Waking up in Manchester, the city that gave birth to Oasis, felt strangely significant the morning I found my phone flooded with WhatsApp messages. “Did you hear the big news?!” my friends were asking. At first, I was sceptical. Over the years, rumours of Oasis getting back together have popped up so many times, only to fizzle out just as quickly. Some tabloid story, a speculative radio show… always leading to nothing. But this time, it felt different. Both Noel and Liam had posted cryptic messages on their official Instagram accounts, promising a "special announcement" two days later. And sure enough, two days later, it happened. Oasis were officially back.
It was a moment that transported me back 15 years, to when I was a teenager obsessed by Britpop, particularly by the iconic anthems of Liam and Noel. I was supposed to see them live in Italy in 2009, but just two days before the concert, they famously split in Paris. Noel’s parting words still echo in my head: “It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.” My heart shattered that day, just as it did for thousands of fans around the world.
Oasis had something unique, a rawness and simplicity that resonated with people. If I’m being honest, there’s nothing particularly innovative in their sound. Their technique wasn’t groundbreaking, and their lyrics weren’t especially profound. The 90s Britpop era gave us plenty of bands with more complexity or artistry. But Oasis? Oasis took your heart. As I always told myself, when trying to decide what side to take in the (somewhat fabricated) Britpop battle, if I liked Blur or Oasis more—I could never really decide. Blur may take your mind, but Oasis takes your heart.
And that’s the truth. I still can’t wrap my head around how, from the minds of two rough, seemingly tough-as-nails brothers, these songs were born. Noel has often admitted that he doesn’t know what his lyrics mean. But does it matter? As he once said, “When you’ve got 60,000 people singing them together, they mean something. They mean something different to each of them.” For me, "Please don't put your life in the hands of a rock and roll band, who’ll throw it all away" feels like it sums up my life, though I’ve never quite understood why.
After their split, I never truly let go of the hope that one day I would see them live. I saw both brothers perform solo several times—Liam, who stuck to the classic Oasis sound, and Noel, who branched out into new musical territories. While those shows were fantastic in their own right, every time they played an Oasis track, something always felt missing. Deep down, I held onto that seemingly impossible dream of them reuniting, despite their infamous temperaments.
And now, unbelievably, it’s happening. My cheesy, over-romanticized dream has come true. This working-class British fairytale finally has its happy ending. Somehow, I managed to score tickets. On the 20th of July next year, I’ll be in Manchester with my friends, many of whom grew to love Oasis over the last 15 years—maybe in part due to my endless obsession, my insistence on playing their songs at every party, and dragging them to every solo concert.
Yes, it’s sentimental, even ridiculous, to romanticize two rude and unpolished brothers who wrote the soundtrack of a generation. But that’s exactly what they did. Oasis became the emotional heartbeat of a whole decade. And judging by the massive ticket queues and sold-out shows, it seems I’m not the only one who feels that way. For those who agree, see you next year.
To wrap things up, I’d like to share three of my favourite Oasis tracks. Choosing just three is no easy task, especially when trying to avoid the most obvious hits, but I’ll give it a go!
Songs for the time-capsule
"Whatever" (1994): Clocking in at 6 minutes and 21 seconds, "Whatever" is one of Oasis’ longest singles and also one of their most ambitious. The soaring string arrangements, played by the London Session Orchestra, add a majestic touch to the song. Noel Gallagher co-arranged the orchestration himself, showcasing his talent beyond just guitar riffs. Melody Maker famously called the track "absolutely f***ing stunning," and it’s easy to see why. The uplifting melody and lyrics about freedom make this a true fan favourite.
"Little by Little" (2002): While Liam was initially meant to sing this song, it was Noel's vocal take that stole the show, impressing everyone during the recording. With its heartfelt lyrics and anthemic feel, "Little by Little" captures that classic Oasis spirit of vulnerability and determination. It’s a reminder of the more introspective side of Noel’s songwriting, and though it’s not as universally known as some of their biggest hits, it still resonates deeply with fans.
"Supersonic" (1994): I wanted to steer clear of the obvious choices, but their debut single is simply too special to ignore. Written and recorded in just one day, "Supersonic" encapsulates everything that makes Oasis great—raw, immediate, and bursting with energy. From the opening drumbeat and Noel’s iconic pick scrape on the guitar to the playful, nonsensical lyrics ("I know a girl called Elsa, she's into Alka-Seltzer..."), it’s a track that hits you straight in the heart. The blend of confidence, psychedelic Beatles influences, and sheer energy captures the essence of what makes Oasis so iconic.
