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The Oasis reunion as it happened: the days leading up and how the music world reacted

Or to put it more accurately: how we all lost our minds in a series of memes.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 27th August 2024

We can’t believe we’re actually here but it’s happened: Oasis are genuinely getting back together and the reunion shows are finally happening.

The Gallagher brothers confirmed the long-awaited Oasis reunion and series of comeback shows at 8am on Tuesday morning, 27 August 2024, and you best believe we’ll be remembering that date until the day we die.

As well as announcing massive gigs at Wembley Stadium, Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and Croke Park in Dublin, they will also be playing a total of four shows on home turf here in Manchester at the legendary Heaton Park, where they last played as a pair back in 2009.

We know Liam already played their musical mecca himself back in 2022, but this is as close to a proper Knebworth 2.0 as you could probably ever ask for. With that in mind, here’s how the world reacted to the biggest music news in a generation:

So how exactly did it happen, or at least what do we know about the Oasis reunion so far?

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Well, despite having both maintained it would never happen for years, being publicly unpleasant about each other almost for sport at times, and supposedly having not spoken full stop for “about a decade”, it turns out the two have finally had a conversation – and quite a watershed one at that.

Noel famously said it would take a lot more than money for the two of them to even begin discussing a potential reunion, but did taunt Liam in June last year by saying, “I f***ing dare you to call me […] because then we have to be in a room together and we both know how that ends.”

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In fact, rather than a merely transactional phone call to confirm that both parties are now willing to put on these biblical shows, it appears as though the Gallagher brothers have indeed met in person once again, with stills from the photoshoot promoting the reunion being shared online.

How surreal does this look all these years later?

Yes, understandably based on the chosen lead photo – which is almost certainly edited for whatever reason (probably because Liam preferred his hair better in one of them or something…) – fans were reluctant to believe they had even been in the same room as each other yet.

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However, as per multiple reports, the secret photoshoot between the two long-feuding brothers is rumoured to have taken place sometime last month and those present were forced to sign NDAs to keep news of the reunion under wraps.

It’s still unknown as to exactly when and where these photos were taken but they look pretty bloody real, if you ask us, and are credited to notable British photographer Simon Emmett.

Speaking to the tabloids, a source said: “It was a pinch me moment to have Noel and Liam together. The shoot was top secret and barely anyone knew about it. For their fans to see them together again will be an amazing sight, the atmosphere in the room was fizzing, it was electric.”

Again, it’s unclear how much time the two have actually spent back in each other’s company at this point, but boy would we have loved to have been a fly on the wall during that moment.

Even more interestingly, now 15 years on from the infamous Paris storm-out which brought an abrupt end to the legendary Britpop band, Noel has actually been saying nice things about his younger brother for a change. I know, we’re as stunned as you are.

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Chatting with industry journalist and fellow musician John Robb in a recent interview with Louder Than War, a chat held ahead of the deluxe Monnow Valley Recordings of Definitely Maybe being released for the debut album’s 30th anniversary, the 57-year-old was actually complimentary about Liam.

Released in full on YouTube last week, the songwriting genius and legendary guitar player conceded: “When I would sing the song, it would sound good, when he would sing it, it would sound great.”

He did go on to jokingly compare Liam’s voice to “10 shots of tequila on a Friday night” whilst he was more like “half a Guinness on a Tuesday”, but the significance of actually speaking positively about his counterpart on several occasions throughout the exclusive cannot be overstated.

And then came that first teaser played live not only at Reading and Leeds Festival but right after Blossoms’ headline slot at Live From Wythenshawe Park, where Noel played the exact same stage this time last year…

Liam had shared a number of cryptic tweets in the days leading up to that short teaser video including one post that simply read, “never did like that word FORMER”, and another in reply to a fan online saying, “See you in the front you big f***y.”

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Then, during his set at R&L 2024, the 51-year-old chose to dedicate the iconic track ‘Half The World Away’ to his brother Noel and, for once, people had not one but several valid clues to believe it was actually happening this time.

Besides both being rather importantly out of album and tour cycles following festival season, many fans have also speculated that several other wider factors have played into the stars finally aligning.

Everything from their mum Peggy (now 80) having once again urged the two to mend fences, to Noel’s split from his wife Sara MacDonald who also famously didn’t get on with Liam, and even the sheer timing of the dates and announcement – 15 years on, 30th anniversary and so on – were all put forward as evidence.

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And after all that, they were actually right.

If god is real then they’re probably a Blue and almost certainly a massive Oasis fan still sporting a prime mid-2000s ‘Wellend’ haircut with pride.

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One more time in case you still thought you were dreaming: Oasis are back. What a time to be alive.

Now please, lads, do your very best to not wind each other up – the world really needs these gigs.

Oasis tour dates and ticket information in full, and everything the Gallagher brothers have said so far
The website hosting the ticket link for the Oasis reunion crashed almost immediately. Lord help us on Saturday…

Featured Images — Simon Emmett Photography/@shesontheluce (via TikTok)/Gary Keogh (via X)

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Blossoms at O2 Ritz Manchester – five-night hometown residency is already a triumph

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Blossoms at O2 Ritz Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Blossoms are a band who were born and forged here in Greater Manchester, and now they’re back retracing their steps with a five-night residency across the venues that launched them into the big leagues.

Their star has risen all the way to arena level and headline shows at Wythenshawe Park at this point, especially here in their hometown, so the chance to see them back in these cosy-ish little venues is special, and a little bizarre.

For night two of their landmark sold-out gig series, it was the turn of the O2 Ritz, that sweaty spot off Oxford Road where the floor bounces downstairs and you stick to the carpets upstairs.

Poetically, the first time I ever saw Blossoms was in this very room in 2016, when they had the mid-afternoon slot at Neighbourhood festival and the queue to get in went all the way back to St Peter’s Square.

Since those days, Blossoms have come a long, long way, and their live show has evolved and matured from five lads thrashing on their instruments to this well-oiled, hip-swaying, flares-wearing, chart-topping machine.

There’s even choreography now – how fancy!

A stand-out moment from the show is actually a song from their new, fifth studio album Gary, which is still barely eight weeks old.

A spoof recording of legendary Manchester indie club 42s rings out, then all five band members abandon their stations, slinging keytars and marching drums around their necks so that they can dance together in front of neon signs.

Blossoms have just done their second of five shows in Manchester, this time at the O2 Ritz. Credit: The Manc Group
Blossoms have just done their second of five shows in Manchester, this time at the O2 Ritz. Credit: The Manc Group
Blossoms on stage at the O2 Ritz in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Blossoms on stage at the O2 Ritz in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Blossoms promised more disco with this album and they bloody meant it. It’s not just the flares and the blow-dries and the moustaches (though those do help) – it’s in the funk and groove that’s gradually crept into their music exponentially with each album release.

This is still indie rock but it’s the most danceable of its genre. Good luck keeping your shoulders from wiggling and jiggling in here. Good luck keeping that grin off your face.

And Gary is one of the most unexpectedly fun albums to be released in the last year – the fact they called it Gary, named after a giant fibreglass garden centre Gorilla, should’ve been our clue. It could border on silly were it not such a masterpiece.

It seems like the only thing Blossoms are trying to prove is that you can be wildly successful without taking yourself too seriously. They just seem like a group who want to have a good time and it’s totally infectious.

Case in point – when each band member is introduced, keyboardist Myles Kellock plays the riff of Satisfaction by Benny Benassi and The Biz. Unexpected.

Blossoms also clearly give a sh*t about their live shows and graft at it – I’ve seen these guys an awful lot and it’s because their tour dates are plentiful and consistently worth the ticket price.

This is definitely the biggest era of their career so far, but have they peaked? Not even close.

There are still three nights left of the Blossoms residency. You can read all about it HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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The Warehouse Project reveals return to Rotterdam for massive overseas event

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Warehouse Project Rotterdam lineup 2025 tickets

The Warehouse Project has confirmed it will be returning to Rotterdam in 2025 for a second time, its fourth overseas event.

After debuting abroad in 2023 with an action-packed few days in the city of Rotterdam – whose art scene, music culture and even canal network bears lots of similarities to Manchester – Warehouse Project is coming back for more.

There’s just over a month left of the 2024 WHP calendar; you’d think they’d be getting ready to wind down and enjoy the Christmas breather, but not so: the organisers are already planning what is set to be one of their biggest and best long weekends to date.

Set to take place over the early May bank holiday, the Dutch port city will once again play host to one of Manchester’s legendary club nights.

The second biggest city in the Netherlands behind Amsterdam, the next edition of Warehouse’s international series is set to return to Rotterdam RDM – a warehouse space very reminiscent of both Depot Mayfield and their original home at Victoria Warehouse.

WHP x RDM II is already being billed as an “unforgettable weekend” and if any of this year’s mainline events here in Manchester are anything to go by, they’re bound to live up to that promise.

There’s also a full FAQ page for anyone looking to find out more information regarding Rotterdam, the venue itself, travel and more.

As well as revealing the dates (2-4 May 2025), the organisers have already teased a good chunk of the lineup, with the likes of Chris Stussy, Peach, Four Tet b2b with Sammy Virji, salute and many more already confirmed.

With a slew of incredible acts, multiple afterparties on boats and other local venues, as well as plenty of opportunity to see the rest of Holland’s ‘Manhattan on the Maas’, this is going to be SO good.

rotterdam boat party warehouse project
whp rotterdam lineup 2025
rdm rotterdam hosting the warehouse project second international event
Credit: The Manc Group/Press Images (supplied)

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We were lucky enough to have been sent to sample their inaugural Rotterdam date back in April of 2023 and, we have to say, it was an absolute blast.

Take it from us, if you’re considering being a part of this next event you won’t regret and we’ll be putting together an extensive guide to help you feel prepared for raving overseas. Registration for early access is already live, so sign up fast if you want to give yourself the best chance of being there.

Limited presale and accommodation packages will be available to those who have applied at 9am on Monday, 2 December (UK customers only). General admission tickets will go live from 9am n Tuesday, 3 December sale for UK and Dutch customers starts Tuesday 3rd December at 9am GMT/10am CET.

Rotterdam 2025 will be here before you know it, so take a boots-on-the-ground at what an international Warehouse Project date looks like down below:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied/The Manc Group

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