Is the Oasis Reunion Really That Great? Ticket Prices Are Up 400% and 70% of Grassroots Venues They Once Played Are Gone

by Megane Monki

It is no secret that the English rock band Oasis took the music world by storm. Their impact may have started in the ‘90s but recent news proves they still hold importance today. 

From rockers belting Wonderwall to indie kids’ vibing to Champagne Supernova, Oasis has had the gig culture a chokehold. 

Despite this successes, Oasis have never been shy of their passion for their origin city, Manchester, even after their rise to fame, so why don’t they support their Northern fans and grassroots venues?

Interestingly, many fans of the esteemed music group are not as impressed by the reunion as much as we would think they were...and here is why.

Oasis have accumulated a huge following, with a statistic showing 25,000 fans (4% of the UK) attending their early concerts back in 1996. Splitting up back in 2009 quickly hit the tabloids like a wildfire, spreading all across Europe. Similar to Fleetwood Mac, the band were battling inner conflict, mainly between hothead brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. 

Sibling rivalry in the music industry is nothing new, we’ve seen this with Britney and her younger sister Jamie Lyn and, arguably, Beyoncé and Solange, but Noel and Liam did not attempt to keep it subtle. 

Despite the tumultuous nature of the bands relationship, after 15 years, they announced a bold return to venues across the UK. 

Immediately trending, fans stated made comments that they are “over the moon” and that Osasis’ “mythical legacy influenced a generation of haircuts, swagger and attitude,” according to the BBC. 

However, X and Reddit critics have emerged, claiming that the surge in ticket prices is “too painful and not worth it.” While tickets were priced at just £38.15 for standing tickets to Wembley Stadium in 2009, the starting price was £151.25 for the reunion tour in 2025. That’s a 400% increase. 

Shockingly, this was a baseline as the millionaire musicians used Ticketmasters ‘dynamic’ pricing, meaning the cost increases with demand and leaving most tickets around the £355 mark. 

Beginning their career playing for smaller venues, just like many other successful British artists such as Ed Sheeran and Adele, as the audience grew; so did the venues. While this is somewhat to be expected, the lack of support from grassroots spaces is detrimental - and Oasis could play a huge role in reducing this impact. 

Wembley, where Oasis are now set to play seven of the tour’s 19 dates, has a capacity of 90,000; 10 million fans from 158 countries queued online for tickets; and 20 million fans acquired them. 

If just 1% of those ticket holders went to a gig at local, smaller venue with 300 capacity every season, they would be sold out every night for 7.3 years. Not only would this help local communities and economies, but ticket holders would be saving a butt-load of money. 

Supporting local venues means they can continue to platform upcoming talent - the future of the music industry - just like they did with artists like Oasis. 

In fact, Music Venue Trust recently shared, “The sobering reality that only 11 of the 34 grassroots music venues that Oasis played on their first tour still exist today.” If we keep letting them disappear, will we let our music disappear along with them?

By engaging with and promoting local creatives, artists can contribute to the growth and diversity of music within their communities. It also allows for collaboration and networking with other musicians. 

While Chappell Roan makes space for local drag performers during her tours, as she takes a lot of inspiration from drag culture, Oasis’ support act will be Cage the Elephant. 

While not announced yet, there’s also predictions their UK leg will share the stage with Blossom. The band were listed on the BBC’s Sound of Music category in 2016, that’s almost a decade ago - why couldn’t they platform someone unheard of?

Many Oasis fanatics are not too overwhelmed with this choice, with one online comment suggesting that this choice is merely out of nepotism, claiming that “Noel’s daughter is friends with one of the band members.”

Artists who actively engage with their local music scenes not only contribute to the development of the music industry, but also inspire and uplift aspiring musicians, fostering a spirit of creativity and collaboration. Funding is fast becoming a rarity for our young creatives, and our celebrities can help reduce this. 

Currently, the Birmingham City Council are in the process of cutting all funds directed to the Arts, which means there is less opportunity of young musicians to make a mark on the world the same way Oasis did. 

With her third album, Falling or Flying, produced by Birmingham production duo DameDame, Jorja Smith has made a point of not getting distracted from where she came from. 

Brought up in the West Midlands, Jorja Smith often highlights the support she received when making her music as a teenager growing up. Having started writing music aged just 11, she then earned a music scholarship being scouted when she was 15. Now, Jorja Smith is has shows everywhere from Australia to Japan and awards including the BRIT Critics' Choice Award and Best British Female Artist - as well as being a Grammy Nominee.

The point is, maybe if Oasis invested in local venues, they could open doors to other musicians that have been inspired by them, just as they were inspired by the Beatles.

Edited by Emily Duff