Oasis makes its audience the rock ‘n’ roll star at the Rose Bowl

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On Saturday evening at the Rose Bowl, Noel Gallagher surveyed the crowd and singled out a fan up front. “Young woman,” he called out, trying to listen for her response, “What’s your name?” As he conversed, a camera zeroed in on a lady wearing an Oasis shirt, who was visibly crying – _openly bawling_, as it were. “Apparently, she’s been crying all night,” Gallagher noted, “I hope that’s not because of the performance!

In close proximity, indeed: Ever since kicking off its reunion tour in early July, Oasis – the iconic British rock band, formed by Gallagher on guitar and his younger brother Liam on lead vocals back in the ’90s – has been jet-setting across the globe, eliciting intense emotions wherever it performs. On social media, there’s a surge of memes likening the emotional release at an Oasis concert to therapeutic treatment; several spectators have even proposed that joining masses of people to croon along with the Gallaghers’ tunes could potentially alleviate the problem of male loneliness.

With record-breaking ticket sales and temporary merchandise shops, the nightly cleansing ritual has elevated Oasis Live ’25 – marking their first tour in over a decade and a half – to be this year’s equivalent of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Indeed, an event like this was bound to happen: In a time when technology seems to be growing more distant, people are instinctively seeking chances for genuine human interaction (one reason why thousands recently spent money to attend a cinema and rewatch Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” with fellow audience members, whether it was their second, fifth, or twelfth viewing).

Despite some uncertainty, I wouldn’t have predicted that this was an old rock band with three guitarists capable of such a performance, let alone referring to this specific group. The sold-out show at the Rose Bowl on Saturday marked their first date after a 31-year gap since their almost disbandment in 1994, following a turbulent gig at the Whisky a Go Go. As legend has it, the Gallagher brothers, known for their feuds, had mistaken crystal meth for cocaine and nearly fought. Their band, Oasis, officially split up in 2009, and for years afterward, they traded sharp barbs through the media.

The specifics on how Noel (aged 58) and Liam (52), who seemingly reconciled, have not been disclosed; it’s speculated that a generous amount of money could be the reason behind their reunion. As they embark on their journey, Oasis is joined by Paul Arthurs (nicknamed Bonehead), as well as Gem Archer on guitar, Andy Bell on bass, Joey Waronker on drums, and Christian Madden on keyboards. At the Rose Bowl, a diverse range of stars such as Paul McCartney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Billie Eilish, James Hetfield from Metallica, Laufey, and MGK were spotted. The eclectic list speaks volumes about the enduring popularity of classic Oasis hits like “Wonderwall,” “Roll With It,” “Some Might Say,” “Champagne Supernova,” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” The last one was a song dedicated by Noel to the emotional woman seen weeping joyfully in the front row.

On Saturday, the songs truly stole the show. Oasis delivered an outstanding performance, with their three guitars growling and sparkling above solid rhythms that straddled a unique blend of punk, glam, and late-Beatles melody; Liam’s voice was both powerful and sugary as he gracefully attempted the high notes with a touch of playful nonchalance. Moreover, the Gallagher brothers added a charming touch to their performance, such as when Liam (ever looking dapper in his trademark sunglasses and anorak) placed a tambourine on his head and issued cryptic cheers to Woody Woodpecker and the sword swallowers in attendance.

Instead of being flashy, this pop show was surprisingly low-key; Oasis’ comeback performance feels more about the audience than the band itself. It’s just as much about the crowd singing along to the music as it is about the musicians performing it. One song after another used an instructional tone: “Acquiesce,” “Bring It On Down,” “Fade Away,” “Stand By Me,” “Cast No Shadow,” “Slide Away” – each was a request that was happily followed until the next one came, and they were all abstract enough to fulfill various emotional desires. (“Someday you will find me / Caught beneath the landslide / In a Champagne supernova in the sky” remains delightfully enigmatic.)

Due to their exceptional efforts in uniting the audience throughout the concert, by the end, one couldn’t help but yearn for a heartfelt moment between the Gallagher brothers. Fittingly, during the final performance, Liam encircled Noel, then patted him on the back as the concluding notes of “Champagne Supernova” echoed and fireworks painted the sky with smoky illumination. Although it was a small gesture, it was more than enough to satisfy the longing for brotherly camaraderie.

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2025-09-07 22:31