The first time Pablo Tiley saw Oasis was in March 1994, a month before the release of their debut single, “Supersonic.” They were alternating headliner spots with British rock group Whiteout and that night, at the Fleece and Firkin in Bristol, England, it was Oasis’ turn to open. The Fleece was “a very spit and sawdust kind of place,” Tiley, now 51, tells Rolling Stone. The kind of spot where the promoter fulfills the rider personally (and what they often did then was “just make a big pot of chili” for the bands), the kind of place where the bands would just hang out in the crowd after their sets.
“Noel [Gallagher] stood near us watching Whiteout,” Tiley recalls. “I remember having a few small chats with him. And Liam was in the corridor, where the gents and the ladies were, and he was just chatting to a couple of fans. And I said to Liam, actually — I was probably being a bit of a dickhead, really — but I said to him, ‘Brilliant set, mate, I hope you make it — I think you will.’ There was tongue slightly in cheek, a little bit of English irony if you like. And he was like, ‘Cheers, mate. Thanks very much.’”
Tiley saw Oasis four more times after that, including their legendary headlining set at Glastonbury in 1995. And like countless others, he’s thrilled he might just get the chance to see them again now that the Gallagher brothers have ostensibly settled their feud well enough to play a bunch of massive reunion shows next summer. “I’ve got a 15-year-old daughter, and she’s going to get to see or experience what I experienced,” he says.
Following Tuesday’s announcement, Rolling Stone spoke with many diehard Oasis fans. Some were on the younger side, learning about the band through parents or older siblings; others, like Tiley, were lucky enough to experience Oasis in their heyday. Pretty much everyone was thrilled about the reunion, if not still incredulous that this day had actually arrived. Even a longtime moderator for the Oasis fan forum, Live4Ever, who was skeptical about the idea of a reunion — “To me, what’s done is done, Oasis is (was) done,” she wrote — was fretting over how difficult it will be to get tickets when they go on sale this weekend.
Below are excerpts from conversations with these seven fans. Most were conducted over the phone, though two (where noted) were done via email.
Pablo Tiley, 51, Bristol, England
There’s a myth in the Bristol music scene that loads of people — there must be about 400-or-so people that say they were [at Oasis’ 1994 show at the Fleece & Firkin]. The reality was, there was probably 30. I was one, and my brother was my co-pilot for that gig. It was not packed at all.
That night, Whiteout were the headliners, and Oasis was support. I got there probably about 7:15, I actually missed the first couple of songs. Even then, in the early days, they were fully formed. There was just something about them that set them apart. I’ve never known such live energy from a five-piece band.
I saw them another two times [in 1994]. I saw them at Glastonbury, I think it was a Saturday afternoon. There wasn’t a massive crowd… It was small enough that there was one guy in a Manchester United shirt, and they pointed him out and gave him a little bit of abuse. [The Gallagher brothers are both devoted fans of United’s crosstown rivals, Manchester City.]
I saw them again in December, after [the band’s debut album Definitely Maybe] had been out, and they were just about to bring out “Whatever” as a single. They were fully formed rock stars. There was a pause in the set, and they brought out an orchestra, and it was just like, “Woah! This is unreal.” I was all in at that point.
The next year was when they headlined Glastonbury on the Pyramid Stage. At that point, they were just swagger. The first song was “Fucking in the Bushes,” and Bonehead was almost sliding around on his knees. I didn’t see them again until 2002, the tour for Heathen Chemistry. And that was literally a week or so after Alan White, the second drummer, and Liam apparently got into a fight — they were saying it was the German mafia, but I don’t know how true that was [it was four estate agents and a computer salesman] — and Liam got his teeth knocked out. There were question marks about whether or not the gig was going to go ahead. We figured maybe Noel might be the vocalist that night. And then Liam swaggered onto the stage with a tambourine, and the crowd went mental.
I suppose they’re my generation’s Smiths. You had the Bowie fans in the Seventies, the Beatles in the Sixties. [Oasis] kind of felt like, finally, we’ve got this era-defining band. The interesting thing we’re seeing at the moment, with all the media frenzy, and the social media, there is a bit of gatekeeping going on — all these 50-year-olds going, “I resent the fact there’s going to be kids there, where were they?” But I actually really like that it’s introducing their songs and live performances to a new generation. I’ve got a 15-year-old daughter, and she’s going to get to see or experience what I experienced — if we get tickets, obviously.
Natalie, 49, Oxford, England (via email)
Last few days have been like Christmas. It’s so unreal, I still can’t believe it, or get my head around it! I’ve wanted it for so long there was a little part of me that was doubtful, as I really didn’t want to get my hopes up.
I’ve loved Oasis since my early 20s — it’s all I ever listen to, and drove my friends nuts with my obsession! I had a housewarming party and got moaned at as I played Oasis all night and my mates wanted dance music! Liam’s voice was just something different — the rawness and uniqueness of it. As soon as you heard one of their songs, you knew straight away it was them — a rare thing!
I was lucky enough to see the lads four times, including the Knebworth gig. Best gig for me was at Milton Keynes Bowl in 2005, although I nearly got crushed when the lads came on stage. I was four rows from the front to the side. A massive surge happened, and my mate grabbed me as I was going down. Thank God he did or I would’ve been stood on!
I hope they have the same chemistry onstage as back in the Nineties. It’s going to be weird seeing them live again (hopefully if I can get tickets!). There is a little part of me that worries they will fall out again but we will just have to keep our fingers crossed!
I’m so nervous for Saturday. I have a bubbly tummy and if I don’t get tickets I will be devastated. I want to take my 13-year-old son — he’s Oasis mad just like me and plays the guitar. He’s getting really great and is constantly trying to learn Oasis tracks, which makes me immensely proud that he’s got such great taste!
Will be sat with my laptop, phone and tablet Saturday morning trying to get tickets will be the most stressful time of my life! Bring back phoning and queuing for tickets as the whole online thing is just joke bots and touts everywhere.
Chris Black, 41, Atlanta, Georgia
Since Noel announced his divorce, everyone knew this was coming. I’ve been hearing from different friends in the music industry, people who work for management, for different booking agencies, this is happening… Honestly, I think the divorce is the major factor. [Gallagher and his ex-wife, the publicist Sara MacDonald, split in Jan. 2023 after 12 years of marriage.] Having to write a $20, $30 million check will make you do things you didn’t think you would never do, and the fans are benefiting from that.
Liam’s solo records always have a couple songs; I like Noel’s, too. But it’s crazy how much they need each other. And that’s the beauty of the band, in general.
I got into them when I was in middle school. At that point, they were on alternative radio in America. It didn’t sound like anything else, as far as that genre goes. I saw them in 2005 [at the Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta] with my friend Mike. We got super high in the car before and really went in there in the right mindset. I remember [Liam] wearing a white parka and balancing a tambourine on his head, and if that’s the only memory I have, I’m happy. It was beautiful, poetic.
In the U.K., [Oasis is] part of the fabric of the culture. They’re working class, they wear Stone Island, they wear CP Company, they were the leaders of the Cool Britannia movement — they were the biggest celebrities you had. And in the U.K., music like that has always been more popular. In America, whether people realize it or not, you can’t be that big and cool [as a rock band]. It just doesn’t really happen. I love the Killers; they’re one of my favorite bands — but they’re not cool. They’re big, but they’re not cool. Oasis has stayed cool and big, and I just don’t think we do that here… America does pop stars really well, but the U.K. does bands and gives them their due.
“They were just people like us. And I think they’ve stayed like that… They’re the last rock and roll stars”
Thomas, 37
I will definitely go to Wembley [for the reunion shows]. I’m sure I’m gonna have to pay a fortune because I’m not gonna get a ticket — I’ll have to buy it on StubHub. I’ve never been to a show that big, 90,000 people. All my friends are basically like, “Yeah, whatever it costs, we’re going.”
They’re gonna make it [to the reunion]. I have seen a lot of that chatter [that they won’t], and that’s just bad attitude — that’s what I’m chalking that up to. It’s funny, of course, because that possibility is real. But I think the anticipation, the payday, is too crazy. Look, if they did do that, it would make them even more legendary, which is the sad part [laughs]. But for my sake, I hope they don’t. I hope they make it to the stage.
Thomas, 37, Sheffield, England
I don’t think anybody believed [the rumors] until the teaser came up. There’s been so many times when it’s been, “Oh yeah, it’s definitely gonna happen,” and then nothing.
My brother, he’s nine years older, so when Oasis were coming out, he was the perfect age. We live in Sheffield, which is the north of England, sort of level with Manchester, and that whole scene was just built up with bands like Oasis and Pulp. And then the rivalry [Oasis] created with Blur [from London], there was sort of a North vs. South thing, where the North we were all for Oasis.
They were working-class people. Noel writing all these songs in a bedsit; they came from all the small venues around where we lived, mostly Manchester. They became a phenomenon; I was trying to put a finger on it, and that’s the only thing I can think of — they were just people like us. And I think they’ve stayed like that, you know what I mean? They’re the last rock and roll stars.
I never saw them when I was younger. I actually asked [my brother] earlier, and he never got a chance. So this time we’re laser-focused to get onto it. I’m probably going to be lead ticket person. I’ve got my friend, who said if they get in, they’ll get some tickets. I’ve got my brother, my nieces, my brother’s friends. It’s gonna be the most carnage — it’s Saturday, it’ll be payday for most people the day before. You know what Ticketmaster’s like. It’s gonna be absolute carnage.
Georgia, 22, Birmingham, England
I was at Leeds Festival the whole weekend. Rumors were starting, but they just start all the time. I saw Liam [play] on Friday, and he was just joking about the weather and things. Then they showed the date [teaser] at the end of the Leeds and Reading, and I was like, “Oh, something’s actually going on here.” I got my hopes up, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up fully because if this was just another record announcement, I was gonna be really disappointed.
My brother gets up for work early, about quarter past six; I heard him up [Tuesday morning] and I literally couldn’t get back to sleep — just the nerves! When it was announced, I was stunned. When the news broke, most of my family and friends messaged me like, “Do you need help trying to get tickets?” All hands are on deck.
My dad, when we were younger, always had music on, and it was always Oasis. That was our thing. When he passed away, at his funeral, there were Oasis songs. I’ve got two Oasis tattoos — one’s the Definitely Maybe [cover] because that’s our favorite album. And then I have a “Wonderwall” tattoo, which was one of the songs we had at his funeral.
He was meant to see them in the Nineties, and I can’t remember what happened, but he ended up not going and was really mad. And he was like, “If they ever get back together, we’re going.” So when they dropped the news, I was obviously just absolutely buzzing, but at the same time, it was like, being able to take my dad would have been insane. I never thought it was gonna happen, so when now that it has… I am quite attached to the band, so I feel like if I don’t get tickets, it’s gonna be absolutely wounding.
I love both of them separately, but to see [Noel and Liam] together is just going to be a whole other thing… My mom is dying to go as well. She saw them in the Nineties. My brother, he’s trying as well. We’re a very Oasis household, so Saturday’s gonna be a very stressful day.
Mimmihopps (global moderator on the Live4ever Forum), “older than I wish to be,” the Netherlands (via email)
I didn’t want [Oasis] to reunite, but I was hoping that Noel and Liam would reunite as brothers one day. It’s been quite hectic the past two days. It started last Friday when more people “in the know” said that the reunion was 100 percent, yet I was hoping it would be a false alarm. Watching the BBC keep airing Oasis-related stuff made me nervous that it really might happen.
I got into Oasis while watching Glastonbury on TV on June 25, 2004. They broadcast nearly the entire set live. I knew Oasis from their name, and I probably heard “Wonderwall” before but never paid attention to them. While I was watching them and the intro of “Acquiesce” kicked in, the audience went nuts, then I thought, “Wow.” … Their music, especially lyrics, have so much positivity — life is worth living no matter how harsh it might be.
I saw them four times. At Summer Sonic Festival in Tokyo in Aug. 2005, half my body was burnt by the sun as I was in the stadium the whole day. Oasis came on 45 minutes late. Packed in the stadium, I could barely see them, only on the big screen, but I was so happy. The last time I saw Oasis — Jan. 2009 [in Amsterdam], I was at the barrier both nights. First night in front of Liam, and the second night in front of Noel. Rain was pouring when we stood in the queue outside on the second night, so we were soaked when the door of the venue finally opened. After the gig, I lost my coat. It got lost in the cloak room. It was my favorite coat and I never found it. So in freezing cold January night, I had to go back to the hotel without my coat.
I might cry if they play “Acquiesce” [at the reunion shows]. I hope Bonehead joins them. I met him when he joined Liam’s tour, and he’s a top lad! I also met Noel twice (always grumpy), and I met Liam once (surprisingly very gentle). I loved them both, and I still do. I hope to get the tickets on Saturday, but it will be very, very hard. It still seems unreal to me that they got back together. I really need to witness with my own eyes that they’re playing together on stage before I can fully believe it. Oasis were/are/always will be the best.
Alec Thomson (Welshylad), 41, South Wales
I became a fan when I was around 11. I think I heard them on the radio. Something made me like them, and 30 years later, and I’m still obsessed [laughs]. On my webpage, I’ve collected live recordings of them for the better part of 30 years. My life revolves around the band — Oasis, until they split up, but then [Liam’s band] Beady Eye, Liam’s solo, [Noel Gallagher’s] High Flying Birds.
My dad took me to see them the first time; he took me to London to watch them when I was about 13, I think. This was their peak in 1997, and ever since then, I’ve just tried to get as many tickets as I can and go to whatever gigs I can. I don’t know the exact number, but I think Oasis, I’ve seen around 35 times. I’ve seen Liam probably about 10 or 12 times; the High Flying Birds 10 or 12 times; I saw Beady Eye probably 15 to 20 times. All in all, I’ve probably seen the brothers around 100 times.
The first [show] I went to [without my parents] is probably my favorite. The Be Here Now tour — that’s one of my favorite albums — at Wembley Stadium in 2000. I don’t know if you know the concert, but Liam was really, really, really drunk, and it was televised. Noel has actually said recently that was Oasis’ worst-ever gig. But, while you were there, it was absolutely amazing [laughs].
[The last time I saw them] was on the 2009 tour, just before they split up. It might have been Cardiff. No [it didn’t feel like the end]. You know what they’re like — they’re always arguing and stuff like that. We didn’t think nothing of it, to be honest. It was just like, here we go again. The gig was brilliant. Me and my mates went to about three or four shows on that tour.
The furthest I traveled [to see them] was Barcelona, probably. I almost saw them in Japan. I went to Japan on holiday, and I don’t know how I did it, but I didn’t realize they were playing a festival there and completely missed it.
After the first gig I went to in 1997, I went online, and I must have stumbled across a live recording website. I’d actually like to give a shout-out here because he’s been missing for a year now, and he’s an absolutely massive part of the Oasis community: his name is John Keaveney, his nickname is Johnky. I basically found his website and was like, “Hey, I went to this gig, could I trade for a copy of the video?” And, yeah, just got obsessed. It’s been built for the last 30 years. It’s my favorite part — the live gigs, the videos, the audio. You get the atmosphere of the crowd. I prefer audience recordings to some of the professional recordings, personally.
There are a few people around my age, probably a bit older, saying, “Look, it was amazing when it was, leave it there.” But I’d say the majority of people are absolutely going nuts. People who don’t even like them really, it seems everyone wants to see them. The U.K. have gone absolutely insane. Tbe honest, I’m not hopeful [of getting tickets]. It’s extremely hard to get them anyway, for any big gig. I’m nervous, put it that way [laughs]. I’ve asked family members to log on as well.
There’s a lot of talk online about the younger kids — they shouldn’t be going, they weren’t even born when Oasis were out. And I kind of don’t agree with that. It’s time for them to have their chance as well. But, people like me have supported the band for 30 years, and I do feel a bit like, “Well, I deserve to go more than them.” But you can’t stop anyone, and they deserve it as well.
