‘We never thought this would happen, it doesn’t even feel real. It’s like being a little kid at Christmas’
It’s about quarter past nine and four friends on the 8/30am Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central train service are reminiscing about the Oasis gigs they’ve been to in the past.
One remembers the last show they saw very clearly. “It was 2009, V Festival, their last gig before they split,” says Guy wistfully.
“You could tell they were on the brink, but we’ve followed them with everything they’ve done since – Beady eye, High Flying Birds.
“We never thought this would happen, it doesn’t even feel real. It’s like being a little kid at Christmas.”
It’s a sentiment shared by many, and in Cardiff today the atmosphere was electric, though heavy with expectation and nerves. What would they sound like? Would they be just as good as they were before? Would it be ‘biblical’?
The fans had very little to worry about though. They are the Gallagher brothers, after all – a pair with plenty of swagger, attitude and talent to spare.
It was a momentous occasion, and all around Cardiff, spirits were high leading into the evening, with queues stretching down the street as fans patiently stood in line for their merchandise – a chance to pick up a souvenir of the momentous occasion – or posed by huge Oasis Live ’25 signs adorning the exterior of the stadium and surrounding streets of the Welsh capital.
Westgate in the city centre was the place to be though. Here, gig-goers spilled out into the streets, the sun beaming down and the vibes high as the band’s back catalogue of hits, from Champagne Supernova to Live Forever, could be heard blasting through the speakers in every venue.
And while there were plenty of locals soaking up the Oasis vibes, there were, as expected, fans that had travelled from half the world away to see the Britpop megastars.
Carol Sanchez and Alex Diaz, wearing matching Oasis Knebworth t-shirts, flew in from Spain after seeing them at their last ever concert in the country in Madrid in 2009.
“We had to be here, we hope they play the traditional songs,” said Carol, who hoped the first song they come out to will be Rock n Roll star.
A little further afield, Karin Yamamoto, 24, and boyfriend Fumitaka Hamano, 29, flew in from Japan. Karin said: “My parents are big fans, but I never got to see them live.
“I’m hoping they play Live Forever.”
As the afternoon progressed, and the gates opened, many fans began flooding into the stadium, while some decided to take in the atmosphere a little longer and grab another pint.
As one fan who opted to stay outside for a bit put it: “It’s like England have won the world cup all over again.”
Those that went inside meanwhile were treated to support sets from Cast and Richard Ashcroft.
John Power, frontman of the Liverpool band, opened proceedings by launching into Cast classic Sandstorm one minute before 6pm on Friday night.
He also paid a moving tribute to Liverpool FC footballer Diogo Jota who died this week in a car crash in Spain aged 28.
Introducing the song Walkaway to the audience he said: “Thanks very much everyone yeah ok so this next one is dedicated to Diogo Jota – rest easy brother.”
The Burnage band may have chosen Cardiff for the historic occasion, but they brought the best of the north west with them.
Ashcroft, who will join Oasis at all 19 of their sold-out UK and Ireland shows, played a crowd-pleasing seven song set list packed with Verve hits and solo material.
Everything from The Drugs Don’t Work to Bitter Sweet Symphony were covered and provided the perfect warmup to what was to come.
Then it was time for Oasis.
From the heart-tugging moment the brothers Gallagher walked out on stage arm and arm together for the first time in 16 years, through to the very last strains of Champagne Supernova ringing out, the gig was biblical, celestial, and majestical.
After waving to the 75,000 inside the stadium, they launched into Hello, followed by Acquiesce. It was then that Liam spoke to the crowd for the first time, telling them: “Hello beautiful people, it’s been too long.”
From here it was a all guns blazing as they whipped through big hits and fan anthems – so many highlights like Acquiesce, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Whatever, Supersonic, D’You Know What I Mean?.
Tender moments included another poignant tribute to Liverpool footballer Jota, whose number 20 shirt flashed on screen during Live Forever.
And when Noel launched into Don’t Look Back in Anger the video screens rippled with black and yellow bees – a subtle and beautiful nod to the song’s significance in the week of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack of 2017.
Liam, Noel and Bonehead, together with Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Joey Waronker, looked and sounded like a band at the top of their game – which is a great omen for things to come, especially for fans heading to the first of the band’s Manchester homecoming gigs next week.
But for those that poured out of the stadium tonight there were just a few words to sum it up.
“I saw them 20 years ago and they’re even better now than ever,” one fan outside told us after the show.
“It was the best gig I’ve ever seen.”
Oasis set list from opening night
- Hello
- Acquiesce
- Morning Glory
- Some Might Say
- Bring it on Down
- Cigarettes and Alcohol
- Fade Away
- Supersonic
- Roll With It
- Talk Tonight
- Half the World Away
- Little by Little
- D’You Know What I Mean
- Stand By Me
- Cast No Shadow
- Slide Away
- Whatever
- Live Forever
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Star
Encore
- Masterplan
- Don’t Look Back in Anger
- Wonderwall
- Champagne Supernova