Oasis starts comeback tour with euphoric Cardiff show

Once-warring brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher performed together onstage for the first time in 16 years, as their frenzy-inducing, record-breaking reunion tour got underway in Cardiff.

- ROISIN O'CONNOR

The Manchester-born siblings, who were embroiled in one of music’s most notorious feuds, appeared on top form for their first of three nights at the Principality Stadium, playing a setlist packed with classic hits, from “Hello” and “Some Might Say” to “(What's the Story) Morning Glory?” and “Cigarettes and Alcohol”.

The moment they walked onto the stage - after opening performances from Liverpool band Cast and fellow Britpop icon Richard Ashcroft - sparked an almighty roar from the 60,000 or so fans in attendance.

“Hello beautiful people, it's been too long,” Liam told the audience.

Joining Noel and Liam were Gem Archer, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs and Andy Bell, all former members of Oasis, and drummer Joey Waronker who has previously toured with Liam.

Contrary to predictions, the brothers appeared perfectly comfortable standing near one another onstage, even walking out holding their hands aloft.

Liam handled most of the crowd interactions, although these were kept to a minimum. The floor of the stadium shook during euphoric renditions of “Cigarettes and Alcohol” and “Roll With It”.

Fans travelled from all over the world to attend the first gig of the reunion tour, with many camping outside overnight in order to secure a prime spot near the stage.

Despite considerable doom-mongering that the shows would ignite a throwback to the lad culture of the Nineties, the Cardiff crowd seemed mostly on best behaviour - with the exception of a flare let off during Ashcroft's performance of “The Drugs Don't Work”, and plenty of flying pints.

The Oasis Live ‘25 tour, which was announced in August, was the biggest concert launch ever seen in the UK and Ireland, with more than 10 million fans from 158 countries queueing online in the hopes of bagging tickets.