Oasis end first gig in 16 years with greatest hits

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"

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Watch: Moment Oasis take to the stage for first gig in 16 years

Live Reporting

Edited by Ben Frampton and Miriam Barker, with Mark Savage and Paul Glynn reporting from the gig

'So glad to be here with the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band,' says Ashcroftpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 4 July
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gig

Image source, PA Media
Richard Ashcroft is in high spirits.
“So glad to be here with the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band,” he says.
“When I heard Oasis were reforming I thought I was in it!”
If there's any man who can fill this support slot then it’s Ashcroft, whose former band The Verve toured with Oasis back in the early days.
The crowd are warming up too by singing along audibly to their track Sonnet.
And no bucket hat for Ashcroft, we can confirm.
Fans continue to pour in ahead of Richard Ashcroft setpublished at 19:01 British Summer Time 4 July
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gig

Image source, BBC/Paul Glynn
Richard Ashcroft is about to take to the stage and people are still pouring into the stadium.
Last chance for the loo guys.
And that's a wrap for Cast's setpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 4 July

Liverpudlian indie rock group Cast have finished their set.
Led by frontman John Power, the band have joined the Manchester favourites for 19 sold-out shows in the UK and Ireland.
There is just minutes until former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft is set to take the stage.
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Cast are a a Liverpool-based Britpop band
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
The band came to prominence in the 1990s Britpop explosion
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
The band will join Oasis for 19 sold-out shows in the UK and Ireland
Cast end a short, tight set filled with bangerspublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gig

“Take it easy everyone. A bit of love and peace,” says Power, introducing Cast’s final song, Alright.
It’s been a short, tight set that reminds you how many solid Britpop bangers the band wrote.
Seven top 10 singles isn’t bad, no matter how you look at it.
First bucket hat spotted on stage tonightpublished at 18:29 British Summer Time 4 July
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gig

We’ve seen many bucket hats today around Cardiff but Power’s denim number is the first we’ve seen on stage.
Goes well with that camo jacket, don't you think?
Cast mention passing of Liverpool forward, Diogo Jotapublished at 18:18 British Summer Time 4 July
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gig

A touching moment early on, as Liverpool fan Power dedicates the heartfelt ballad Walk Away to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, who sadly died this week aged 28.
“Take it easy brother.”
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, both died after the Lamborghini they were travelling in crashed in the Spanish province of Zamora
Stadium roof closed for tonight's show... but why?published at 18:13 British Summer Time 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from the gig

You might have noticed that the roof of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium has been closed for tonight’s show.
I’ve seen concerts use this setup before - and it really helps improve the sound quality and the intimacy of a cavernous stadium gig.
But I wonder if Oasis are also hoping to prevent helicopter and drone footage of their comeback gig leaking online?
Cast kick off the Oasis reunion tour with Sandstormpublished at 18:04 British Summer Time 4 July
Breaking
Paul Glynn
Reporting from the gig

Image source, PA Media
OK, here we go.
The stadium is roughly half full and Liverpool band Cast have just ripped straight into their '90s indie hit Sandstorm.
Strap yourselves in.
'My hubby has made the ultimate sacrifice'published at 18:02 British Summer Time 4 July
Kris Bramwell
BBC News

Image source, Carey
Carey and her hubby Mike saw Oasis at their last gig in August 2009 when "our children were all very small," she says.
"I’m back tonight with our three kids to be the first ones to see their return."
The family only managed to get four tickets for tonight so Mike "has made the ultimate sacrifice" in letting the kids go.
He’s driving Carey and children Ellis, Owen and Darci there and back!
"We're so excited!" says Carey.
Cast set to open the showpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 4 July

The countdown is almost over, with the first big event of the night due to begin any moment.
The first of two support acts, Cast - a Liverpool-based Britpop band - will take the stage at 18:00 BST.
They'll then hand to the second of tonight's support acts - The Verve's Richard Ashcroft - at 1900.
Stay with us.
Be here now...published at 17:55 British Summer Time 4 July
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, reporting from Cardiff

And we’re in! The stadium is filling up as video screens show footage of Oasis’s old gigs.
The PA is playing Live Forever and people are singing along already.
Watch as thousands of fans stream into stadiumpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 4 July
Nelli Bird
BBC News

Media caption,
Fans stream in as doors open for highly-anticipated Oasis gig
Thousands of fans were already queuing to get into the stadium as the gates have officially opened.
But it was a surprisingly calm affair, with no apparent cheering or fanfare at gates two and three.
Many fans have been in the city all day with huge crowds singing along to Oasis songs outside the pubs of Westgate Street before the gates opened.
But they were clearly itching to get in and the wait is over.
Video edited by Alex Knill
In pictures: First fans secure their spotpublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 4 July

Fans have been filtering into the stadium ahead of the big reunion.
Some queued for hours to bag the ideal spot, while others purchased specific tickets to make sure they'd have a top view.
After 16 years of waiting, there's only a little longer to hold on.
Image caption,
Some fans queued for hours to get a spot in the centre of the action
Image caption,
There are a mix of standing and seated areas being filled up at the Principality Stadium
Image caption,
The eager first fans in position
'I never lost faith Oasis would reform'published at 17:40 British Summer Time 4 July
James Kelly
BBC News

Image source, Sam Shiner
Image caption,
An excited Sam in Cardiff with her tour merchandise
For fans like Sam Shiner, tonight is set to be something of a spiritual experience.
She says she "never lost faith" that feuding brothers Noel and Liam would eventually put their differences aside and get back on the road.
The megafan from Wiltshire first spoke to the BBC in 2019, when Oasis' debut album Definitely Maybe turned 25.
Now, she is in Cardiff for the opening gig of the Oasis reunion tour.
“I never lost faith that they would reunite - but even so when it was announced it was mind blowing.
"Until this week I’ve not been able to process it. I’m so excited!"
Mad 'fer it? Definitely.
Can these Oasis fans impersonate the stars themselves?published at 17:29 British Summer Time 4 July

Media caption,
Can these Oasis fans impersonate the stars themselves?
How's your Mancunian accent?
Oasis fans in Cardiff give it their all as they attempt to impersonate Liam and Noel.
X post from Liam 'causes some to boycott'published at 17:20 British Summer Time 4 July

A few days ago, Liam Gallagher posted on X using a term which is commonly accepted to be a racial slur against people of East Asian origin.
He since deleted it and issued an apology: "Sorry if I offended anyone with my tweet before it wasn’t intentional you know I love you all and I do not discriminate. peace and love LG x."
Dr Chen-Yu Lin, lecturer in creative and cultural industries at Cardiff University tells the BBC it sparked "some outrage" in countries including China and Korea.
She says some people are boycotting the shows and trying to sell tickets.
"I think it's also showing audiences these days globally are more aware of the responsibility public figures have."
'I've been waiting for this comeback for 16 years'published at 17:10 British Summer Time 4 July
Oscar Edwards
Reporting from Cardiff

Image caption,
Siblings Carl and Alex say "nothing has filled the gap" since Oasis split up
Carl Davies says he is “delighted” to be here and already thinks it is the “fourth best day of his life” just behind his wedding day and the birth of his two children.
“I can’t wait to hear that intro and get the reunion party started,” he says.
The 42-year-old is not convinced the Gallagher brothers are going to roll with it throughout the tour.
“That’s why we’re here for the first night,” he adds.
His younger sister Alex Rooke, 33, says Oasis is “all I’ve listened to growing up”.
She says "rock and roll is back" adding that she is "absolutely buzzing" that the band have decided to kick off the tour in Cardiff.
“Wales is amazing. Cardiff is amazing. Everyone’s wearing Adidas, everyone’s wearing Oasis. We love to see it," she says.
It's time! Fans make their way into stadiumpublished at 17:01 British Summer Time 4 July
Breaking
Catriona Aitken
BBC News

Some have been queuing for hours, even days, others have rocked up straight from work - or the pub.
But the wait seems to be a step closer to being over as the doors appear to have opened for some people attending the gig.
It's not yet clear if all doors have been opened at Principality Stadium but we've seen some fans crowding in front of the stage - inside the venue.
And, as a reminder, first to take to that stage will be the support acts - Cast and Richard Ashcroft - before Liam and Noel take to the stage later.
Image source, ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA/Shutterstock
Queuing traffic around the stadiumpublished at 16:51 British Summer Time 4 July

There is queuing traffic around the Principality Stadium, with just a few minutes until the doors open.
Several roads are closed in the area, including Castle Street, Duke Street, Westgate Street and Wood Street.
But fans making their way into the city should also be aware of extra traffic on surrounding routes, including the M4, according to traffic data firm Inrix.
When did the Gallaghers arrive in Cardiff?published at 16:39 British Summer Time 4 July

Image source, @Joey2Steezy
We're not sure about Liam, but Noel opted to get the train to Cardiff ahead of the band's much-hyped gig in the city on Friday.
Eagle-eyed fan Joey, 16, spotted the Mancunian rock star on one of the platforms at about 14:00 BST on Tuesday.
"It felt so surreal seeing a rock icon live in the flesh. Their music has been such a big part in my parents' life and also mine too. I can't wait to see them both live on Friday," says Joey.
Read the full story here

'Nice one for coming with us': Oasis end first gig in 16 years with greatest hits

Summary

Live Reporting

'So glad to be here with the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band,' says Ashcroftpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 4 July

Fans continue to pour in ahead of Richard Ashcroft setpublished at 19:01 British Summer Time 4 July

And that's a wrap for Cast's setpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 4 July

Cast end a short, tight set filled with bangerspublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 4 July

First bucket hat spotted on stage tonightpublished at 18:29 British Summer Time 4 July

Cast mention passing of Liverpool forward, Diogo Jotapublished at 18:18 British Summer Time 4 July

Stadium roof closed for tonight's show... but why?published at 18:13 British Summer Time 4 July

Cast kick off the Oasis reunion tour with Sandstormpublished at 18:04 British Summer Time 4 July
Breaking

'My hubby has made the ultimate sacrifice'published at 18:02 British Summer Time 4 July

Cast set to open the showpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 4 July

Be here now...published at 17:55 British Summer Time 4 July

Watch as thousands of fans stream into stadiumpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 4 July

In pictures: First fans secure their spotpublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 4 July

'I never lost faith Oasis would reform'published at 17:40 British Summer Time 4 July

Can these Oasis fans impersonate the stars themselves?published at 17:29 British Summer Time 4 July

X post from Liam 'causes some to boycott'published at 17:20 British Summer Time 4 July

'I've been waiting for this comeback for 16 years'published at 17:10 British Summer Time 4 July

It's time! Fans make their way into stadiumpublished at 17:01 British Summer Time 4 July
Breaking

Queuing traffic around the stadiumpublished at 16:51 British Summer Time 4 July

When did the Gallaghers arrive in Cardiff?published at 16:39 British Summer Time 4 July

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