Thirty years is a lifetime in music—trends fade, legends rise and fall, and generations come and go. In that span, a man could build a family, launch a business, witness economies crumble, and see history rewritten. Love stories unfold, degrees are earned, and the world even endures the chaos of a pandemic. Yet, few things stand as timeless as “Definitely Maybe”, the 1994 Oasis masterpiece that refuses to age. Decades later, its anthems still echo, igniting the same raw energy and passion that made it an era-defining classic.
The album shot straight to the top of the UK charts, following a string of hit singles, including “Live Forever”, the third release that solidified Oasis’ place on the global music scene. The fourth single, “Cigarettes & Alcohol”, with its compelling opening riff, marked the final track released from the album.
Considered one of the most influential and successful British bands, Oasis stands proudly alongside other legendary acts such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Queen. From their rise to fame in the 1990s to their upcoming reunion tour, Oasis continues to captivate fans with its distinct Britpop style.
On August 27, 2024, the iconic British rock group announced their “Oasis Live ’25 Reunion Tour” via their official website, sparking excitement among fans after a 15-year break filled with solo ventures. The tour kicks off in Wales in July, and fans can buy Oasis Cardiff tickets from Seatsnet.com
While many are eager to see how Liam and Noel’s relationship unfolds during this reunion, there’s no mention yet of McGuigan, Bonehead, or Tony McCarroll being part of the tour. Fans still hope for the return of the original lineup.
The announcement has ignited enthusiasm among Oasis’ devoted followers, particularly noticeable on the midweek albums chart, reflecting the anticipation surrounding the band’s return.
The “Oasis Live ’25” tour is set to be a nostalgic journey for fans, marking the band’s return after years of back-and-forth tensions and long silences. This reunion is more than a comeback for Oasis—it’s an opportunity to reclaim their legacy and reconcile with fans after the bitter split in 2009. The band has promised to deliver an unforgettable show, solidifying their place in rock history.
Oasis has had a storied career in their three-decade musical journey. From public brawls to setting records for the most concert attendees, etc., here are nine interesting facts you need to know about Oasis ahead of the 2025 reunion tour.
Noel Gallagher writes 80% of Oasis’ songs
Of all the original songs composed by Oasis, 105 were credited to Noel Gallagher (with some tracks receiving sample credits from other artists). Liam Gallagher is credited with writing 13 songs, while one, “Love Like a Bomb”, was co-written by Liam Gallagher and Gem Archer. Five songs were credited to Gem Archer, and another five were written by Andy Bell. The remainder of the songs are covers.
Nearly every one of their hit singles was written by Noel, except for Liam’s contribution in “Heathen Chemistry”, with the song “Songbird” being solely his work.
When did Oasis break up?
After years of tension and struggles, Oasis officially split in August 2009. The band was scheduled to perform at the “Rock en Seine” festival in Paris, but instead, Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke appeared on stage to inform the crowd that the Gallagher brothers would not be performing.
Noel Gallagher stated on the band’s website two hours later: “It is with some sadness and great relief… I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I could not continue working with Liam a day longer.”
Why did Oasis break up?
As previously mentioned, the Gallagher brothers had a tumultuous relationship. Their dynamic was like Schrödinger’s cat: constantly teetering between breaking up and staying together, with no clear resolution. Ultimately, the combination of brotherly animosity, a changing music industry, a revolving door of band members, the decline of the Britpop movement, and diminishing critical praise for each new album led to their downfall. It’s astonishing that they even made it to 2009!
Numerous incidents would have ended most bands, including no-shows at gigs, Noel hitting Liam with a cricket bat for bringing a party to the studio while Noel tried to work, personal conflicts, and various brawls. Ultimately, as Liam shared with Radio X, Noel couldn’t handle the “vibes” anymore. He couldn’t keep up with the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle and switched to a more “cosmic pop” direction, resembling a “Leo Sayer” style.
Who owns the rights to Oasis’ songs?
Noel Gallagher retains the rights to Oasis’ catalogue and the management’s share. Liam discovered this when he tried to use their songs in his documentary “As You Were”. Noel and his management blocked the unrestricted use of the tracks, which led Liam to express his frustration, telling Sky News: “Him and his little people saw it and took the Oasis music out of it because that’s all he’s got left, d’ya know what I mean. It doesn’t make me sad, it makes me fing mad. I’m not a py, I’m not sad about it, I want to break his fing jaw and his daft manager, but that’s what happens. I’m not sad about it, I didn’t go home and cry, I just wanted to go and f***ing put their windows through.”
Adding to Liam’s frustration, he has to pay a small cut of his concert earnings to Sony/ATV Music due to Performing Rights Society royalties for the songs Noel controls. As Noel pointed out in 2018, “When he’s headlining “Finsbury Park”, I’m sitting here watching “Match of the Day” getting a PRS cheque for him playing my songs.”
Currently, Noel is contemplating selling the rights to the Oasis catalogue. He explained to Apple Music, “Well, I get mine [the rights to his catalogue] back, all of it, in 2025, because I’ve been knocking years off the deal as opposed to taking money advances.” When Noel wholly owns the rights in 2025, he’s considering selling them to a licensing company.
Over two million people applied for tickets to attend their show at Knebworth.
Oasis is no stranger to playing for massive crowds, having toured extensively throughout the 1990s until their breakup in 2009. One of their most notable performances occurred at Knebworth House in 1996, where they performed across two days for a staggering 250,000 fans. With over 2.5 million people applying for Oasis tickets, the event still holds the highest demand for a concert in British history.
More than four per cent of the UK population tried to secure tickets to see Oasis at Knebworth, making it the country’s most significant demand for concert tickets ever recorded.
The band has captured similar excitement with their upcoming 2025 “Oasis Live” tour, for which 14 million people vied for 1.4 million tickets in the UK and internationally. If you could not get tickets, don’t worry—trusted ticket resellers like Seatsnet.com still offer purchase options.
They were named after a leisure centre
Contrary to what the name might suggest, Oasis was not named after a serene desert retreat but rather a leisure centre! The Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, featured on a band poster in the Gallagher brothers’ bedroom as they grew up, inspired the band’s name. The name stuck in Liam Gallagher’s mind!
Unfortunately, the Oasis Leisure Centre has now closed its doors permanently. The venue, which once housed a swimming pool, slides, and a wave machine, was forced to shut down after over 40 years in operation due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the strain of two national lockdowns.
Though Oasis never performed there, Noel Gallagher did visit the leisure centre in 1991 while working as a roadie on the Inspiral Carpets tour. During this time, Liam Gallagher suggested adopting the name “Oasis” instead of their previous name, “The Rain”, after seeing the leisure centre listed on an Inspiral Carpets tour poster.
“Supersonic” was written in a day
The band wrote and recorded their hit “Supersonic” in a single day! Noel penned the song in December 1993, which was recorded at a studio in Liverpool on the same day. Noel claims it took him less than a day to write—only half an hour—while the rest of the band enjoyed a takeaway meal.
Paul McGuigan nearly became a footballer
Of course, the Gallagher brothers weren’t the only members of Oasis. The band lineup could have looked quite different had the lead bassist, Paul McGuigan pursued a football career. He was a talented player and often played at Maine Road, where Liam and Noel spent time—unfortunately, a torn ligament ended his footballing aspirations.
Wonderwall is their most popular song
Released in 1995 on their second album, “What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”, “Wonderwall” became Oasis’ most iconic song. It remains hugely popular today and is a staple for aspiring guitarists. Why not give it a listen while you continue reading these facts?
Oasis’ classic hit “Wonderwall” has become the first song from the 90s to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.
The beloved Britpop anthem was released on October 30, 1995, as the third single from their critically acclaimed second studio album, “What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”. The track has seen a surge in streams following the 25th-anniversary edition of the album.
Though “Wonderwall” has become ubiquitous in internet memes and open mic nights, its lasting popularity is a testament to its broad appeal. The song’s simple yet impactful lyrics, combined with Noel Gallagher’s iconic vocals and the band’s signature wall of sound, have cemented it as an anthem that resonates across generations.
The song’s title is a nod to the 1968 film Wonderwall, for which George Harrison composed the soundtrack. This connection to The Beatles further solidifies Wonderwall’s place in rock history. Its inclusion in Oasis’ “Best Of” compilations and continued presence on radio playlists and streaming platforms speak to its enduring legacy. Interestingly, the working title for Wonderwall was initially “Wishing Stone.”
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