The long-awaited news is out, and Liam and Noel Gallagher are finally putting aside their differences and have announced a string of tour dates for the UK and Ireland in summer 2025. The news sent fans into a frenzy, but while we're still awaiting confirmation of which version of Oasis we're going to see next year, our thoughts are turning to the other big question regarding these highly-anticipated shows: the support acts.
With high-profile dates at Manchester's Heaton Park, London's Wembley Stadium, and Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Dublin, the bill will have to be something apt for the historical importance of these reunion shows. Radio X has looked at the contenders, the evidence, and a few pieces of wild speculation. Remember: no support acts have been confirmed for the Oasis Live '25 date as yet. You'll be the first to know, don't you worry!
Oasis's Legacy of Stellar Support Acts
Oasis' supernova-exploding rise in the mid-90s saw them play some of the most iconic shows in British music history, with a revolving door of stellar support acts. During their first major tour in 1994, their debut album Definitely Maybe established Oasis at the vanguard of the blossoming Britpop movement. Playing alongside the Gallaghers in this period were Shed Seven, Saint Etienne, Primal Scream, and The Verve, who were ascending to indie godliness with their seminal debut A Storm In Heaven. It was a change in status for the two bands, as Oasis had supported The Verve back in December 1993, when they were still just known as "Verve." Sadly, the transcendent Wigan band split for good in August 2009, but frontman Richard Ashcroft's solo career has gone from strength to strength, so he could be a contender, as he supported Oasis on a number of occasions, notably at their Lancashire County Cricket Club show in September 2002. However, we have to take into account Noel's comments in 2018 about the Verve man having a "team of songwriters" behind him, which earned the wrath of Dickie. File under "not sure."
By 1995, as Oasis were promoting the landmark album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, the stakes were higher, and so was the quality of their support acts. Bands like Ocean Colour Scene and The Boo Radleys opened for the Gallaghers, both of whom were riding high on the success of the Britpop wave themselves. Oasis's relationship with OCS goes back to early 1994, when the Manchester band supported the Brummies on a number of dates, while Boo Radleys got back together and toured for the 30th anniversary of their excellent album Giant Steps in 2023 - could they make a reappearance alongside their former Creation labelmates? Also good to throw into the mix are Pulp, who supported Oasis at Sheffield Arena on 22nd April 1995, and The Bluetones, who played alongside the Gallaghers in Nantes, France in November 1995. At the two nights at Manchester's Maine Road in April 1996, Oasis were supported by Manic Street Preachers - still a going concern and are a good bet for an Oasis support slot in 2025.
The legendary Knebworth concerts in 1996 are perhaps the most famous gigs in Oasis history, drawing over 250,000 fans across two nights. The support lineup was equally legendary, featuring The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, The Charlatans, and Cast. All of these artists are still performing in 2024 - even Dreadzone and The Bootleg Beatles, who were also on the Knebworth bill, are still active, so who knows? At the Loch Lomond show the week before, the show was opened by Black Grape - and Shaun Ryder has already revealed he'd be up for playing alongside the Gallaghers in 2025.
The Contenders: From Britpop Legends to Modern Indie Stars
Oasis continued to command a strong lineup of support acts throughout their career. For their Be Here Now tour in 1997, they were supported by Supergrass and Travis, both of whom would become significant acts in their own right. Travis issued a new album in 2024 and Supergrass's last live dates were two years ago, so they're also in the "possibilities" camp. In the early 2000s, as the Britpop scene waned, Oasis began to be seen as elder statesmen of British rock and a number of contemporaries and new acts queued up to join the Mancunians at some of their biggest shows. The US North American "Tour Of Brotherly Love" saw Oasis play alongside The Black Crowes, while the celebratory "10 Years Of Noise And Confusion" tour in October 2001 featured guest appearances from Gallagher mates Paul Weller and Johnny Marr, both of whom could be seen at the Live '25 dates next year.
The Heathen Chemistry shows at London's Finsbury Park in July 2002, the support acts were The Charlatans, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Proud Mary (a Manchester band whose debut album Noel produced), and The Coral, while the City Of Manchester Stadium shows in the summer of 2005 featured Super Furry Animals, Doves, and The Subways. The Dig Out Your Soul tour kicked off on 26th August 2008 and ended with Oasis' messy split on 22nd August the following year, just as the band were due to play Rock En Seine in Paris. The jaunt took in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa, and racked up a huge number of support acts. Notable on the list as still being active in 2024 are Kasabian (now with Sergio Pizzorno as frontman), The Enemy, The Prodigy, Reverend & The Makers, Glasvegas, and Travis.
Since Oasis’ split in 2009, both Liam and Noel Gallagher both have pursued successful solo careers, with support acts that reflect their different musical directions. Liam Gallagher has embraced a mix of rising indie bands and nostalgic acts for his tours. Recent events have seen him supported by the likes of DMA'S and Idles, while he's also had support from Richard Ashcroft, bringing things full circle. Both Cast and The View have performed on the younger Gallagher's recent Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary tour. Noel Gallagher, on the other hand, has ventured into more eclectic territory with his band the High Flying Birds. His support acts here have varied in style from Johnny Marr to Confidence Man and his summer 2024 shows saw sets by The Big Moon, The Lottery Winners, and The Slow Readers Club.
Who Will Share the Stage with the Gallagher Brothers?
This is the big question. For the historical Oasis reunion dates, careful consideration will need to be given to the rest of the bill. Given the Manchester band’s history, it would make sense to mix classic Britpop acts with contemporary artists who’ve been influenced by Oasis. One credible candidate would be Aussie stars DMA's, who have already supported Liam at a number of shows and have acknowledged their debt to the Oasis sound. The Sherlocks, another band with a Britpop-inspired sound, could also be a solid choice, having already supported Liam in the past.
There are currently loads of other support act rumours flying about. Kasabian already have a long history of supporting the Gallaghers, and while The Modfather himself Paul Weller would be a fitting addition to the bill. How about local heroes Courteeners, whose Pink Cactus Cafe album drops in October 2024? Plus, frontman Liam Fray is from Middleton, so he could be home within minutes after the Heaton Park show. Surely, Blossoms could be a surefire contender for an Oasis support slot - they hail from Stockport, which is only a few minutes down the A6 from the Gallaghers' native Burnage, and their Wythenshawe Park show last weekend was one of the locations where the Oasis reunion teaser video was aired. With a new album, Gary, waiting in the wings, it could be a dream come true for the young band in 2025. And let's not forget Liam's son Gene Gallagher, whose band VILLANELLE are touring in November 2024, so will be well-rehearsed. How this would work politically within the Gallagher family remains to be seen.
Whoever supports Oasis on their 2025 reunion tour dates, it's bound to be an amazing day out!
