We can hope and dream all we like but the sad truth is, so long as those Gallagher boys keep marding with each other, Oasis are never getting back together —then again, ever since we stumbled across a dedicated Japanese tribute band, we’re not sure we even need a reunion now.
You’ll find plenty of drunken dads doing their best Liam impression at karaoke up and down the country and countless more screaming the words to ‘Wonderwall’ most weekends all over the globe, let alone in Manchester, but we’ll admit we never expected to waste hours of our life watching a Japanese Oasis tribute band on TikTok.
The difference is, while most of us regularly butcher tracks by the legendary ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll’ stars, this tribute act from Japan might just be the closest thing to an authentic-sounding Oasis band you’ll find beyond hearing Noel and Liam performing the hits solo — which we all know isn’t quite the same.
Although they might be mostly limited to performances at various venues in and around Tokyo, after watching a few videos we’re determined to make them one of the biggest household names since, well, Oasis.
@otasis_japan – LIVE INFO – *Japanese followed by English [JP] MUSIC LIFE CLUB発足5周年記念The Greatest Rocks ~For The Beatles, Oasis Lovers~にotasisが出演決定! 日時:6月24日(土)開場18:00、開演18:30 会場:渋谷 Club Rosso 出演:otasis (tribute to Oasis) / The Beatmasters (tribute to The Beatles) トークショー:矢口清治(ラジオDJ) 料金:前売り¥3,500 当日¥4,000 (共に1drink別) 特別協力:(株)シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント チケット予約はこちらから https://clubrosso.com/cn3/pg4909515.html [ENG] otasis will perform at The Greatest Rocks – For The Beatles, Oasis Lovers – to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the foundation of MUSIC LIFE CLUB! Date & time: 24th June 2023(Sat), doors open 6:00pm, show starts 6:30pm Venue: Club Rosso (Shibuya, Tokyo) Performer: otasis (tribute to Oasis) / The Beatmasters (tribute to The Beatles) Talk show personality: Kiyoharu Yaguchi (Radio DJ) Tickets: ¥3,500 (rsvd) / ¥4,000 (on the day) – Exc 1drink Special cooperation: Shinko Music Entertainment Co. Click the link below to book tickets. https://clubrosso.com/cn3/pg4909515.html #oasis#オアシス#live♬ オリジナル楽曲 – otasis (Oasis Tribute Band)
Simply called Otasis, the five-piece doesn’t just play virtually every track the original Britpop icons ever produced and a few Beatles tunes for good measure, they go for the full shebang.
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We don’t just mean the ‘Liam Gallagher lean’ and round sunglasses; we’re talking the sideburn-heavy ‘Wellend’ haircuts, the parkas and Stone Island jackets zipped up all the way to the top, tambourines, bucket hats — the lot.
The 90s fashion might still be something you see quite regularly around 0161 and we’ve all seen someone stand over a mic like the great LG, but when you put it all together with some genuine talent, you can’t argue with the results.
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It’s not just a pale, amusing imitation either: from the unmistakable Liam whine to the natural and almost effortless guitar playing that Noel epitomises, they seem to have it all down pat. The lead singer even throws in the odd City shirt for good measure.
These lads are the self-proclaimed ‘best Oasis band in Japan’ but we dare say they’re one the best we’ve ever come across full stop.
We sincerely hope they go viral sometime soon and start booking gigs all across the globe, as well as make their way over to Manchester one day too, of course — you just know it would absolutely go off.
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Should that day ever come, Otasis, you better reserve us a spot on the guest list.
‘Manc the Biff’: the Co-op Live crowd made the Clyro boys welcome on debut
Danny Jones
It feels like we’ve been waiting a long time to welcome Biffy Clyro back to Manchester, and they really didn’t disappoint on their Co-op Live debut.
Here’s our review of what was a proper rock show.
After a strong lineup of support acts with The Armed and Soft Play (formerly Slaves) injecting plenty of early energy into the crowds, already knew two things: the Scots wouldn’t disappoint, and a Manc crowd NEVER lets you down.
We knew everyone was on top form from the moment the Kilmarnock icons stepped out on stage under a swathe of blankets to the opener from their latest album, Futique.
Once the curtain was eventually lifted during ‘A Little Love’, which has quickly become one of the most popular singles for some time, you could see the sea of fans below start bouncing.
Rolling into the likes of ‘Hunting Season’ and Only Revolutions classic, ‘The Captain’, those bounces quite quickly turned into a healthy-sized pit, and those up in the stands with us finally got on their feet.
That was maybe our only complaint: we love seeing a seated section pretending they’re in standing from their start, but we get it and each to their own, of course.
In fact, the same goes for the rest of the session players joining them on the road this year.
One thing we weren’t expecting was quite how cool the production levels were going to be. We’ve never been Biffy fans for their creativity when it comes to toying with stage design or lighting rigs, but they threw in some fun effects regardless.
Highlights from the night included ‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’, ‘Bubbles’, and ‘Black Chandelier’, though we were sad not to hear ‘Victory Over The Sun’, and it was especially gutting that one of our favourite tracks from the new record, ‘True Believer’, didn’t end up on the setlist.
Again, you can’t have anything – we’re just glad we got to be there and see a truly great British rock band proving that they are well and truly an arena-level band.
Lastly, even after all the years and an X-Factor cover trying its hardest to take the credit away from them, ‘Many of Horror’ is still an unbelievable rock ballad, and d’ya know who is an unbelievable rock band? “Biffy. F***ing. Clyroooooo.”
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires have announced an arena gig in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hollywood Vampires are heading back out on tour, with a huge Manchester gig announced for this year.
The supergroup, which consists of one of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as one of rock’n’roll’s most iconic names, are set to perform at the AO Arena as part of a run of shows.
Hollywood Vampires is made up of A-lister Johnny Depp, as well as rock royalty including Alice Cooper, and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, plus Tommy Henriksen.
They last performed in Manchester with an arena gig back in 2023, making these their first gigs in almost three years.
Hollywood Vampires have now announced a return to the stage, with an AO Arena show on the cards for Tuesday 18 August 2026.
They’ll be supported in Manchester by The Jesus and Mary Chain, who marked their 40th anniversary in 2024 with a new album, Glasgow Eyes.
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires announce Manchester gig. Credit: Aaron Perry
Hollywood Vampires formed in 2012, named after Cooper’s celebrity drinking club of the same name where the aim was reportedly to ‘drink until no one could stand up’.
Over the years, the supergroup has worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Zak Starkey (formerly the drummer for Oasis).
They’ve now announced a massive UK tour , including a date at the AO Arena.
A Three Presale for tickets will take place from 10am on Wednesday 21 January, followed by a venue presale on Thursday 22 January, then general sale from 10am on Friday 23 January.