Oasis mania begins as L.A. fans descend on the band’s Hollywood pop-up shop

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In approximately three weeks, Oasis is set to perform two sold-out shows at the Rose Bowl, marking their first Los Angeles concerts in 15 years. This upcoming event has sent excitement soaring in Hollywood, with fans queuing outside the W Hotel as early as 8 a.m. on Wednesday. The hotel houses the band’s debut North American Oasis Live ’25 pop-up shop, which offers exclusive merchandise. Some enthusiasts were already sporting vintage Oasis T-shirts, while others were eagerly planning their outfits around purchases they intended to make.

For a band with a Los Angeles history spanning both catastrophe and triumph, the pop-up’s strategic location in Hollywood seems purposeful, as it resides across the street from Amoeba Music, just a stone’s throw away from the renowned Capitol Records Building where they recorded sessions for their 2005 album “Don’t Believe the Truth.” The famous Palace (now Avalon), where they performed in 1995, is also just a few blocks away.

As soon as spectators were allowed in at 10 a.m., it seemed less like a store opening and more like a spiritual journey. This wasn’t shopping therapy to alleviate sadness; instead, it was quite the contrary. Fans were bursting with joy, anxiously waiting to be among the first to grab items from the collection.

With Oasis’ melodies filling the air, the space seamlessly fused together the past and present, accompanied by an aura of exclusivity. Arranged neatly on the shelves were unique versions of vinyl records, such as mint green editions of “Definitely Maybe,” their iconic 1994 debut album, and burned yellow pressings of “What’s the Story (Morning Glory?)” – the album that introduced hits like “Champagne Supernova,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” and “Wonderwall.”

This simple yet engaging paraphrase aims to convey the same information as the original, but with a slightly different style and choice of words.

In simpler terms, “Billy Horn, an avid fan of Oasis, shared that the song ‘Wonderwall’ was his quote in his high school yearbook. Dressed casually in an old Oasis T-shirt and holding a vintage vinyl of ‘Heathen Chemistry’, he was adding it to his personal record collection.

Many shoppers exited the store laden with multiple items such as T-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, and popular Liam-style bucket hats. These purchases often ranged in price from $45 to $100. Some enthusiastic fans were even sporting their new goods before completing their transactions. The merchandise collection additionally encompasses tote bags, coffee mugs, keychains, and jigsaw puzzles.

A group of passionate admirers embarked on a journey to visit the store. Jennifer Wyatt and Joanne Manahan traveled from San Diego specifically for this trip and have plans to return for both Rose Bowl performances. For Wyatt, these concerts will be her inaugural Oasis experience. “During the early ’90s, Oasis was all I listened to,” she remarked, going on to explain why she had missed them during their initial run. “I thought I had plenty of time to see them and assumed they’d last forever.” Now, she is carefully coordinating her attire with the burgundy Oasis Adidas jacket she intends to buy, eagerly looking forward to watching the band that she grew up cherishing.

Among shoppers, the collaboration between Oasis and Adidas is a significant attraction. Enthusiasts rushed to examine the merchandise, quickly putting together outfits from head to toe and admiring themselves in the numerous full-length mirrors throughout the store. Following a career characterized by swift ascent, dramatic feuds, an illustrious split, and a universally praised reunion, Oasis has undeniably earned its rock-and-roll credentials, making the partnership with Adidas seem particularly suitable.

A devoted fan like Shane Yamada epitomized the fusion of Oasis and Adidas. He managed to secure entry to both Wembley Stadium reunion concerts as well as tickets for both Rose Bowl dates. What set him apart was the Adidas tattoo he sported. During a shopping spree with his wife Jewel and their 2-year-old daughter Paisley, he was buying Oasis kids’ clothing for Paisley, specifically a sweatshirt and T-shirt.

It’s quite surprising, indeed, that the notoriously contentious Gallagher brothers have ventured into family clothing, even creating Oasis onesies for infants. This move, however, seems to encapsulate the wide-reaching popularity of Oasis, as evidenced by their pop-up store. On one end of the age spectrum, diehard fan Jeff Zoleta showed up with his 78-year-old mother Nila, who developed a fondness for the band due to her sons’ enthusiasm. She was purchasing two bucket hats and a tote bag for herself, demonstrating that Oasis’ appeal spans multiple generations.

The excitement of fans for the merchandise couldn’t help but overflow into the entire pop-up shop, aiming to envelop customers in the Oasis experience. At a setting reminiscent of their album “Definitely Maybe,” patrons can snap photos, some going as far as replicating Liam’s pose on the album cover by lying down. Inside the store, you’ll find interactive digital maps detailing the band’s history. By clicking on different cities, you can view every local show they played, including Oasis’ memorable debut at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles in 1994. This event was marked by various issues such as technical problems, conflicting set lists, and Liam throwing a tambourine at Noel, leading to a brief exit and a trip to San Francisco.

Mikeal Maglieri Jr., then just 15 and the owner of Whisky, remembers over the phone that the band’s performance was chaotic to an unprecedented extent. By the time the concert took place, they seemed disorganized and falling apart. They started the wrong song on multiple occasions, and one member was playing a different tune than the rest. The entire show turned out to be a nightmarish performance.

Despite a rocky start in Los Angeles, Oasis made up for it and more by continually returning to the city and playing progressively larger venues until they filled the Staples Center in 2008. However, the band’s success was short-lived as they disbanded the following year after a backstage altercation between Noel and Liam at a music festival near Paris. On August 28, Noel decided to leave the band just before their scheduled headlining performance.

Danny Winebarger shared his feelings, “I was heartbroken when they split up. I’d hoped they would argue and reconcile within a year or two, but I didn’t realize it would be 15 years.” He recently attended one of their concerts in Manchester and holds tickets for the Rose Bowl event too. In his quest for an Oasis football jersey that was out of stock in his size at their U.K. stores, he visited the pop-up shop.

Stories such as Winebarger’s showcase a lifelong dedication and a lasting enthusiasm that is shared by all who stepped foot in the store. Roy Kim, a self-proclaimed “ardent admirer,” having attended an Oasis concert at least six times, mused on the British rockers’ continued charm: “Their music possesses a classic essence. It resonates deeply with our shared human experience and emotions. There’s something for everyone to relate to.

Kim expressed his admiration for Oasis’ bold, unapologetic demeanor that has been a defining characteristic of theirs, extending beyond their discography. This confident swagger was evident when they announced their U.S. tour dates, with the statement “America, Oasis is coming. You still have one last chance to show us how much you’ve always loved us.” The impact was swift as tickets for the shows sold out in just an hour.

The very same enthusiasm was now permeating through the Hollywood pop-up, as fans hummed with anticipation, almost as though the band was about to start performing. With barely more than two weeks left until Oasis madness engulfs Los Angeles completely, this preliminary performance suggests that September promises a surge of electricity.

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2025-08-22 00:31