S Poddar
Liam Gallagher has clapped back at fans who have let the Britpop legends hear their disappointment with their decision to play no young bands as support acts for their highly anticipated reunion tour. The reformed legendary Britpop band has just announced that veteran artist Richard Ashcroft will be the special guest for its 2025 UK and Ireland tour.
Ashcroft, the lead singer of the Verve, narrated to us how he feels about the fact, “As a fan from day one, I was buzzing for many reasons when news of Oasis came forth. No exaggeration, my songwriting talent was amened by the pure spirit of a lead vocalist as that of Noel and Liam. It was the perfection of ‘Live Forever’ that made me try to write my own.”
Indeed, while greeting many ecstatic fans of Oasis and The Verve, not everyone is thrilled with the supporting act handpicked by the band for their reunion tour. There are enough cry outs as the frustrated fans argue that the reunion tour would have been a perfect time to spotlight the emerging artists who later will be in the main stage and give chances to the upcoming young bands. Social media sites are filled with outcries of these frustrated fans who had a say in this, questioning Oasis’s proclivity to be nurturing the next generation.
Gallager, never one to shy away from a head-on response to criticism, took to X (formerly Twitter) in response to the complaints. In characteristic no-nonsense style, he wrote: “To all the folk who are crying about us not showing love to the young bands and not letting them support, there’s LEVELS to this game and I’m afraid 99% of ya are way off.”
These comments from the former Oasis frontman suggest that most of these newer bands don’t quite have it together yet. They are not ready for such a massive tour and all its pressure. He seems to say that there is a point of talent and experience at which one should take on such an opportunity, and that the younger bands haven’t even reached that point yet.
Everybody’s stickling for a piece of the action,” Gallagher says bluntly, speaking to a much broader debate in the music industry: how do established acts nurture emerging talent? For some fans, tours with such enormous, sellout crowds as Oasis’ reunion are precisely the best way to elevate new talent, while others share with Gallagher the opinion that no band is ready for that kind of megastage.
Over the past few years, many superstars have bent over backward to have newer artists on their tours so those younger artists can get a chance to perform in front of massive, established audiences. It is the opinion of Oasis’ critics that because of its influence and stature, this is now a good time for the band to pay it forward by supporting the next wave of musicians. However, in statements from Gallagher, one can sense that both he and the band hold differing opinions concerning the matter of how and when they should open doors to such opportunities.
That said, it’s probably too much to expect that Oasis would change the lineup of its tour following the negative reaction. Many are euphoric at the inclusion of Richard Ashcroft, especially among the ’90s Britpop fan, for this is one combination many can only hope for: Oasis and The Verve on a bill at last. The nostalgia alone will see it sell out arenas; for many, going back to witness that era which defined a generation is one good reason to go.
And of course, the response to the criticism from Gallagher is also part of his public persona: never one to pander or play nice when it comes to fan expectations. Over the years, an unapologetic attitude meant that he has, on occasion, drew criticism and endeared himself to fans who appreciate his authenticity. His latest comments suggest he’s far more interested in putting on a tour that meets his own really high standards than satisfied by appeasing the vocal minority of fans.
Though not everyone, of course, will be too pleased about the band’s decision to plough on with more geriatric acts, there is little doubt that the Oasis reunion tour will cause quite a stir in 2025. Both old and new fans will fill the arenas in the UK and Ireland in droves to witness one of the most iconic bands over the last few decades and finally make an appearance. Whether or not younger bands get a chance to prove themselves on the Oasis stage, Gallagher’s brash reply suggests it’s clear the band’s sole focus is delivering a tour for the ages on its own terms.
