'It's good to be back': Oasis get crowd bouncingpublished at 20:20 BST 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gig
The crowd are bouncing as Liam leans into the mic and intones: “Hello, hello / It’s good to be back.”
Summary
Oasis have rolled back the years with a greatest hits set on the first night of their long-awaited reunion tour
"Nice one for coming with us over the years," Liam Gallagher says as the band finish up their set at Cardiff's Principality Stadium - their first in 16 years
Crowds were singing along to Wonderwall and Don't Look Back in Anger as the night drew to a close - as our culture writer Paul Glynn says: "No need for Noel to sing the chorus. He doesn't need to"
Earlier, the brothers walked hand-in-hand on stage, as Liam Gallagher acknowledged the ticket pricing fiasco - we have more on that here
Outside the stadium the music has been blaring, as some fans experience Oasis's comeback from the "cheap seats"
Watch: Moment Oasis take to the stage for first gig in 16 years
'It's good to be back': Oasis get crowd bouncingpublished at 20:20 BST 4 July
First song Oasis play in 16 years? Hellopublished at 20:18 BST 4 July
BreakingMark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gigAnd they’re here!
“Oasis vibes in the area,” says Liam, as they careen into Hello.
Oasis hit the stagepublished at 20:17 BST 4 July
BreakingCharlie Buckland
BBC NewsThe wait is over.
Oasis has hit the stage, breaking their 16 year hiatus.
The long-standing quarrels and differences have finally been pushed aside, as brothers Noel and Liam stand side by side to perform together.
A moment which many thought would never be possible, they stand before 74,000 fans ready to reel off their anticipated set list.
'This is not a drill': Seconds away from Oasis's arrivalpublished at 20:16 BST 4 July
BreakingMark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gig“This is not a drill. Can we have the lights in the arena down.”
We’re about to begin.
A video montage shows headlines about the band’s reunion. We’re seconds away from their arrival.
'Their music will live forever'published at 20:14 BST 4 July
We've been hearing from Oasis fans across the UK who weren't lucky enough to get tickets for the gig tonight at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Here are some of the responses we've had:
"Oasis changed my life as a 15 year old. I could totally relate to the lyrics & music. They split up a year before my first son was born. I’ll be taking him to Heaton Park to see them as he adores them. He’s 15 years old. Their music will live forever." Kev Ashford, Manchester
"Couldn’t get tickets but absolutely BUZZING for the reunion!" Alun, Cardiff
"I didn’t get the chance to see Oasis, but the thought that the most rock and roll band in the world are playing tonight is absolutely electric." Alfie, Wrexham
"I’ve been waiting 16 years for this. I’m 44 and have been to numerous Oasis concerts but I’m going with two friends that have never been to an Oasis gig before." Mark England, Southport
Have a memory you want to share? Excited about an Oasis gig? Missed out on tickets? Let us know.
Oasis about to hit stage for first time in 16 yearspublished at 20:12 BST 4 July
Charlie Buckland
BBC NewsAny moment now, Oasis are due to break their 16 year hiatus and hit the stage at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The rock band's last gig was at V Festival in 2009, and their last show in Cardiff was in June 2009 - just months before Noel quit the group.
At the time he said he "simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer".
But now, 5,795 days later the day has come when the pair will be reunited on stage.
Many fans flew in for the momentous occasion, from places such as Chile, Colombia, Korea and across the US.
While we won't be able to show the performance in the live stream, we will share the electric atmosphere from our reporters on the ground.
Image caption, Oasis last performed on stage together at V Festival in 2009
Slade, John Lennon and The Jam blasted over the speakerspublished at 20:11 BST 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gigAs we wait for Oasis, the PA system is blasting out some of Liam and Noel’s desert island discs.
Among the hits: Slade’s Cum On Feel The Noize, John Lennon’s Power to the People, and The Jam’s A Town Called Malice.
Gavin and Stacey's Rob Brydon among the crowdpublished at 20:10 BST 4 July
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gigAs well as pictures of Welsh rugby legends on the walls, there’s an actual Welsh comedy hero near us in the form of Rob Brydon.
The Gallaghers are known for their wit and humour on stage as well as their songs and we’ll see what they have in store for us in a matter of minutes.
Paramedics carry one man out of stadiumpublished at 20:10 BST 4 July
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gigA group of paramedics have just carried one man out of the crowd.
It has been a long hot day here in Cardiff and it’s also hot inside the stadium which has its roof firmly on.
Fans still hoping to grab a last minute ticketpublished at 20:07 BST 4 July
Alice Mickleburgh
Reporting from Cardiff
Image source, BBC/Alice MickleburghThe crowds are have definitely cleared outside the stadium now.
But we’ve met quite a few hopefuls looking for a last minute spare ticket.
Oasis kit being wheeled onto the stagepublished at 20:04 BST 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gigThe road crew have wheeled out Oasis’s drums and amplifiers.
Setlists have been taped to the stage - sorry, I’m not close enough to read them - and towels have been strategically placed next to Noel and Liam’s positions.
Stay tuned for further revelatory insights.
Long queue at the bar with Oasis close to taking to the stagepublished at 20:01 BST 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gig
Image source, BBC/Mark SavageThere's a long queue at the bar ahead of Oasis taking to the stage shortly.
If I was at the back, I’d be worried about getting served before they take the stage.
Only 15 minutes to go!
Bucket hats out in force, but where did the trend come from?published at 19:56 BST 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gigIf you’ve seen photos from Cardiff today, you’ll know that the bucket hats are out in force.
Liam Gallagher’s headgear of choice, they started out as humble Irish outdoor hats in the 1900s as a way to protect farmers and fishermen from the elements.
During World War Two, they were adapted as military wear before becoming fashion statements in the '90s.
Perennially associated with Britpop, they have added significance here in Wales where they've become the unofficial uniform of the country’s football fans over the past 15 years.
Brilliantly, the red, yellow and green hats were the idea of a Welsh football fan who’d been obsessed with Oasis and the Manchester music scene.
"The popularity has taken me aback a bit, you know, because I'm quite a humble person,” says Tim Williams, who started selling the headwear in his Spirit Of 58 shop in 2010.
"It's just a bit of fun and brings a lot of colour."
Image source, Getty ImagesAshcroft receives standing ovation as set comes to a closepublished at 19:48 BST 4 July
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gigA standing ovation follows Bittersweet Symphony, which Ashcroft receives arms open.
That’s how you get the party started.
Red flares were let off in the Welsh rugby stadium during his set and there's now a lingering smell of smoke (and excitement) in the air.
Bittersweet Symphony performed with extra vervepublished at 19:42 BST 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gigBittersweet Symphony was The Verve’s biggest hit, spending 56 weeks on the UK chart in 1997 and 1998.
Ashcroft performs it with extra… well, verve, these days - after one of rock’s biggest injustices was resolved.
The song was embroiled in a legal battle shortly after its release as it samples an orchestral version of The Rolling Stones' song The Last Time.
As a result, Ashcroft had to sign over his rights to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards - meaning he earned nothing from his Britpop classic for 22 years.
Years of negotiations finally resulted in the musician getting back his share of the royalties in 2019, a development he called “life-affirming in a way."
"They play it [Bitter Sweet Symphony] before England play. So I can sit back and watch England... and finally just enjoy the moment,” he told me at the time.
Crowd on their feet for Bittersweet Symphonypublished at 19:39 BST 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gig“Oh yeah, what a crowd tonight,” says Ashcroft. “This couldn’t have started in a better place.”
With Oasis due out in 45 minutes, he signs off with “a big one”... You guessed it, Bittersweet Symphony.
For the first time, everyone in the seats around me gets to their feet and sings along. Ashcroft lets them take vocals on the first chorus and it’s electric.
An early appearance from Liam Gallagher?published at 19:35 BST 4 July
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gigLiam Gallagher featured on a recent acoustic album by Ashcroft. I wonder if he’ll fancy coming on for a little appearance alongside his old friend tonight before his own gig?
Not that Ashcroft needs the help, he’s blasting out Lucky Man now and arms are aloft for miles. The audience are going to be feeling a little hoarse tomorrow.
Footballs flying around a rugby stadiumpublished at 19:30 BST 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gigThe stadium has pretty much filled up now.
Footballs are being lobbed into the air and fans are pressed up against the barriers. Ashcroft has just strummed the opening chords to Drugs Don’t Work and phone lights are pinging into the air all around me.
There’s a real sense that everyone’s here for a singalong and the volume’s only going to get louder when Oasis break out Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back In Anger later tonight.
The Verve classics and some solo hits in Ashcroft's setpublished at 19:23 BST 4 July
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gig“I’m gonna get the first one going,” declares Ashcroft before delivering a chant of “O-A-SIS!”
He’s working his way through a tight set of The Verve classics as well as some solo songs - including A Song for the Lovers and Break the Night with Colour - with his booming, blue-eyed soul voice.
Image source, PA MediaAshcroft begins with Sonnet and Space & Timepublished at 19:07 BST 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gigAshcroft has his arms outstretched, leading the crowd in a chant of “oh my my” as he draws out the ending of Sonnet.
With a brief “thank you”, he goes straight into Space & Time.