Oasis plays first show in 16 years, thrilling fans in Cardiff tour kickoff

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Liam Gallagher (L) and Noel Gallagher (R) of Oasis perform during the opening night of their Live 25' Tour at Principality Stadium on July 04, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales.  (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Britpop legends Oasis made their long-anticipated return to the stage Friday night in Cardiff, Wales, ending a 16-year split that once seemed irreparable. 

The sold-out kickoff show at Principality Stadium marked the first of two nights in the city and the start of a global tour celebrating the band’s legacy.

Led by famously combative brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, Oasis delivered a raucous, two-hour set heavy on hits from their 1990s heyday—including "Wonderwall," "Don’t Look Back in Anger," and "Supersonic." 

A crowd of more than 60,000 fans sang along to every word, many having traveled from across the U.K. and beyond for what they called a once-in-a-generation moment.

What happened at Oasis’ first reunion show?

The backstory:

The Gallagher brothers had not shared a stage since Oasis’ 2009 breakup, which followed a backstage fight in France. 

Rumors of a reunion have swirled for years but always seemed to end in public insults between the two. That changed with the launch of the Live ’25 tour—a 19-date run through the U.K. and Ireland before heading to North America, South America, Asia, and Australia.

A pre-show video montage featured tabloid headlines chronicling the brothers’ years of sparring, ending with the words: "The guns have fallen silent." The band then launched into "Hello," with the refrain "It’s good to be back" ringing louder than ever.

Big picture view:

Noel, 58, played guitar and handled lead vocals on tracks like "Half the World Away," while Liam, 52, prowled the stage in a parka, tambourine in hand, delivering his signature sneer. 

The band’s classic lineup was mostly intact, including Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Gem Archer on guitar, Andy Bell on bass, and Joey Waronker on drums.

The set leaned heavily on "Definitely Maybe" and "(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?"—the band’s most iconic albums—featuring thunderous renditions of "Rock ‘n’ Roll Star" and "Roll With It." There was a moment of reflection during "Live Forever," when a tribute to late Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota was projected above the stage.

Fans paid hundreds for tickets, and many said it was worth every penny. "Was it worth the 40,000 pounds you paid for the ticket?" Liam joked mid-show. The roar in response said it all.

By the numbers:

Here’s a look at key moments from the launch of Oasis’ long-awaited reunion tour:

• 16 years since Oasis last performed live
• 60,000+ fans in attendance in Cardiff
• 19 U.K. and Ireland shows scheduled
• 900,000 tickets sold, according to Ticketmaster

How big is the reunion tour?

What's next:

The Live ’25 tour will continue through major stadiums in London, Dublin, and Manchester before heading abroad. International dates include stops in New York, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, and Sydney, with the tour set to wrap in São Paulo on November 23.

Despite the excitement, Oasis has not announced any plans to release new music. The tour is being marketed as a one-time event, though fan demand—and the size of the paydays—may keep the door open for more.