Audio

Original Oasis drummer sends message to band ahead of reunion world tour

He's not bitter about not being part of it - like the rest of us, he's just buzzing that they're back.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 8th April 2025

Remember when everyone started wondering why ‘Tony McCarroll’ was trending on social media before suddenly realising they might have cocked up getting an Oasis pre-sale code? Us too, and with just a few months until the band’s reunion tour kicking off, he’s sent a message to the boys.

For most Oasis fans, the idea of an actual comeback was something they’d long dreamt of, but one they had mostly resigned themselves to the fact that it was something that was probably never really going to come true.

Nevertheless, barring a catastrophic bust-up in rehearsals (touch wood), which are already said to have kicked off late last year, it is genuinely happening.

With that in mind, one man who was not only there at the very start of the phenomenon that was Oasis but – for one day, at the very least – was perhaps the most Googled person on the planet, has shared a heartfelt message of support; here’s what Tony McCarroll had to say ahead of a truly massive summer:

Sharing a sentiment that many of us headed into the new year echoing after we’d learned of the Oasis reunion, the 53-year-old began simply saying, “2025 is shaping up alright, isn’t it?!

“Almost a lifetime ago, a few Burnage lads got together and created something special. Something that time can’t out date, the start of a wave that’s evidently still rolling with the last real band before the world changed.

“Oasis captured the time and minds of the people; we were the same as them, and they felt it. The connection. Over the last year or two, I’ve noticed something new in the gig and QnA crowds…. youth. The circle has started again lads. A new generation ready to start a journey of listening.”

The original Oasis drummer, who quit the band in 1995 and was replaced by long-standing replacement Alan White, confessed: “Actually, I’m a bit jealous of that blank canvas they’re about to start on”

“Lads, the world is excited to see this, it’s all people are talking about. The time ‘feels’ right, I can’t wait to see how it all goes down”, he went on to say.

Adressing Liam, Noel, Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs and Gem Archer directly before adding, “I better stop there as I’m not sure who else”, McCarroll wished them the best of luck and reminding them to make sure they “stop and take it in”.

As he touched on, the full band lineup for the Oasis reunion shows is yet to be officially confirmed but we’ve had pretty strong indications as to who we can expect to be returning.

Full band lineup for Oasis reunion reportedly revealed

Last but not least, he went on to quip, “If the drummer fancies a stage partner for ‘Supersonic’ at Heaton Park, give us a buzz” – now what a moment that would be, eh?

“What we started back in The Boardwalk days, has become this. Be proud. I f***** am! Enjoy it”, he signs off. Whether or not he has any regrets that he wasn’t part of the latter decade or so they spent as a bad or not, who knows? Even four years as part of one of the world’s biggest bands is quite something.

One thing that his message has proved for sure is that Tony McCarroll is just as excited to see Oasis come back this summer as every other fan on the planet and, original drummer, Alan White, Zak Starkey or otherwise, just hearing that first roar from the crowd is going to send chills down our collective spines.

For those of you lucky enough to grab tickets, what are you most looking forward to hearing?

The 30 greatest Oasis songs of all time
According to Audio North, anyway.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Tony McCarroll (via X/tonymccarroll.com)/Abdulraouf Harb (via Printerval)

Audio

Oasis are being linked with a massive outdoor gig next year

Danny Jones Danny Jones Oasis rumoured for Slane Castle outdoor gig 2026

After 16 long years of waiting, Oasis are officially the biggest band on the planet again (not that they ever really stopped), and now they’re being linked with a rather big outdoor gig at the storied Slane Castle next year.

They’ve already done Knebworth, so why not tick another one off the list?

With the Live ’25 reunion tour well underway, and rumblings over what they’re going to do once this run of global comeback shows is done, Britpop fever hasn’t just had fans of the band reliving the 1990s – it’s practically taken over the music world.

There’s already plenty of talk circling – including a potential return to Knebworth – but now Oasis is pretty much the first and only name being tipped for a huge headline slot at Slane Castle, after 2026 dates were slated by the estate’s owners.

slaine castle gigs
Slane Castle hosted natives, U2, for their Go Home live concert film back in 2002. (Credit: Sara Einarsson via WikiCommons)

While Harry Styles played Ireland’s historic and equally iconic venue back in 2023, the Co Meath concerts, located in the heart of the Boyne Valley, have somewhat dried up in recent years.

Prior to the former One Direction star, the last major musicians to play there were rock and heavy metal veterans, Metallica, more than half a decade ago.

However, the new lord of the manor, Alex Conyngham, is now looking to carry on where his father, Henry Mountcharles, left off in carrying on their live music legacy; and given that another legendary rock and roll band is pretty much anyone can talk about at the minute, their name has already been put forward.

As per the Drogheda Independent writer, John Kierans, Conyngham is reported to have said: “We want to bring the shows back, we miss them. It is not just about the revenue, but keeping the name of Slane as a rock venue on the map.

“It is what Slane Castle is known for, and I don’t want that legacy to fade away. This is one of the world’s great rock and roll venues with the most natural setting. We are working on plans, and hopefully we can pull something off for next year.”

While Oasis are due to play two nights at Croke Park in Dublin later this month, there is now a strong belief/expectation that a number of 2026 dates will also be announced. But will the stars align?

The Gallaghers’ obvious Irish connection has only added further fuel to the fire, though some people believe that Liam has already let the cat out of the bag regarding a second residency at Knebworth – or rather, third, in his case.

It’s also worth mentioning that they’ve played the 1,500-acre grounds before. Twice, in fact.

The first occasion was in July 1995, supporting R.E.M just before they hit arguably the height of their own powers with the release of their second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? just a few months later, on 2 October.

Burnage‘s most famous sons and their bandmates go to do it all over again in 2009 (the same year they would eventually split up), with some incredible ‘warm-up acts’ in The Prodigy, Kasabian and Glasvegas.

Phwoar…

Let’s be honest, either of those artists could probably book and sell out the place these days, so god knows how much a ticket for that lineup would set you back present day.

Regardless, if there’s one band that fits the billing to bring back the Slane Castle gigs at their boldest and best, it’s the almighty Oasis.

Whether or not the heavily rumoured 2026 dates are domestic to the UK and Ireland, we’ll have to wait and see, but the clamour is already there, no matter where they sign on to perform.

If you were at Heaton Park or had the fortune of seeing any of the Live ’25 shows, you’ll know they still sound as good as ever.

Oasis are clearly doing something very deliberate for the as-yet-unconfirmed Live ’25 reunion album

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Sitomon (via Flickr)/Kinsie84 (via Wikimedia Commons)/Press Shots

Audio

Drake at Co-op Live, Manchester: Forget ‘One Dance’ – we had many

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Canadian hitmaker Drake graced Co-op Live in Manchester for the final night of the ‘Some Special Shows 4 UK’ tour with PartyNextDoor.

First song in and multi-hyphenate Drake is already feeling sentimental with ‘Gimme a Hug’ as he admits, “I appreciate the fans rockin’ with me / This is really just a small token.”

‘Marvin’s Room’ played out right after, and although the song prior references it as a favourite of “Durk’s boy”, this same love was shared between 23,500 fans in the crowd at Co-op Live last night. 

Shortly after, the Toronto-born rapper began the usual minute-long introduction of his gigantic single ‘Passionfruit’ with fans roaring as soon as he sang the long-awaited ‘Listen’.

Drake played out to 94,000 fans across four sold-out nights at Co-op Live in Manchester / Credit: The Manc Group
Drake played out to 94,000 fans across four sold-out nights at Co-op Live in Manchester / Credit: The Manc Group
Drake played out to 94,000 fans across four sold-out nights at Co-op Live in Manchester (Credit: Audio North)

Less than halfway through this stacked setlist, and it was time for the holy trinity of the night: ‘God’s Plan’, ‘In My Feelings’ and ‘Nice for What’ – nothing short of back-to-back bangers.

Fellow Canadian artist PartyNextDoor joined the self-proclaimed ‘Champagne Papi’ on stage to perform a medley of hits from their collaborative album ‘Some Sexy Songs 4 U’ next.

This R’n’B act made sure to play out his murky trap-fused number ‘No Chill’, and he squeezed in the equally melancholic melody ‘Somebody Loves Me’, too.

The pair may be promoting their joint LP but they took a second to squeeze in a throwback, matching each other’s energy while executing the 2016 collaboration ‘Come and See Me’.

Drake’s career is timeless, and the setlist proves just that as he delivers a rendition of one of his most recent successes, ‘Girls Want Girls’, followed by a track that laid the foundations of his career, ‘Fancy’.

Drake and PartyNextDoor for the 'Some Special Songs 4 UK' tour / Credit: The Manc Group
Drake and PartyNextDoor for the 'Some Special Songs 4 UK' tour / Credit: The Manc Group
Drake and PartyNextDoor for the ‘Some Special Songs 4 UK’ tour (Credit: The Manc)

Almost 30 songs deep and Drake still had fans reciting bars, verses and everything in between, and this continued as the two-time Brit award winner started 2023 anthem ‘Rich Baby Daddy’.

St. Louis rapper Sexyy Red wasn’t present for her renowned chant, but Manchester stepped up to the occasion, professing: “Hands on your knees, hands on your knees / Shake that *ss for Drake / Now shake that *ss for me”, verbatim.

It was only fair that the global rap titan finished with the setlist with two cellular-themed tracks, starting with the “You used to call me on my cell phone” number ‘Hotline Bling’ before the “Who’s callin’ my phone?” viral smash ‘Nokia’.

The setlist follows a very cyclical structure, as although Drake is known for his comical and cheeky persona on stage and online, deep down, the chart topper is very attentive.

Read more:

Ending on the ever-emotive ‘Yebba’s Heartbreak’ with lines like, “How much can I show my love for you?”, it’s safe to say this international act is feeling pretty grateful after seeing 94,000 fans show up and show out for him across four non-consecutive nights.

Drake may refer to himself as the ‘Champagne Papi’, but it’s the 23,500 fans who were popping bottles and raising a toast to the rap champ; the support for this musical act is ‘Nonstop’.

Co-op Live really is booking all the big names now.

We got to see a music legend from the best seats in the house – here’s how you can too
Might as well make the most of this incredible arena every chance we get.

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

Featured Images – The Manc Group

More Audio

The Warehouse Project 2025 full lineup

Art & Culture

The Warehouse Project 2025 – full calendar, lineups, tickets, stage times and more

Kendal Calling review 2025

Art & Culture

Kendal Calling toasts 20 years of unforgettable memories with Audio North’s best visit yet

Audio

The top 13 biggest gigs in Manchester music history

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches