The pioneering architects of Britpop, Oasis, are officially back after a fifteen-year hiatus, and predictably, the Gallagher brothers are already setting the internet ablaze. Kicking off their global reunion tour in Cardiff on July 4, 2025, the band is packing stadiums, dominating headlines, and reigniting an old question: are Oasis one of the greatest rock bands of all time, or simply the loudest example of Britpop bloat?
If early reactions are anything to go by, the answer depends entirely on who you ask.
A Legendary Reunion And a Familiar Chaos
When Liam and Noel Gallagher last shared a stage in 2009, it ended not in triumph but in chaos. A backstage fight in Paris allegedly involving fists, guitars, and a lot of swearing spelt the end or so everyone thought. But last week, after years of acrimony and speculation, Oasis announced their return with a 40-date tour and an upcoming concert film, Oasis Live ’25, directed by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) alongside Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace (Shut Up and Play the Hits).
The announcement was an instant cultural moment: flight searches to Cardiff spiked by over 100 times, while venues across Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin reported ticket demand rarely seen since the peak of Britpop in the ‘90s.
Yet as thousands scramble for tickets, others are rolling their eyes. As one user on NME’s Instagram declared:
“Oasis are the past, massively overrated and stuck in nostalgia. There’s no way they’ll recapture the magic.”
Nostalgia or New Chapter?
On social media, the split is stark. Fans who grew up with Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? see the tour as a once-in-a-lifetime event. “They were the soundtrack of our teenage years,” one lifelong devotee wrote on Reddit. “To see them again feels like closing a chapter we never got to finish.”
But detractors are just as vocal. The Guardian’s culture columnist called the reunion “a cynical cash grab wrapped in recycled denim,” citing the band’s history of lawsuits over plagiarism and their notoriously petulant feuds. On Twitter, another fan posted:
“It’s 2025, and we’re paying £500 to watch two middle-aged millionaires who can’t stand each other argue on stage. Legendary.”
Ticket Prices Spark Outrage
Indeed, the cost of entry has become the biggest controversy so far. As soon as presales opened, social feeds filled with complaints about “dynamic pricing”—a system that automatically hikes prices as demand rises. One fan shared a screenshot of Cardiff pit tickets listed at £750 each.
By midday, Ticketmaster’s UK office was flooded with complaints and even calls for regulatory intervention. According to BBC News, some tickets originally priced at £150 were appearing on resale platforms for £400-£500 within hours.
“It’s the biggest rip-off I’ve ever seen,” a disappointed buyer told Sky News. “They’ve turned nostalgia into a gold rush.”
Despite the backlash, demand remained so high that multiple additional dates were added in Manchester and London.
Divided Over Legacy
Beyond the money, Oasis’ artistic legacy itself remains under fire. Some critics see their hits as derivative, overshadowed by their infamous egos. As The Independent noted in a retrospective published last week, the group has faced repeated accusations of borrowing liberally from their influences.
Cases in point:
- “Shakermaker” led to a $500,000 payout to The New Seekers for lifting their melody.
- “Whatever” ended in an out-of-court settlement with Neil Innes.
- “Step Out” was so close to Stevie Wonder’s “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” it couldn’t be included on the album proper.
Meanwhile, Oasis loyalists argue the band’s power lies precisely in their references, turning classic rock motifs into something raw and singular.
One viral TikTok comment summed up the pro-Oasis camp:
“Sure, they borrowed chords. But no one else wrote choruses that could fill a stadium like they did.”
What Fans Are Saying
On fan forums and music sites, the divide remains palpable:
The believers:
- “Oasis gave working-class kids anthems. Seeing them together is worth every penny.” (Facebook)
- “The songs still hit, and Liam is still a frontman like no other.” (Reddit)
The sceptics:
- “They’re a nostalgia act, and everyone pretending it’s more than that is lying to themselves.” (Twitter)
- “Two man-children screaming at each other—no thanks.” (Instagram)
Still, for many, this tour represents a chance to relive a cultural moment that defined the 90s—and perhaps see if the Gallaghers can put aside their vendetta for something bigger than both of them.
Whatever side you take, Oasis have achieved what few bands ever do: a comeback so polarising that it feels like the 90s all over again.
Oasis UK Tour begins July 4, 2025.
