Murrayfield Concerts: 'Alcohol Was Root Of Problems At Oasis Gig'

It is easy to have some sympathy with residents living near Murrayfield after the shameful behaviour last week of some fans attending the Oasis concert. And it is understandable that there should be calls for similar events to be banned in the future.

While most locals are happy to suffer the inconvenience and disturbance created by staging major rugby events at the stadium, these can generally be counted in single figures each year.

But while rugby fans appear to know how to behave, there was a drunken, unruly and generally younger element in last Wednesday's audience who clearly had little respect for property or people. As a result gardens were used as toilets and as tensions rose fighting broke out in the stadium and the beer queues.

Liam Gallagher himself summed it up in an interview in the Evening News, when he said: "That's f***ing Oasis man, that's rock and roll." That's all very well for him to say but not much comfort for those innocently caught up in such an intimidating atmosphere.

It is a fact of life that bands with the pulling power of Oasis are now drawn towards stadia because of their capacity to hold greater audiences. Murrayfield, Ibrox and Hampden are now first choice venues for acts of such status.

And the Scottish Rugby Union, which still has massive debts, cannot be blamed for seeking to generate revenue from its prize asset, which remains largely under-utilised, particularly in the summer.

There can be little doubt that the bulk of the trouble at the Oasis gig was fuelled by drink and it would be unrealistic to expect all fans to arrive for such a concert sober. But questions have to be asked about the levels and quality of stewarding inside the ground and policing outside.

It took the SRU a long time to get a licence to sell drink to the general public. Unlike football, which has a sad if episodic history of booze-related violence, it was granted a licence because rugby fans have proved to the police and the government that they can generally be trusted to behave.

Clearly, fans attending large open air rock concerts have not yet shown that they are capable of such discipline.

While it would be nice to think that the events of last week were a one off this cannot be guaranteed. Murrayfield should be available for events other than rugby, but perhaps the wisdom of selling alcohol within the ground on anything other than rugby match days should be the subject of some debate.

Source: www.scotsman.com

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Alberta Cross Interview At Bonnaroo 2009

Petter Ericson Stakee of Alberta Cross talks about their new recordings, touring with Oasis, and playing with Neil Young this summer. Petter was interviewed at Bannaroo in Tennessee last week.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Liam Gallagher To Star In Sex And Drugs Film

He's a rock ’n’ roll star, a fashion designer and now Liam Gallagher is about to add film actor to his CV.

The Oasis frontman has signed up to appear in a movie about the music biz.

Gallagher has bagged a part in the big screen adaptation of Kevin Sampson's novel Powder, which tells the story of a band lured into a world of sex and drugs after making it big.

I can’t see that being too much of a stretch for the lad.

Once his touring commitments are out of the way in August, Liam will get down to work with Sampson, who used to manage Scouse outfit The Farm, and start learning his lines.

The size of his role is yet to be finalised. But he will be sharing the screen with veteran dance music star Guru Josh.

Josh — real name Paul Walden — who had a 1990 hit with track Infinity, wrote on his website: “Guru Josh will act as himself alongside co-star Liam Gallagher.

“Is the world ready for Liam Gallagher and Guru Josh together on the silver screen? Is Liam Gallagher ready for Guru Josh?”

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Liam Gallagher And His Teddy Bear Swagger On To Oasis' Tour Bus In Ireland

Liam Gallagher swaggering into the Oasis tour bus in Dublin with his teddy.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Fans Start To Recieve Their Pretty Green

Site visitor Jack Davis from Wolverhampton in the UK, sent us in a picture of him posing in his Pretty Green t-shirt and Cricket Hat that he received earlier today.

Jack said on the items "I love them man, the clothes are great for going out in and very stylish. Their cool and fresh, if I ever met Liam in person, I'd shake him by hand and tell him what a geezer he is for making all this man. I'd buy him a drink too to wish him all the best in the near future!"

Click here and here to see pictures of Liam in the Pretty Green Parka that is available to order now for set for delivery later this month.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Oasis Taxi Rip-Off Probe

Nine cab drivers are being investigated over claims they overcharged passengers and attempted to pick up fares illegally after Oasis's huge homecoming gigs.

Fans complained of being charged more than five times the going rate for journeys home from the Heaton Park concerts.

Manchester council asked M.E.N readers who had been stung following the June 6 gig to call a phone line.

They have now revealed that nine private hire and hackney carriage drivers are being investigated.

The cabbies - some of whom were reportedly opportunists from outside Manchester illegally plying for trade near the Prestwich venue - face prosecution and could have their taxi licences revoked.

Three of the drivers were reported to the council following the M.E.N appeal.

One is a Manchester hackney carriage driver accused of overcharging. The other two are hackney carriages from Tameside and Oldham that were reportedly overcharging and attempting to pick up fares illegally. Six other drivers were spotted by council officers.

A file on one cabbie has already been passed to the council's legal department who are prosecuting. If cases are successful, drivers will have to go before licensing bosses.

A Manchester council spokesman said: "We would like to remind members of the public who feel they have been charged too much by Manchester licensed taxi drivers to contact us on 0161 234 4512 with the driver's details."

One fan, 22-year-old Rob Buckley, shelled out £70 for a minicab home to Sale, a fare which normally costs just £18.

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Joe Cole Serenades New Wife Carly Zucker With Oasis Karaoke At Wedding

The proudest man in all of England, Joe Cole stood in front of his beautiful wife on his wedding day and uttered those immortal words.

“You gotta roll with it, you gotta take your time...”

He did too. Not content with a mere Roll With It, he had a crack at Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova as well in an emotional karaoke homage to his Oasis idols.

The newlywed Chelsea and England midfielder – watched by his new bride Carly Zucker, 24 – didn’t just bang out the words either.

He did an uncanny Liam Gallagher impression, with inch-perfect eyebrow levitation and his hands tucked defiantly behind his back.

In fact, his performance at the lavish wedding afterparty was so good, he received a standing ovation.

Says our mole: “It was a brilliant bash. Everyone had an incredibletime and were egging one another on to have a pop at the karaoke machine

“Once all the speeches were out of the way, Joe and Carly could let their hair down and have a drink.

“With some words of encouragement from a few of his Chelsea team-mates, including captain John Terry, Joe, 27, decided he’d play it safe and go with Oasis. He’s not a bad singer and has all the moves down to a tee.

“He was loving it. Once he got up on the stage, he practically had to be hauled away from the microphone and back into the arms of his new wife.

“And for the rest of the night, everyone was calling Joe ‘our kid’, while he was telling them he was ‘mad for it’. It was absolutely hilarious, although you probably had to be there.”

Those who were spent Sunday within the grounds of Notting Hill’s Hempel Hotel after the couple got hitched in the chapel at London’s Royal Hospital.

After changing out of her Oscar de la Renta dress into a cream number, Carly played host at a three-course meal, featured in this week’s Hello! magazine

Canapes, a seafood dinner and home-made banoffee pie were guzzled, washed down with pink and vintage bubbly.

Bet the guests weren’t feeling Supersonic yesterday morning...

Source: www.mirror.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Little Boots And Doves Are Mercury Prize Favourites

Pop singer Little Boots and indie veterans Doves have been named as the favourites to win this year's Mercury Music Prize.

Little Boots' debut album Hands entered the chart at number five and her first LP has made good on pre-release hype with both she and Doves' fourth album Kingdom of Rust adjudged to be 5-1 odds on to win the prestigious award.

Bat for Lashes' second album Two Suns is third favourite at 6-1 while the still unreleased debut efforts from rising stars La Roux and Florence and the Machine are also well fancied by bookmakers.

Though betting is already underway for the annual award - won last year by Elbow's The Seldom Seen Kid - nominations will not be announced until late July.

Glasvegas' self-titled debut album and Lily Allen's sophomore collection It's Not Me, It's You are both 12-1 on to scoop the award with Friendly Fires, the Bug and the Horrors all 20-1 on.

New efforts by Gallows and Manic Street Preachers offer good odds at 50-1 while Oasis' recent album Dig Out Your Soul is a 100-1 long shot.

Source: www.inthenews.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Marco Hosts Oasis Party ... But Noel Stays Away

The post-Slane celebrations continued into the early hours when Oasis star Liam Gallagher and The Prodigy stepped out for a meal at Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse and Grill.

The rockers were accompanied to the restaurant by their wives -- All Saint sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton -- and their children, as well as the girls' former band-mate Melanie Blatt, who had all jetted into town for the Meath gig.

Hell's Kitchen star Marco picked up the tab for the group, after he and business partner Geraldine Fitzgerald met the stars for lunch at the Four Season's earlier that afternoon. The celebrity chef, who had to fly back to London due to work commitments that evening, hit it off so well with the rockers that he invited them to enjoy dinner at his restaurant on him.

Passers-by spotted Liam Gallagher standing outside the Dawson Street restaurant having a cigarette.

Spat

The Oasis legend, (36) who appeared to be on great form despite his spat with brother Noel, was more than happy to pose for pictures and sign autographs.

The margaritas were flowing as the music stars enjoyed steaks and oysters, while the children tucked into fish and chips. According to other diners at the restaurant, there was none of the rock and roll behaviour you'd expect of the group. Nicole (34) is married to Liam Gallagher, while the Prodigy's Liam Howlett is married to Natalie (36) and the famous gang are regularly spotted socialising together in London.

Liam's brother Noel was nowhere to be seen however, with the two Oasis stars believed to have gone their separate ways immediately after the Meath show, to avoid any further confrontations.

The singers did not attend the exclusive after-party hosted by Lord Henry Mount Charles in Slane castle after the gig and even stayed in separate hotels.

The foursome and their respective family members and their entourage, as well as fellow The Prodigy band members, Keith Flint and Max Reality meanwhile, have been staying at the plush Four Seasons hotel in Ballsbridge since Friday.

The stars are said to have thrown a massive bashon Friday night, stealing the limelight from pop princess Britney Spears who had booked out the Presidential suite of the luxury hotel for her stay in Ireland.

Source: www.herald.ie

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Fans Deserve More For Money

What went wrong at Slane on Saturday night and Sunday morning? Until they finally admitted problems late last night, the organisers of the Oasis concert, as well as the Garda Siochana and Dublin Bus, said nothing. According to the loud protests from people who attended, a great deal.

Eyewitnesses tell us that, for many, pleasure turned to misery at an early stage. People had to force a passage through the walkway to the arena where they viewed the event. They found crowd control lax. There were too few bars and too few toilets, but too many people carrying bottles. Fist fights broke out.

But the most distressing part came late, when the fans tried to go home. Dublin Bus claims that it put 300 vehicles on the route and that everybody got away by 2am. This is strongly disputed by passengers who say that they encountered immense difficulty and delay.

Some describe arriving back as late as 5am. A few walked to neighbouring towns and somehow found taxis. There are stories of stragglers sitting by the roadside or even sleeping in ditches. And there are reports of disgraceful behaviour, like bus passengers throwing bottles on to the roofs of passing cars.

In view of Slane Castle's long experience of running rock concerts -- experience presumably shared by the Garda Siochana, private security and transport operators -- this is quite extraordinary. It also calls into question the value for money offered. Fans paid €80 admission and bus fares of €20. For this, they were entitled to comfort as well as music.

Source: www.independent.ie

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Soccer AM Archives

A interview with Noel Gallagher has recently been uploaded to the Soccer AM archives.

Source: www.skysports.com

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Happy Birthday Bonehead

Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, born 23 June 1965 (44 Today), Burnage, Manchester, England and is one of the founding members of English rock group Oasis and rhythm guitar player from 1991-1999.

He is almost exclusively known by his nickname Bonehead, a reference to the short back and sides haircut his father made him have when he was young.

Childhood And Early Musical Career

Arthurs was born in Manchester to Irish Catholic emigrants. His father worked in the demolition industry. Arthurs supports Manchester United.

He left school in 1981 and worked as a plasterer. He started his first band in 1984 -called Pleasure and Pain. Around this time he began a relationship with Kate, who he would later marry. In the late 1980s, while working as a building contractor, he started a band with his friends, Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan (bass), Tony McCaroll (drums) and Chris Hutton (vocals). They called themselves The Rain, after the Beatles' B-side. During this period, Arthurs owned a van which he used to transport the band's equipment to Hutton's garage where they would perform. The van was nicknamed The Bonemobile and was decorated by Guigsy with a psychdelic mural when they took it to The Stone Roses' legendary 1990 gig at Spike Island.

Oasis And Role Therein

When Hutton quit, he was replaced by Liam Gallagher. Liam changed the band's name to Oasis. Gallagher and Arthurs teamed up as co-songwriters. However, the band was still unsuccessful until Gallagher encouraged his brother Noel, who had just come back from travelling the world as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets, to join the band. Noel brought with him a collection of songs that were to make the band famous. Arthurs remembers the first songs Noel played to him being Live Forever and All Around The World.

He claims his favorite Oasis song to play was Columbia as the rhythm guitar part only consists of three chords. However, tour manager Ian Robertson has claimed that the first time Noel performed Champagne Supernova for the rest of the band - an acoustic version on the tour bus - Arthurs broke down and cried.

The Arthurs' front room was used on the iconic cover of Oasis' debut album Definitely Maybe. Arthurs had painted and plastered the room himself.

When Oasis performed the song "Whatever" for Top of the Pops, they mimed and one of the cello players from the symphony was replaced by Arthurs, who clearly had no idea how the instrument is supposed to be played. Towards the end of the song, he gave up the pretense and started using the stick to conduct. A woman plays his rhythm guitar.

Nonetheless, Arthurs is a multi-instrumentalist and is credited as having played piano and mellotron on (What's the Story) Morning Glory? and can be seen on piano in the video for "Don't Look Back in Anger". He was supposed to take lead vocals on one Oasis track, "Bonehead's Bank Holiday" - a jocular ode on the double vinyl issue of (What's the Story) Morning Glory. However, in the end Noel sang the song as Arthurs had been nervous about his first vocal performane and when Liam Gallagher took him for some drinks to calm his nerves they overdid it- samples of their drunken singing were used on the track. Noel claims to enjoy the song for its comedic value "Particularly the way he sings it, because he's beyond tone deaf." He highlights it as Oasis' "Ringo track".

On top of his role as musician he also fulfilled the vital role of band diplomat, saying "If it ever kicked off between Noel and Liam I was never scared to dive in. I was renowned for it."

Although Noel Gallagher has downplayed his relatonship with Arthurs in recent years (claiming to have shared only a few hours of conversation with him in their six years in the same band, a claim he has always made -more convicingly - about Guigsy), he gave rather a different impression in 1995, stating "being in a band with [Bonehead] is not miserable, 'cos that guy is like Peter Sellers and Rigsby combined, with less morals with either of them - he's just outrageous". Noel is also godfather to the Arthurs' first child, Lucy Oasis Arthurs.

Post-Oasis



Arthurs left the band in 1999, during the recording of Oasis' fourth album, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. In his official statement he claimed he wanted to spend more time with his family (his first son, Jude Arthurs - named after the Beatles' song Hey Jude - was born August 12, 1997). However, Noel Gallagher claims Arthurs left after a drunken row with Noel regarding a drink and drugs ban set by the band during recording. Noel had intended to ease the recording process by keeping Liam sober, and to make it fair, he insisted the rest of the band do likewise.

Arthurs could not cope and took to taunting Liam, drinking red wine and kicking other crew members doors in the early hours to pour booze over them[citation needed]. When Noel turned the tables and broke into Arthurs' room, waking him up by pouring wine over his head, Arthurs was so angry that he quit. His guitar parts were subsequently re-recorded by Gallagher.

Arthurs was replaced by Gem Archer, who was thereafter pointedly referred to as a "professional". The rest of the band downplayed the reaction to his departure, Noel commenting "it's hardly Paul McCartney leaving the Beatles". However, his status in the band was underlined when Guigsy also left, less than a month later, unwilling to continue without him.

Arthurs now lives in Manchester where he has built a studio under his house and formed Moondog One (named after Johnny and the Moondogs, one of the Beatles' former titles, before they rose to fame), which also includes The Smiths' Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke.

As of 2004 Arthurs teamed up with Thai superstar Sek Loso to play rhythm guitar alongside Loso's new English bandmates. The group is touring Asia, Europe, and the US in search of a label deal.

In early 2007 Bonehead had a visible presence in the North West of England for the first time since leaving Oasis 8 years previously. Bonehead's support for Andy Rourke's Versus Cancer fundraising concert saw the pair Busking together in Manchester's Cathedral gardens to raise Cancer awareness and to fundraise for Manchester's Christies Hospital. On March 30th 2007, the Versus Cancer concert was held at Manchester's MEN arena. Bonehead surprisingly played bass guitar (rather than the trademark rhythm guitar from his Oasis days) in a two-song-set early in the night. He was in a band billed as Electric Milk Band, which also featured former members of Happy Mondays amongst others. While Bonehead seemed at ease playing the instrument, it was so quiet that it was virtually inaudible in the mix. He also appeared to lap-up the crowds adulation (chants of "Bonehead" were heard as soon as the band walked onto the stage).

He has been playing DJ sets in clubs, most recently in London. His playlist heavily features Oasis classics like Live Forever, and collaborations between the Gallagher brothers and artists like Death in Vegas and The Chemical Brothers.

He also presented a radio show on BBC Radio Manchester with Terry Christian, Natalie-eve and Michelle Hussey. The show is Manchester Music and has had fellow Manchester Music artists as guests including intastella, members of Happy Mondays, The Smiths and The Charlatans amongst others.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Dublin Bus Defends Transport Delays At Oasis Gig

Concert promoters MCD tonight insisted the 80,000 capacity was not breached at this year’s Slane Castle gig.

Disgruntled fans flooded internet message boards and radio phone-ins complaining about massive transport delays, hour-long queues and alleged overcrowding at the Oasis headlined concert.

MCD accepted there were delays going into the venue as almost a quarter of concert-goers arrived on Dublin Bus.

But the firm said: “Overall the 80,000 fans who attended were extremely well behaved however there will always be a small number of individuals who engage in anti-social behaviour which is totally unacceptable.

“Attendance and capacity for the event was 80,000 which has been the capacity for standing concerts at the venue for the last 20 years.”

MCD spokesman Justin Green added: “We would maintain that there were 80,000 people in the venue.

“Safety is paramount.”

Gardaí, Dublin Bus, MCD, Slane owner Lord Henry Mountcharles and officials in Meath will review the weekend concert over the coming weeks.
[James Villas]

Unhappy fans have been asked to complain directly to MCD at contactmcd.ie.

Meanwhile, Dublin Bus said it carried about 20,000 people to and from Slane this year.

Some 200 buses were parked up on the N2 south of the Boyne and up to 60 more were held back in Navan to be called in if needed at the end of the concert.

In a statement, the company said it had more than enough buses to cater for the numbers who wished to travel.

“Dublin Bus was one of many bus operators operating public transport services to and from Slane,” a spokeswoman said.

“The transport arrangements for buses were deployed in line with the pre-arranged traffic management plan for the area.

“Some of these buses were unfortunately delayed en route to the city due to traffic volumes.”

Source: IOL.ie

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Tom Clarke: Liam's A Proper Gent

The Enemy's Tom Clarke has revealed that his well-publicised spat with Oasis is well and truly over after the band joined the Mancunian legends on tour. Last month, the singer was quoted as saying the Gallaghers were "past it", prompting Liam to call Clarke a "little fucker", but Tom has told Xfm it's all been smoothed over.

Speaking to Xfm's Steve Harris, Tom explained that the current Oasis/Kasabian/Enemy tour featured "probably the best line-up that's ever existed."

"Liam came up straight away," he explained. "As soon as I got there and got over my little illness, he made sure I knew the score. He's a proper gent and Noel is the most normal bloke in the world, who happens to have written some of the best songs ever."

Tom also told Steve that being onstage while Oasis did their thing wasn't necessarily the best vantage point. "I've watched them from the side of the stage, but to be honest it's better watching them out the front. The fans have the best seats. You've got to be out there, steaming, singing the songs."

Listen to the full interview here

The Enemy's new single 'Sing When Your In Love' is out now, They will continue their Oasis support shows at Wembley Stadium on 9th July & will embark on their own headline tour in November.

Source: www.xfm.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Liam Gallagher Becomes a Member Of The Paparazzi

When Liam Gallagher runs into the paparazzi, they're usually rewarded with a single finger salute and some harsh words - so the snappers who confronted the Oasis in Dublin, Ireland this weekend were shocked when, instead of fighting Liam turned the cameras on them for a change.

Click here to see the picture.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Was There Then: Vintage Oasis shots

Vintage Oasis prints by celebrated rock photographer Jill Furmanovsky go under the hammer at Christie's.

Click here to see some of her best shots.

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Towers Of London Reveal Liam Gallagher Inspiration Behind New Songs

Dirk Tourette gets ready to 'fight against the pricks' again

Towers Of London have revealed that they are working on a batch of new songs.

Writing on MySpace.com/towersoflondon, guitarist Dirk Tourette blogged that they have spent the past few months in their recording studio ("the air raid shelter"), working on new songs including 'President', 'Legslide' and 'Heard It On The Stereo'.

"Well, we have been sat down the air raid shelter for months now like the three stooges just really fuckin havin' a larf and remembering what it was all about in the first place," Tourette wrote. "Getting in peoples faces, fighting against the pricks and pissing against the wind. But mostly playing fast speedy rock 'n' roll."

Tourette promised that the new songs – which are likely to feature on the follow up to 2008 album 'Fizzy Pop' – will be "real headshakers".

He went on to quote Oasis' Liam Gallagher in his blog by saying "It doesn't matter if its outta tune...cos your cool."

Gallagher can be heard saying that on Oasis' cover of The Beatles' 'I Am The Walrus', which was released as the B-side to 'Cigarettes And Alcohol' in 1994.

Before signing out, Tourette added that Towers Of London will post some new demos online "soon".

Source: www.nme.com

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Liam Gallagher's Latest Twitter

Glad you have started to receive the clobber. Thanks for all your comments on the clothes & packaging nice one!

Follow Liam on Twitter by clicking here.

Source: www.prettygreen.com

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere

Taken from Noel's tour diary for oasisinet.com

Urgh..what a hangover! Horrific. Great, great night though. As spectacles go (and I don't mean the ones you wear) Slane Castle takes some beating.

I don't think I've seen The Prodigy since Knebworth but fuck me, they had it yesterday. Incredible behaviour. You gotta be good to follow Kasabian. They are.

Don't remember leaving the gig! I feel poisoned. Not looking forward to the flight home AND me and Irie Nancy have got to go to a friend's 40th tomorrow. More boozing. Shit!!

Got 10 days off though so mustn't grumble.

In a bit.

GD.

Source: www.oasisinet.com

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.

Some Might Say Oasis Are Still World Beaters After Slane Gig

Oasis, the one-time kings of Britpop, rolled back the years in front of 80,000 ecstatic fans on the banks of the Boyne.

Fourteen years after they last played Slane Castle, the Gallagher Brothers are back at the top — and it was a champagne supernova performance that wowed the huge crowd on Saturday.

That promised heat wave never did come but the kings of Mancunian cool turned up the heat from the first song.

Noel Gallagher admitted before the gig that his memories of the last time they visited Lord Henry Mount Charles's back garden were somewhat hazy.

But it must have all come back to him as he looked down at the huge crowd packed into the natural amphitheatre of one of the world's truly great rock venues.

And for the Gallagher brothers it was very much a family affair, with a huge contingent of the extended clan given VIP access for a gig that became something of a homecoming for a band still proud of their Mayo roots.

Kicking off with Rock ‘N’ Roll Star, the hill erupted as the British pop legends banged out some of their newest hits, such as Lyla and Shock of the Lightning, before delighting the crowd with classics including Roll With It, Wonderwall and their massive smash hit anthem Don't Look Back In Anger.

The united voice of thousands of the band's die-hard followers could be heard for miles around the castle as the iconic Manchester outfit rocked it up.

Back at the VIP garden party, scores of the brothers' extended family lapped up the atmosphere at a gig that is regarded as the first big date of the summer.

They could be seen living it up with other VIP guests in the cocktail bar, champagne room and Irish whiskey tent. Manchester City star Stephen Ireland was also on the list to party the night away alongside former Irish international footballer Gary Kelly.

Earlier, high-profile warm-up acts, including The Prodigy and Kasabian, entertained the crowd during the afternoon, as well as Mullingar band The Blizzards, who put on a high-energy set that was full of verve.

That kept the fans more than happy but there was no doubt who the real stars were.

With a whopping 70 million records sold worldwide, the crowd were left in no doubt that they were in the presence of a band that had shaped a generation.

This stadium tour sees the group play to their biggest audiences yet but it's doubtful they will ever forget their second visit to Slane. It was a triumph.

Source: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Tickets are still available for a number shows on Oasis' largest-ever UK Stadium tour, click here for availability of tickets.