British rock band Oasis reunite in Cardiff, thrilling fans

After more than 16 years apart, British rock icons Oasis reunited on stage in Cardiff on Friday. Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher set aside their lengthy feud to deliver a performance filled with hits, transporting thousands of fans back to the energetic era of 1990s Britpop.

The band, which became synonymous with the "Britpop" scene through Noel's songwriting and Liam's distinctive vocals, had disbanded due to tensions between the siblings.

Stepping onto the stage of the massive 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium, Oasis kicked off their sellout comeback show with "Hello," sounding notably tight and powerful.

During the two-hour set, interaction with the vast audience was sparse. Communication between the Gallagher brothers themselves was non-existent for most of the night, concluding only with a brief embrace at the very end of the show.

The crowd, largely composed of fans in their 40s reliving their youth, enthusiastically sang along to classic tracks including "Cigarettes & Alcohol," "Supersonic," and "Roll With It."

Towards the close of "Live Forever," screens behind the band displayed a picture of Liverpool and Portugal footballer Diogo Jota, who had tragically passed away in a car accident the day prior.

The concert wrapped up with a trio of anthems from their seminal 1995 album, "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?", Britain's best-selling record of the 1990s: "Don’t Look Back in Anger," "Wonderwall," and "Champagne Supernova."

"Thank you for putting up with us over the years," Liam Gallagher remarked to the cheering fans.

Adam Williams, a 42-year-old attendee from North Wales who last saw Oasis perform in 2008, felt the reunion show surpassed their previous performance, stating, "They were probably better than they were then."

The band had announced their reunion concerts nearly a year in advance, triggering a massive rush for tickets.

Music journalist Mark Sutherland commented to Reuters that the Oasis reunion holds particular significance because it fulfills a desire many fans had given up hope of ever seeing come true.

Fans began gathering outside the stadium early, with some eagerly purchasing official Adidas-Oasis football shirts, priced at 85 pounds (approximately $116).

"They’re more than a band, it’s almost like a movement," shared 48-year-old fan Matt Hobman, describing Oasis as "a piece of Britishness."

Joining the Gallagher brothers on stage were original member Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, alongside Gem Archer, Andy Bell, and Joey Waronker.

Many fans reported waiting hours in online queues to purchase tickets only to find prices surged due to dynamic pricing mechanisms just as they reached the point of purchase.

This situation prompted Britain's competition watchdog to launch an investigation into Ticketmaster regarding the sale process, specifically the use of dynamic pricing to inflate costs at the last moment.

"Are you having a good time?" Liam jested with the crowd, seemingly referencing the high prices. "Was it worth the 40,000 pounds you paid for the ticket?"

Oasis is scheduled for one more performance in Cardiff before heading to their hometown of Manchester. The tour itinerary includes further dates across Britain and Ireland, followed by shows in North and South America, Asia, and Australia.