Oasis Reunion: 5 Biggest Talking Points to Watch Out For

In late September, Oasis announced an unlikely reunion after a 15-year hiatus. Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher have shared an announcement that they will be playing a series of stadium dates in the UK and Ireland in 2025 at London's Wembley Stadium, Manchester's Heaton Park and beyond.

First formed in 1991 in their hometown of Manchester, the brothers eventually split in 2009 after a behind-the-scenes feud in Paris. Both have enjoyed successful solo outings since then, amassing a total of 10 UK No.1 albums between them (six for Liam, four for Noel).

The announcement came hot on the heels of anniversary reissues of their first two 1994 records Sure maybe and 1995 follow-up (What's The Story) Morning Glory?. It causes excitement and many questions. below, Bulletin board runs through the biggest talking points to watch closely.

Furor ticket sales

Demand was high for the dates announced to take place next July and August. A statement from the band said that over 10 million fans from 158 countries were trying to buy tickets on the original general sale date (August 31). All dates are completely sold out.

However, there was a major upheaval in the sales strategy and a particular anger towards Ticketmaster. After long waits – queue numbers reached 500,000 for a single date – some fans were disappointed by Ticketmaster's use of dynamic 'on-demand' ticket pricing model. The face value of some tickets rose from £135 to over £350, forcing fans to make quick, expensive decisions about how much they could afford to spend on tickets. There has been outrage that demand may have inflated the price of tickets.

The band has since responded by claiming that “at no time were they aware that dynamic pricing was to be used” in the sales process. They have since announced two new Wembley Stadium dates of 27-28 September 2025 and that the ticketing process will be an 'invitation-only ballot' for fans who did not produce tickets the first time around.

The story is unlikely to end there. The UK government has promised an investigation into the dynamic pricing model and the UK Competition and Markets Authority is conducting an “urgent review”. Ticketmaster has yet to make a statement regarding the sale process.

All over the world

Fans outside the UK have been clamoring for a chance to see the band live and it looks like they're about to get their wish. With the initial announcement, the band said they had plans to take Oasis Live '25 to continents outside of Europe after their initial run was completed. A billboard put up by Amazon Music in New York's Times Square appears to be teasing a series of US dates in the near future.

Battle of the Bands

The line-up of Oasis has been variable since their formation in 1991 with a number of members coming and going. We know for sure that Noel and Liam will appear, but who will be with them?

The band's original rhythm guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs – who has battled cancer in recent years – is set to be included, as well as eventual replacement Gem Archer. The latter played as a member of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds in recent years.

Alan White, the band's drummer between 1995 and 2004, has teased his involvement on his social media profiles. The group's original drummer, Tony McCarroll, has claimed that he is unlikely to be involved. He said MailOnline that while he was “delighted” at the news, none of the brothers had reached out and that “I'm not holding my breath.” Time will tell if Andy Bell, bassist between 1999 and their eventual split in 2009, will join. Bell has had song credits on each of the last three Oasis albums.

“Today will be the day…”

But why are the pipes of peace playing now? The reunion has been widely discussed by both brothers (and the press) throughout their solo careers, with Liam being the most outspoken of the pair. In 2023, Noel said his team “must call mine” and complete the reunion.

There are huge business opportunities for the duo as well. It is expected to net £50m each after taxes for the original airing of the shows, and have partnered with Levi's, Amazon and Urban Outfitters on a new line of merchandise. Sales and streams of their back catalogue, i.e. debut album Sure maybeare increasing rapidly.

It must have proved a timely opportunity to get Noel on board. He and Sara McDonald, whom he married in 2011, filed for divorce in January 2023. He also discussed that next year would be the first opportunity for him to consider selling publishing rights to his back catalog. Master rights to the band's material (including hits like “Wonderwall” and “Don't Look Back In Anger”) are due to revert to him in 2025.

New album?

For the Gallaghers to put aside their animosity and return to the studio may seem unlikely, but stranger things have happened. Fans have noted that Liam has been sharing cryptic clues about the band's reunion for months on his X profile. In July, a fan asked what he was doing that day with Liam replying “photoshoot”, which is now widely believed to be is the official photo shoot of the comeback with brother Noel.

In April, another hopeful asked when recording would begin on a new Oasis album. His response? “November.” Maybe all the clues have been hidden in plain sight….