Soundchecks and rehearsals appear to have started inside the Principality Stadium in Cardiff – and this is what has been heard so far
Oasis have been heard playing together for the first time in 16 years in what appears to be the band’s first soundcheck at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher are reuniting with Oasis bandmates past and present for the eagerly-anticipated new tour which kicks off in Cardiff on Friday night.
Soundchecks and rehearsals are now taking place inside the stadium, where the M.E.N.’s colleagues at WalesOnline are covering the build-up to the gigs.
Reporters at the scene have this afternoon heard the inimitable sounds of Cigarettes and Alcohol blasting out of the venue in preparation for the opening dates of the band’s first gigs in 16 years.
On Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5, the band will kick off the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour, starting 17 dates across UK and Ireland this summer.
After Cardiff the band will head to Manchester for those five huge homecoming shows at Heaton Park in Manchester, starting on Friday July 11 through to Sunday July 20.
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Fans are eagerly-awaiting to see the band back in action, and of course to hear which Oasis classics will make the setlist.
And today, we got a little teaser of that with what appeared to be a soundcheck in Cardiff.
Wales Online reporter Conor Gogarty had the perfect spot on Fitzhammond Embankment to hear the sound come out of the Principality Stadium – and said it’s very clear that someone is singing the 1994 classic Cigarettes and Alcohol inside the ground.
While the melody of the anthem is easy for any Oasis fan to make out, it’s not so clear if it’s Liam himself singing during the rehearsal.
Set up at the Principality is already well underway though, with a full soundcheck from the band expected later in the week.
Fans are giddily speculating as to which songs will make the cut, with Liam himself responding to one fan’s questioning about the track Hello, saying it will definitely make an appearance.
The rehearsals on Monday could also be heard from the other side of the stadium, just not as clearly, according to the reporters at the scene.
The Mirror has reported that Liam and Noel, plus new drummer Joey Waronker and guitarists Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, will take the opportunity to make sure their performance is tip top ahead of Friday and Saturday.
A source close to the band told the Mirror earlier today: “With a new line up and it being such a huge first show, the boys will do some songs inside the venue too.
“Some tours would start with a smaller show or take a week or two to get into the groove again but there is no time for that and also Liam and Noel want every night to be massive.
“This is such a huge comeback show and they are taking it very seriously. It all points to it being an incredible comeback tour.”
The official stage times have also been announced today on the Oasis social media accounts.
For both nights, doors at the Principality will open at 5pm. Support acts Cast will take to the stage at 6pm, followed by Richard Ashcroft at 7pm.
Ahead of the shows this weekend, a series of images have also been taken showing the preparations taking place at the stadium for the opening gigs.