Although the band’s roots are firmly down the M62, LIverpool played a key part in the Oasis story
Oasis before their split in 2009(Image: Getty Images)
Oasis fever continues to sweep across the UK after the famous band reunited for an eagerly anticipated global reunion tour. Noel and Liam Gallagher have put aside their differences to embark on a tour across the world, announcing the news to excited fans last year.
The tour got underway in Cardiff last week with two electrifying shows in the Principality Stadium. The band arrived in their home city in Manchester on Friday to play the first of five shows at Heaton Park. Although the Gallagher brothers’ roots are firmly down the M62, Liverpool played a key part in their origin story.
During his time with the Inspirals, Noel had met Chris and Tony Griffiths, from Bootle band The Real People. They acted as mentors to the budding songwriter and brought his band down to their rehearsal room and studio on Porter Street near Bramley-Moore.
Six songs recorded in Liverpool made it onto the demo tape, which was key in landing the band their first record deal. The Liverpool-recorded demo formed the basis of ‘Definitely Maybe’, which went straight to number one in August 1994 and became the fastest-selling debut album in British music history.
The Real People aren’t the only famous Liverpool band to be a part of Oasis’ story. The band donned the casual terrace culture look that had been pioneered by indie/dance crossover group, The Farm.
In an interview with the ECHO in 2023, frontman Peter Hooton explained how Oasis criticised his band in their first interview. The singer, who just released new album Let The Music (Take Control) last month, said: “In Oasis’ first interview they slagged The Farm off. We were getting a lot of publicity at the time and a lot of front covers.
“They said ‘The Farm think they’re The Beatles, but they’re not’. We didn’t know they had an obsession with The Beatles.” Peter said he thinks the animosity began when The Farm turned down the chance to have Oasis support them during a tour. He said: “We hadn’t heard them yet and we already had tour support from a great Liverpool band called Top.”
Peter recalls the dispute came to a head when The Farm went to watch Oasis at the Lomax, a now closed live music venue. He said: “They told the management of the Lomax, ‘under no circumstances let The Farm and their entourage in’.”
Peter was eventually allowed in and praised the Oasis gig as “fantastic”. The singer laughed as he revealed the hatchet has long been buried between the two bands. He said: “Yeah, obviously the only animosity now is between Man City and Liverpool.”
Oasis kept referring to their club allegiances at the Heaton Park show on Friday. Liam was booed before he sung D’You Know What I Mean after he said: “I want to dedicate this next song to the greatest manager of all time. Pep Guardiola.”
The fans in attendance who didn’t support the Citizens disagreed, which prompted the frontman to hit back: “Who are you booing?” Liam also took took aim at his derby rivals when he asked fans to do The Poznan.
The bounce has been adopted by Man City fans since 2010 as he told anyone who supports Manchester United to forget about their club allegiances. He said: “”Stop sulking. You haven’t had a lot to jump around about lately. It’s f*****g easy, man.” The crowd complied with his request as they jumped along to their 1994 hit, Cigarettes and Alcohol.”
Oasis will return to the stage at Heaton Park stage on July 16 before two more shows in Manchester on July 19 and July 20. They will then take the show to Wembley stadium later this month for the first of seven shows in the Capital this year.
Oasis UK tour dates in full
- July 4 – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
- July 5 – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
- July 11 – Manchester, Heaton Park
- July 12 – Manchester, Heaton Park
- July 16 – Manchester, Heaton Park
- July 19 – Manchester, Heaton Park
- July 20 – Manchester, Heaton Park
- July 25 – London, Wembley Stadium
- July 26 – London, Wembley Stadium
- July 30 – London, Wembley Stadium
- August 2 – London, Wembley Stadium
- August 3 – London, Wembley Stadium
- August 8 – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
- August 9 – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
- August 12 – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
- September 27 – London, Wembley Stadium
- September 28 – London, Wembley Stadium