Cardiff, Wales — Rock band Oasis has made a highly anticipated return to the stage, captivating over 70,000 fans during its first performance in 16 years at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on July 4. The reunion tour, sparked by unexpected camaraderie among the band members, has reignited the excitement of Britpop fans worldwide.
At the center of this revival is Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, the band’s former guitarist, who Noel Gallagher credits as pivotal in mending the long-standing rift between the Gallagher brothers. During the second night of performances at the same venue, Noel acknowledged Bonehead when introducing the band, stating, “On guitar, if it wasn’t for him, none of this would have happened.” This remark underscores Bonehead’s influence in bringing the iconic band back together after years of discord.
Arthurs, who was a key member during the band’s formative years and contributed to their first three albums, rejoined Oasis for this landmark tour. After departing in 1999, he remained active in the music scene, playing with Liam Gallagher’s solo acts. His presence has proven instrumental in reigniting the band’s spark, culminating in a series of homecoming shows that have drawn enthusiastic crowds.
The reunion performance began with Noel and Liam Gallagher stepping on stage hand in hand, a gesture reflecting the reconciliation between the once-feuding brothers. They kicked off the night with the energetic track “Hello,” signaling a triumphant comeback. Enthusiastic fans cheered, eager to celebrate the return of the Britpop legends.
Amid the excitement, humor was also present as the two brothers made jabs at Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing, which they claimed to know nothing about. The opening night also paid tribute to the late Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, whose passing earlier that week cast a somber note on the festivities, as Oasis performed their emotional anthem “Live Forever.”
Music critics and fans alike have praised the reunion, with one reviewing the first concert as a reimagined Oasis suitable for the current era. According to them, the band blended their classic hits with updated visual spectacles that resonated with both new and long-time followers. Fans expressed overwhelming joy, with some claiming the reunion was “better than Jesus’ return” and others calling it “the moment we were all waiting for.”
Oasis is set to continue their tour with five homecoming performances at Manchester’s Heaton Park and seven nights at London’s Wembley Stadium. Additional stops include Edinburgh and Dublin, with an international leg slated to take them across North America, South America, Australia, South Korea, and Japan later in the tour.
As the band embarks on this monumental journey, the return of Oasis represents not just a revival of music but a restoration of brotherly bonds, resonating deeply with fans who have waited for this moment for over a decade.