The iconic British band Oasis kicked off their highly anticipated world tour with a spectacular performance at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on November 3, 2023. The concert marked the first of three sold-out shows, drawing a crowd of over 55,000 fans eager to witness the reunion of brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher after a long hiatus.
As the band took the stage, the excitement was palpable. Midway through the performance of their classic track Champagne Supernova, flares were ignited by fans in the audience. Frontman Liam Gallagher, displaying a mix of amusement and mock disapproval, gestured with his finger and quipped, “naughty, naughty,” but continued to engage with the crowd. One attendee remarked, “I was reasonably close to the flare, but no one seemed worried at all. Everyone was too busy belting out the lyrics,” highlighting the electrifying atmosphere.
Liam opened the show by acknowledging the band’s extended absence from Australian stages, stating, “Are you all right? Did you miss us? We missed you too.” The night began with a high-energy rendition of Hello from their seminal album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? Fans, many sporting bucket hats and Premier League merchandise, sang along to hits like Bring It On Down and Slide Away, undeterred by the drizzly weather.
Among the enthusiastic crowd was Edward Gates, a dedicated fan from Melbourne who had waited years for this moment. “I truly just never thought that would happen. We are blessed. The stars have aligned,” he expressed after securing a spot in the front row. His excitement reflected a sentiment shared by many in attendance, as Oasis has enjoyed a devoted following in Australia for decades.
The night also featured an opening act, the Australian indie-rock band Ball Park Music, which helped warm up the crowd for Oasis’s much-anticipated return. The connection between Oasis and Australian fans is deep-rooted, exemplified by their mega hit Wonderwall, which topped Triple J’s Hottest 100 in 1995. That same year, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? dominated the ARIA charts, cementing the band’s legacy in the region.
Oasis last graced Australian stages in late 2005 as part of their Don’t Believe the Truth Tour. Since then, the brothers have made headlines for both their musical achievements and their public feuds. Notably, in 2009, Noel Gallagher departed the band following a backstage altercation with Liam before a scheduled performance in Paris. Fortunately for fans, the current tour seems to be free of any such drama.
The Australian leg of the tour will continue with two additional performances at Marvel Stadium on November 4 and November 7, followed by appearances at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on November 8. As the band celebrates their reunion, fans are left hopeful for more memorable moments as they revel in the nostalgia of Oasis’s timeless music.
