The iconic British rock band Oasis is once again at the forefront of musical conversation, having reunited for a highly anticipated global tour. This tour marks a significant moment for fans around the world as the Gallagher brothers, Noel and Liam, have apparently set aside their long-standing differences to embark on this new chapter in their musical journey. Announcing their reunion last year sent waves of excitement among their fan base, and the tour kicked off last week in Cardiff with two electrifying performances at the Principality Stadium.

After their successful Cardiff shows, the band made their way to their home turf, Manchester, where they performed the first of five scheduled concerts at Heaton Park. Although the Gallagher brothers hail from Manchester, Liverpool holds a special place in the band's history, contributing to their early development and success.

In the early days of his career, Noel Gallagher met Chris and Tony Griffiths from the Liverpool band The Real People. This encounter proved pivotal, as they mentored Gallagher and allowed him to record songs in their rehearsal room and studio located on Porter Street near Bramley-Moore. The result of this collaboration was a demo tape featuring six tracks that would eventually help Oasis secure their first record deal. Notably, this demo laid the groundwork for their groundbreaking debut album, 'Definitely Maybe,' which was released in August 1994 and quickly became the fastest-selling debut album in British music history.

Oasis's ties to Liverpool extend beyond just The Real People. The band also embraced the casual terrace culture that had been popularized by the indie/dance crossover group The Farm. In a 2023 interview with the ECHO, Peter Hooton, the frontman of The Farm, recounted a moment when Oasis openly criticized his band during their first interview. He recalls that Oasis, during a time when The Farm was enjoying significant publicity, remarked, 'The Farm think they're The Beatles, but they're not.' Hooton suspects this tension escalated when The Farm declined an offer for Oasis to support them on tour, as they had already committed to another Liverpool band called Top.

In an interesting turn of events, the rivalry came to a peak when members of The Farm attended an Oasis performance at the now-closed venue, Lomax. Hooton humorously noted that they were initially barred from entering by the venue management. However, he was eventually granted access and later described the Oasis performance as 'fantastic.' Hooton reflected on this incident, stating that any lingering animosity between the two bands has since faded, with the current rivalry being more about football than music.

During the Heaton Park performance on Friday, Oasis's connection to local football was evident. Liam Gallagher, the band’s outspoken frontman, stirred the crowd's emotions when he dedicated one of their songs to Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola. This remark was not taken lightly by fans of rival clubs, prompting some booing from the audience. In response, Gallagher playfully challenged the dissenters by asking, 'Who are you booing?' He also encouraged fans to engage in a chant known as The Poznan, commonly associated with Manchester City supporters, while poking fun at Manchester United fans by telling them to 'stop sulking.'

As the band continues their tour, they are set to return to Heaton Park on July 16, followed by additional shows in Manchester on July 19 and July 20. After their performances in Manchester, Oasis will take their legendary sound to Wembley Stadium, where they have scheduled seven shows this year. With their mix of nostalgia, iconic music, and playful banter, Oasis is sure to deliver memorable performances for their fans.