Oasis Ends 19-Year Drought With Blinding First Concert of Australian ‘Live ‘25’ Tour
The reunion of Oasis, of the long-feuding Gallagher brothers, isn’t so much the stuff of legend, a surprise no one saw coming, or a comeback of the ages. Chalk it down as a rock ‘n’ roll miracle.
Oasis split proper in 2009, following another backstage row, and any flicker of hope was snuffed out two years later when acrimony turned legal. Even the Gallaghers’ mom Peggy stepped in, pleading for her boys to bury the hatchet. All to no avail.
That was half a world away, a lifetime ago. Miracles do happen. Australians were witness to one Friday night, Oct. 31, as Oasis swept into Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, the opener for the Australian lap of their Live ’25 world tour, and their first show on these shores in 19 years.
The Victorian capital is always buzzing at this time of the year. The Melbourne Cup Carnival is underway, so too is Halloween, and at month’s end, the towering Melbourne Cricket Ground hosted an international cricket match, the visiting Indian men’s team taking on the national team.
On showday, Oasis t-shirts are the dress code for Melbourne’s CBD. In every café, on every sidewalk, an excitable punter in their Oasis kit. Bucket hats, branded Adidas jackets. The pop-up Oasis store in central has been booked out for the months, and the queues are disheartening. If merchandise is a good gauge, there’s only one show in town.
Marvel is an appropriate first stop. Once inside the Docklands sporting venue, fans can grab selfies with its superhero gatekeepers from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including a massive “Hulkbuster” Iron Man replica.
The other superheroes would take the stage at 8:45 p.m.
Oasis’ band members, as they’ve done on previous dates, made their entrance to the pounding beats of the instrumental “F—ing’ In The Bushes,” then switched on the jukebox for two hours of hits and fan-faves. The retractable roof was closed, a good decision after a day of uncertain weather, though denying these these Manchester lads the comforts of home.
Kicking off with “Hello,” into which Liam inserted the lyrics “it’s good to be back,” then “Acquiesce,” and “Morning Glory,” provided an opening combination that hit hard and fast. “G’day,” Liam told the 58,000 gathered fans, Tina Arena and Jelly Roll among them. “Did you miss us? Because we missed you.”
This older, mature version of Liam is chattier than the chap we remember, and much less surly. Now aged 53, he loves a bit of banter. There’s a silly story about bumping into “Drew The Kangaroo” on a walk at the seaside, and regular words of encouragement to the audience.
The hits kept coming. “Cigarettes & Alcohol,” “Fade Away,” “Supersonic,” “Roll With It,” and a break for Liam, as Noel took the mic and the spotlight for his own mini-set, including “Talk Tonight,” “Half the World Away” and “Little by Little.”
For a late set rendition of “Whatever,” Liam inserts a lyric from The Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden,” a tip of the bucket hat to their own heroes.
Noel’s guitar work is note perfect. Each solo, complete and exact. The Gallaghers, when they’re sharing the stage, don’t tread on each other’s toes. But, importantly, they’re fully committed, and generous.
“Nice one for putting up with us for so many years,” Liam told the faithful in Melbourne, many of whom flew from interstate or New Zealand for the occasion. “We f***ing love ya.”
The Manchester rockers have always drawn a crowd. All seven of their studio albums hit No. 1 on the Official U.K. Chart, as did their 2010 hits compilation, Time Flies 1994-2009 – for a total of eight leaders. Along the way, the rockers have collected six BRIT Awards, including the Outstanding Contribution to British Music, two Ivor Novellos, and 17 NME Awards. Some 18 million people applied for tickets when dates for this world tour were first announced, with 2.6 million fans securing entry to the show. The only thing missing is entry in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. That will come.
This tour down under coincides with the 30th anniversary of the release of “Wonderwall” on Oct. 30, 1995, a song deeply embedded in Australian culture, which logged 11 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA Chart and topped triple j ’s Hottest 100 songs of the past 20 years, which counted down in 2013.
“Wish this baby happy birthday. Thirty years Wonderwall,” Liam remarked as Oasis dropped their signature song into the encore, bookended by “Don’t Look Back In Anger” and the final number, “Champagne Supernova.” Few bands can swing out three songs of this caliber at the end of their set.
A fan tried to hog the limelight, and create his own supernova, by lighting a flare several minutes from the end, earning a reprimand from Liam, who hissed “naughty naughty naughty,” channeling his best Mr C. He followed up with a strongly worded tweet.
The enduring image, however, wasn’t of a moment of stupidity from a fan, but a glimpse of brotherly love, as the Gallaghers briefly hugged it out before leaving the stage.
Earlier, Brisbane’s Ball Park Music warmed up with songs from their own deep catalog, including the right-on-cue “Please Don’t Move To Melbourne,” lifted from their domestic chart-topping 2025 album Like Love. Being here supporting Oasis is “a dream come true,” remarked frontman Sam Cromack, wearing an AC/DC shirt, a band that will be playing stadiums in the weeks ahead. For thousands at Marvel, being in the room with an active Oasis is a dream come true.
With their swagger, attitude, style, and songs that could live forever, Oasis might be the last great rock ‘n’ roll band. This tour is off to a blinder, a result for anyone in the place who wanted, waited for this band, and used the opportunity to go let it all out, and sing at the top of their lungs.
Produced by Live Nation Australia Oasis’ Live ’25 tour continues Saturday (Nov. 1) and Tuesday (Nov. 4) at Marvel Stadium, then moves to Sydney for back-to-back shows at Accor Stadium on Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8.
Oasis setlist at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, Friday, 31st October
Hello Acquiesce Morning Glory Some Might Say Bring It on Down Cigarettes & Alcohol Fade Away Supersonic Roll With It Talk Tonight (sung by Noel) Half the World Away (sung by Noel) Little By Little (sung by Noel) D’You Know What I Mean? Stand By Me Cast No Shadow Slide Away Whatever Live Forever Rock ’n’ Roll Star
Encore The Masterplan (sung by Noel) Don’t Look Back in Anger (sung by Noel) Wonderwall Champagne Supernova
Australian Oasis’ ‘Live ‘25’ Tour Dates Friday, Oct. 31 -– Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia (*show completed) Saturday, Nov 1 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia Tuesday, Nov. 4 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia Friday, Nov. 7 — Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia Saturday, Nov. 8 — Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia
