from over the years but no one can underestimate the legacy that Oasis hold to this day and the integral part they still play in the music scene.”
Barstaff
“We’re buzzing to hear about the Oasis reunion. It’s incredible to see how it’s bringing together people from all generations and backgrounds to celebrate a legendary band that’s had a huge influence on the music scene over the past 30 years.”
Spin Klass
“It’s always great to have guitar bands back, and anything that gives people a buzz is alright by me. It does start the debate on how things like this can help up-and-coming bands though. Hopefully it’s not just the same five SJM acts on each bill and it’s opened up to some more of the exciting bands coming through at the moment.
It was great to see bands like The Ks and Seb Lowe over the weekend smashing it with Blossoms, give some of these up-and-coming bands the chance. Then there’s ticket prices, we, along with most of Manchesters up and coming bands struggle to sell tickets for £9 as people like to leave it till the last minute, it’d be great if people bought a nine quid ticket to help out the next generation of music as quick as they remortgage their gaff on Oasis tickets.”
Tom Collins
“Oasis blew me away the first time I heard them when I was about ten years old. Whether people like them or not, they have been a revolutionary band to the music industry and it’s clear how much of an impact they have on the people. This is some milestone to have them back, and I can’t wait”
The Clause
“Oasis getting back together is huge for guitar music. The fact that a band can be gone for that long, and have the reception they have upon their return shows the huge appetite for great guitar music. They’re one of the most important bands to ever exist and I think you’d struggle to find any band at the moment that isn’t hugely influenced by everything about them.”
Parlours
“It’s like the second coming of Christ! For us, one of our biggest influences, we wouldn’t be in a band if it wasn’t for them. We’ll see you all there!”
Apostles
“For us, and probably most bands, Oasis are the reason why you pick up a guitar and want to start a band. We all wanted to be Liam or Noel when we were younger, so to see your hero’s sort their shit out and perform again is special. We’ve already started scheming a way for how we’re going to get tickets.”
The Sway
“We’re absolutely buzzing with it, we will definitely be trying to get to one of the gigs. I think we can speak for almost every band nowadays in saying that Oasis have been a massive reason we all picked up our instruments, and we’ve bonded over their tunes in many a party through the years.”
Tom Dempsey, The Kairos
“Nothing matters now. They are back!”
Cal Blakebrough, Arkayla
“Oasis are the band who ignited the fire in a lot of us to do what we do, and now we’re all getting the chance to see it live for the very first time. We’ve got Manchester dates, shows at Wembley, hopefully a new album. Am I happy? NO I’M NOT I WANT MORE!!”
Stars, Bang Bang Romeo
“I grew up listening to so many genres of music because of my dad. From Shirley Bassey to Moby, but Oasis was also massively up there and on full volume. The Beatles of their generation? Possibly. One of the best rock’n’roll bands of all time? Probably. Is the world about to go into frenzy at their return and me along with them? Definitely maybe. Awesome news, now it’s time to dig out the gazelles.”
Dirty Blonde
“The Oasis reunion is massive to us, as it will be with so many old and new bands. Oasis are a band that the majority of people our age just missed out on seeing live, but have grown up with that musical influence over the past decade and a half. I think it’s going to be a really surreal moment for a lot of people getting to see Oasis live in 2025.”
Benjy Leak, Lock-In
“Oasis getting back together for us is the first time we’ve really felt guitar music being in the limelight in our short career! It feels as though this is the energy guitar music needs and it’s bound to blow. This has proven anyone can like guitar music given the scale of the media attention and the reaction on social media. Long may it continue… as you were!”
Jake Vickers, The Zangwills,
“I think that whether we realise it or not, we’ve all likely been influenced by Oasis. Whether it be directly within the music, or an item of clothing, we can deny it all we want but it’s probably buried in there somewhere! Hopefully this reunion is going to start a shift within the music scene and bring guitar music back into the spotlight.”
Laurie Wright
“I never doubted it. I knew Oasis would reform. The people would not let them part ways forever. The people decided. Noel and Liam are both too fond of the glory & a pound note not to, and with Bonehead’s recent illness and Peggy in her eighties, there must be a sense and reminder that ‘life’s too short,’ that overrides trivial differences.. That and a multi-million-pound divorce case that Noel Is currently going through, and the clear financial gain of reforming Oasis. I will be there, screaming my barnet off with every fibre of my being – the greatest songs of a generation, The greatest band of my lifetime, and still the greatest band in the world – Oasis”
Lee Wylding, The Far North
“I didn’t think I’d ever see the day the Gallagher’s would put their differences aside and reform Oasis, but I’m certainly glad they have! I saw them a G-Mex in 1997 and atmosphere wise I think these gigs are going to be on the same level as their nineties pomp. This is the news we needed right now, the country’s on its arse and it’s something we can all look forward to!’
Rolla
“Such an iconic band getting back together that has inspired tonnes of musicians and bands for generations. Hopefully, this starts the next revolution of proper rock’n’roll music and could reopen the door to the masses of new rock’n’roll bands like ourselves and so many others out there”
Rosellas
“It’s obviously brilliant. They’re a band that still mean so much to so many people. Let’s hope this reunion can help the general public fall in love with rock music all over again, and get it back to where it belongs … in the charts!”
Jake Dorsman, Stanleys
“Beginning our musical journey as a teenage pub cover act; at least one Oasis song always essential for our set. But it was much more than that. They were a band we all knew and loved. From singing classics like Champagne Supernova while drunk at parties, to taking influence from their energy and live performances, Oasis will probably continue to have an impact on our music for years to come.”
Ollie Anglesey, The Lilacs
“I think that Oasis getting back together is great news. A lot of smaller bands like ourselves grew up listening to Oasis and a lot of bands would probably say they are their biggest influence so to have that back in the industry is great. Some of these bands would probably have been too young to be able to get tickets to and will now, hopefully, be able to get to see them. Let’s hope it boosts the music scene for all bands who can hopefully reap the rewards.”
Lilacs bass player Matty Johnson threw in a comment which perhaps perfectly captures the state of the nation “fuckin mint innit’…. in all seriousness, I will go bankrupt to get a ticket”
It appears, with optimistic views of a boost for the music industry and a raised profile for guitar-based music, all the bands we spoke to are more than a touch happy about the reunion. No doubt one or two will be even happier when they find themselves with tickets and who knows, maybe we’ll get to see a couple of these acts or their peers on those stages next summer?
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