The Return of Oasis... 55,000 Fans Enthusiastically Sing Along at Their First Concert in 16 Years

The British rock band Oasis, visiting Korea for the first time in 16 years since their last concert, had a hot night with 55,000 fans at Goyang Sports Complex on the 21st. Despite the early winter chill, the venue was filled with the loud singing of their hit song 'Don't Look Back in Anger'.

Formed in 1991 around the Gallagher brothers, Liam (vocals) and Noel (guitar, vocals), Oasis is a legendary Britpop band that has sold over 90 million records worldwide. They have released seven studio albums, all of which reached number one on the UK charts, and left behind many familiar hits in Korea, including 'Don't Look Back in Anger' and 'Live Forever'.

However, due to conflicts between the core Gallagher brothers, Oasis announced their disbandment in 2009, but surprised music fans worldwide by announcing their reunion last August. The world tour that started in July in the UK proved their unchanging popularity, with tickets selling out instantly and scalping rampant.

As the letters 'SEOUL' appeared on the large LED screen behind the stage and the members emerged, the venue erupted with cheers. The stadium, packed with fans from the floor to the stands, marked the start of the concert with 'Hello', fitting for the long-awaited reunion with Korean fans.

As familiar songs like 'Acquiesce', 'Morning Glory', and 'Some Might Say' followed, the audience embarked on a nostalgic journey back to the 1990s. Liam's trademark pose, standing with his hands behind his back and leaning forward to sing into the standing microphone, was vividly recreated. Despite it being a tour after many years, he showcased a powerful voice as if there had been no disbandment or reunion.

When Liam held a tambourine in one hand and raised an arm to the sky during the chorus to encourage the crowd, tens of thousands of fans on the third floor stood up and jumped, creating a spectacular wave. Noel, who quietly played the guitar, shared his pleasant voice during the chorus of 'Acquiesce', and the large LEDs on either side of the stage zoomed in on the two brothers.

Between songs, excited shouts of 'Oasis! Oasis!' erupted from the audience. Liam, looking at the ecstatic fans, said, "You are truly beautiful. Your voices are really loud," expressing his satisfaction.

Oasis showcased their unique witty performance with the song 'Cigarettes & Alcohol'. The catchy melodies and heavy guitar sounds in their representative songs like 'Supersonic' and 'Little By Little' were reminiscent of the true Oasis, as if they had just been pulled from memory.

Noel created an emotional atmosphere suitable for the autumn night by singing 'Talk Tonight' and 'Half the World Away', which highlighted the acoustic guitar sound. At this moment, the audience seemed to have made a promise, as they all turned on their phone flashes, illuminating the stadium with a galaxy-like light. On the floor, groups of five or six fans were seen holding hands and spinning around, enjoying the music like a traditional Korean circle dance.

As the concert progressed to familiar hits like 'Whatever' and 'Live Forever', the atmosphere in the venue heated up. The encore, which included 'Don't Look Back in Anger', 'Wonderwall', and 'Champagne Supernova', was filled with loud singing from the audience. When the final song 'Champagne Supernova' ended, a large fireworks display lit up the sky above the stadium, marking the finale.

On this day, not only were there many fans in their 30s and 40s who experienced the 1990s when Oasis was at its peak, but also a significant number of Gen Z fans in their 20s who had recently discovered their music. The area around Goyang Sports Complex was bustling with tens of thousands of fans arriving early. Fans dressed in Oasis merchandise t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jumpers waited excitedly to enter while taking long lines for commemorative photos in front of concert posters or life-size cutouts.

Im Jin-mo, a popular music critic, evaluated, "Oasis, as seen in 'Wonderwall' and 'Don't Look Back in Anger', is a team that has maintained simple, straightforward rock and roll music with prominent melodies rather than being experimental." He added, "They also subtly incorporated a Beatles feel, achieving great success in the U.S. among Britpop musicians, which is rare. The fact that they reunited after more than ten years of each having their own bands due to conflicts between the brothers still holds significant interest, and the friendly elements have excited domestic fans as well."