It’s probably the most significant music event of the decade. A lot of people said it would never happen but this weekend Noel and Liam Gallagher prepare to embark upon the latest chapter of the creative revolution that has gripped the nation for over three decades. The volatile relationship between these two cultural icons has become the subject of much debate over the past fifteen years with Noel and Liam both using national platforms to ignite the ongoing conflict between them. Yet in almost every interview, public appearance or solo project, both of them have been dogged by just one question: will Oasis ever reunite?
Then on Tuesday 27th August 2024, the UK woke to the news that no Oasis fan saw coming as Noel and Liam announced the band would reunite for tour dates in Manchester and Wembley. The days that followed really transported me back to the nineties with the creation of ticket hotlines, long queues and buzzing anticipation on both TV and radio. It really felt like a very significant moment in the history of pop culture and for people of my generation and older, it brought all those memories flooding back. Not many bands are able to make it into the cultural vocabulary but Oasis had the unique ability to tap into the social zeitgeist of the time and pen songs that defined a generation. Therefore by reuniting, Oasis haven’t just excited audiences with the promise of being able to see them live once again but have also reminded those who were lucky enough to witness them the first time around how important they are to the makeup of our culture.
For the past thirty years, journalists, cultural commentators, broadcasters, presenters and authors have attempted to understand the complex dynamics of Noel and Liam which have become another dimension of the Oasis story. Blessed with buckets of self confidence, these brothers didn’t care about what they said or did because they knew the press would be interested in whatever they did so it didn’t matter. They were uniquely blessed with a relaxed attitude towards the press and in the era when the British media could be at their most toxic, this certainly paid off. So the antics of these dysfunctional brothers became less about the music and more like a soap opera but neither Noel or Liam seemed to let it change them. In fact it was something they embraced or even relished!
Oasis represents so many things to so many people but within the industry the Gallaghers have become shorthand for a time in the nineties when British music ruled the world. The reunion has sparked a sense of renaissance amongst the music world as many are taken back to a certain time in their lives. Yet the irony is that Oasis don’t much care for nostalgia or affectionately reflecting on past achievements. Just like Britpop, Oasis failed to fully embrace the euphoria of the time and instead rebelled against the idea of Cool Britannia. Don’t Look Back In Anger or Champagne Supernova may mean so much to so many people but it’s just another gig for the Gallaghers.
Yet of course it’s not just another gig. For a certain generation, this is the most significant musical event in recent memory and remains cross generational. This is one of the reasons why it shouldn’t be analysed. Therefore any write-up could never capture the significance of this moment as much as the Gallaghers themselves. I’m really excited about the Oasis reunion and I’m in no doubt that just like the song, they will ‘Live Forever!’
Beyond The Title