Brothers United: Oasis Reclaim Their Crown at Wembley
The familiar strains of “Fuckin’ in the Bushes” echoed across Wembley Stadium as the lights dimmed, building anticipation to a fever pitch. What followed was nothing short of a masterclass in British rock, as Liam and Noel Gallagher stepped onto the stage together for the first time in sixteen years, instantly erasing decades of bitter feuding with a single chord.
The reunion felt both surreal and inevitable. Playing before a pop-art-meets-psychedelia visual spectacle that never distracts but will look stunning on a phone, they seem the quintessential stadium band, playing the greatest hits of greatest hits, perfectly capturing the essence of what makes Oasis so enduringly magnetic. The stage production struck the perfect balance between spectacle and substance, allowing the songs to breathe while providing a visual feast that complemented rather than competed with the music.
From the opening moments, it became clear that the reunited band had lost none of their collective power. The expanded lineup featured not only the core Gallagher brothers but also Paul Arthurs returning on guitar and piano, alongside Gem Archer on guitar, Andy Bell on bass, and Joey Waronker behind the drums. The addition of Christian Madden on keyboards, Jessica Greenfield providing backing vocals, and a brass section including Alastair White on trombone, Steve Hamilton on saxophone, and Joe Auckland on trumpet performed a fuller, richer sound that elevated these familiar songs to new heights. Liam’s voice, weathered yet wonderfully preserved, delivered each lyric with the sneering confidence that made him an icon, while Noel’s guitar work remained as precise and melodically brilliant as ever.
After the opening tape of “Fuckin’ in the Bushes,” preceded by dialogue from “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” the band launched into “Hello” from ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’, immediately establishing the evening’s triumphant tone. The setlist proved to be a masterful journey through their catalog, with early highlights including the anthemic “Morning Glory” and the driving force of “Some Might Say,” each song met with increasingly rapturous reception from the packed stadium.
The evening’s pace shifted beautifully with “Bring It On Down,” cheekily dedicated “to the Mongolians” by Liam, before the raw energy of “Cigarettes & Alcohol” had the entire stadium moving as one. Deeper cuts like “Fade Away” and the relentless drive of “Supersonic” proved these songs translate perfectly to the massive venue, while “Roll With It” became an instant singalong moment.
A tender interlude arrived with “Talk Tonight,” dedicated to the ladies,” showcasing Liam’s softer vocal approach before “Half the World Away” provided one of the evening’s most poignant moments. The band navigated between eras effortlessly, with “Little by Little” and “D’You Know What I Mean?” from ‘Be Here Now’ proving their later material holds equal power in this setting.
The main set’s crescendo built through “Stand by Me,” “Cast No Shadow,” and the emotional weight of “Slide Away” before “Whatever” arrived with a playful snippet of The Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden” woven into the performance. “Live Forever” felt particularly poignant given the reunion context, while the set climaxed with “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star,” the opening track from ‘Maybe’ that launched their career three decades ago.
The encore began with “The Masterplan,” a B-side that proved equal to any album track, followed by band introductions that felt both ceremonial and genuinely warm. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” arrived with Noel taking lead vocals as he always did on the original, creating the evening’s most cathartic moment. The crowd’s voices rising in unison created a wall of sound that rivalled the band itself, a testament to these songs’ enduring place in British culture.
“Wonderwall” followed, transforming Wembley into the world’s largest karaoke venue as every voice joined in unison. The evening concluded with “Champagne Supernova,” its epic outro stretching toward infinity as fireworks lit up the London sky, a visual punctuation mark on an evening that felt genuinely historic.
Liam’s stage presence remained magnetic throughout. Between songs, his characteristic swagger and pointed comments to the crowd reminded everyone why he became such a compelling frontman. Meanwhile, Noel’s focus remained laser-sharp on the musical arrangements, his guitar lines cutting through the mix with surgical precision.
The deeper cuts proved equally compelling. B-sides like “Acquiesce” and “The Masterplan” showcased the band’s ability to craft songs that work equally well in intimate venues and vast stadiums. These weren’t just songs being performed; they were statements about the depth of the Gallagher songwriting catalogue beyond the obvious hits.
Technical aspects were flawless throughout the evening. The sound mix allowed every instrument to be heard clearly, a notable feat in a venue as large as Wembley. Waronker’s drumming provided the kind of rock-solid foundation that these anthemic songs demand, while the interplay between Arthur’s and Archer’s guitars created layers of texture that enhanced rather than cluttered the arrangements. The brass section added unexpected depth to certain songs, while Greenfield’s backing vocals provided perfect harmonic support during the bigger choruses.
The encore began with “The Masterplan,” followed by band introductions, a moment that felt both ceremonial and genuinely warm. By the time they launched into “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” the atmosphere had reached fever pitch. The evening concluded with “Wonderwall” and the epic “Champagne Supernova,” followed by a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the London sky.
As fireworks lit up the London sky at the concert’s end, it was impossible not to feel that something significant had occurred. This wasn’t merely a nostalgia trip or a cash grab; it was a genuine artistic statement that these songs, and this partnership, remain as vital as ever. The roar that greets them as they step on stage. A set full of wall-to-wall classics. The spine-tingling sensation of being in a crowd singing back every word. And especially the charisma, spark and intensity that only comes when Liam and Noel Gallagher are on-stage together perfectly encapsulated what made this evening so special.
The Gallagher brothers have returned not as mellowed veterans trading on past glories, but as musicians who understand their songs’ continuing relevance. In a world that often feels divided, Oasis provided two hours of pure unity, reminding everyone present why they fell in love with these songs in the first place. This was British rock at its most triumphant, delivered with the kind of confidence that only comes from knowing you’ve written some of the greatest songs of all time.
For those who witnessed the band’s rise in the 1990s, this felt like vindication. For younger fans experiencing these songs live for the first time, it was a masterclass in what stadium rock can achieve when executed with genuine passion and skill. The Live ’25 tour has only just begun, but if this performance is any indication, Oasis are back in the most meaningful way possible.
