By Don’t look back in anger, they sang.
Easier said than done.
Because Oasis was everywhere in the ’90s. But 15 years later, the band was history.
The group’s 1994 debut album “Definitely Maybe” topped the album chart in United Kingdom and broke through in the United States, going platinum.
The Manchester band’s explosive appeal was cemented in the UK and across the pond with its mega hit second album “(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?” The album, released in 1995, peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in 1996. The song “Wonderwall,” which charted at No. 8, became a calling card and anthem for the band.
However, the most famous members of Oasis, brothers Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher, also drew a fair amount of attention for their arguments and tumultuous relationship, which eventually resulted in the band’s breakup in 2009.
The Britpop and alt-rock band’s songs had become ubiquitous in the U.S. — “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Champagne Supernova” among them — and the group was considered a bonafide global act.
Now, 15 years after the split, the Gallagher brothers are apparently patching things up and planning a big reunion with a series of concerts.
The Sunday Times reports, per “industry insiders,” that Noel Gallagher, 57, and Liam Gallagher, 51, are set to reunite onstage by summer 2025.
The news arrives just days before an August 29 milestone for the band — the 30th anniversary of the release of “Definitely Maybe.” A deluxe anniversary edition of the album is due out August 30.
The Oasis brothers’ last gig together was the V Festival in Stafford, England in August 2009.
According to the report, the unconfirmed, rumored plans for reunion shows include concerts at Heaton Park in Manchester and Wembley Stadium in London — which may be booked for as many as 10 nights of Oasis shows (if true, that would break an eight-night record set this year by Taylor Swift).
Liam Gallagher seemed to respond affirmatively to the Sunday Times story on social media by replying to a fan on X (formerly Twitter) with the message “see you down the front.”
Liam, who is set to headline the Reading Festival in England Sunday, remained active on X, replying to fans in the hours before his performance.
What plans did he have for 2025, one wanted to know.
“World domination,” he said.
“I never did like that word FORMER,” he said in another post.
The Sunday Times also reports that Oasis may be added to the huge Glastonbury Festival as a headliner in 2025, the year that marks the 30th anniversary of “(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?”
Oasis released seven studio albums before the breakup, including “Be Here Now” (1997), which charted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 — a best for the band in the U.S.; “Standing on the Shoulder of Giants” (2000); “Heathen Chemistry” (2002); “Don’t Believe the Truth” (2005); and “Dig Out Your Soul” (2008), which made it to No. 5.
The band’s lineup has shifted over time, but when Oasis broke up, Andy Bell (bass and rhythm guitar, keyboards) and Gem Archer (lead guitar) were members of the band alongside the Gallagher brothers.
A family portrait of the Gallaghers in the 1970s. From left to right; Noel, Paul and Liam Gallagher and their mother, Peggy Gallagher. Noel and Liam last shared the stage performing as Oasis in 2009.
Dan Callister | Liaison
While Noel and Liam were known for their disagreements, it was a fight backstage in Paris that proved to be the breaking point. Noel quit the group after Liam damaged one of his brother’s guitars during the fight.
Liam Gallagher performed without his brother this summer in celebration of the 30th anniversary of “Definitely Maybe.”
And while the Gallaghers have publicly been at odds for so long, hurling insults that left little room for ambiguity, Noel Gallagher recently praised his younger brother in a video feature on the 30th anniversary of their debut album (watch below).
“He always was great at picking things up,” Noel said of Liam, complimenting his singing voice, musical ability and the attitude in his performances. “You wouldn’t have to talk him through anything.”
Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher performing with Oasis in 1997.Simon Ritter | Redferns
“Definitely Maybe,” he said, was “these uplifting tunes with almost romantic lyrics but with a really menacing f—ing delivery.”
While Liam Gallagher initially became the band’s lead singer, the brothers switched off with each other for different songs (Liam sang lead on “Wonderwall” and Noel sang “Don’t Look Back in Anger”).
“He’s got a great tone,” Noel continued of his brother. “What I always liked about it in the studio was you didn’t have to f— around with it.”
“If songs were drinks, Liam’s is a shot of tequila, right, and mine’s half a Guinness … mine’s half a Guinness on a Tuesday — it’s all right. Liam’s is 10 shots of tequila on a f—ing Friday night.”
“When I would sing a song, it would sound good,” Noel said. “When he would sing it, it would sound great.”
Video contains profanity
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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup.
