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Oasis’s Ups and Downs of Liam and Noel Gallagher’s Turbulent Partnership
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Oasis’s Ups and Downs of Liam and Noel Gallagher’s Turbulent Partnership

After 15 years and much recent speculation, Oasis are going on tour again.

This week, brothers and founding members Liam and Noel Gallagher announced they will reunite in 2025 for a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of Oasis’ debut album. Sure Maybeand next year the 30th anniversary of their second album, (What’s the story) Morning Glory?

Naturally, the road to this long-awaited reunion was bumpy.

After the Gallagher brothers became international superstars in the ’90s, their much-publicized rivalry resulted in a turbulent fifteen years in the spotlight, leading to the band’s breakup in 2009.

Here, look back at all the ups and downs — the fights and cancelled shows, the hits and the infighting — that have brought Oasis to this point.

1991: Oasis forms in Manchester

Oasis performed live in the 90s.

Ian Dickson/Redferns


Shortly after Liam Gallagher joined Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll’s Manchester band Rain and renamed it Oasis in 1991, brother Noel Gallagher joined and took full creative control of the project. Noel went on to define the band’s sound, single-handedly writing almost all of the songs on Oasis’ first four albums, including their biggest hits.

1994: Oasis release ‘Definitely Maybe’

Oasis before the release of their debut album in 1993.

James Fry/Getty


Released in August 1994, Oasis’ first album Sure Maybe was an immediate critical and commercial success. Propelled by the lead singles “Supersonic,” “Shakermaker” and “Live Forever,” the album reached No. 1 on the UK charts and was certified platinum in the US

1994: Sibling Rivalry

Liam Gallagher performing in 1994.

Mick Hutson/Redferns


However, the stormy relationship between frontman Liam and lead guitarist and songwriter Noel caused problems within the band from the start.

If The guard As early as 2009, it was noted that Noel had even briefly left Oasis after a disastrous September 1994 performance in LA, during which Liam hit his brother with a tambourine.

1995: Oasis releases ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’ out

Oasis in 1995.

Independent News & Media/Getty


In October 1995 the band’s second album, (What’s the story) Morning Glory? The album spawned mega hits like “Champagne Supernova” and “Wonderwall”, both of which reached number 1. Billboard‘s Modern Rock Tracks chart in the US, cementing Oasis as one of the biggest and most influential bands of the Brit Pop era in the 1990s.

1996: Tensions spill over to MTV

Liam and Noel Gallagher at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic(2)


At the height of Oasis’ success, Liam stopped filming MTV’s Unpluggedciting a sore throat and leaving Noel to take on vocal duties. Although he didn’t perform, Liam did show up at the recordings, drinking, smoking and booing his brother from a balcony at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

1999: Paul Arthurs and Paul McGuigan leave

Liam Gallagher performing with Oasis around 2000.

Lex van Rossen/MAI/Redferns


The Gallagher brothers are said to have been arguing constantly during the recording sessions for the 1997 single. Be here nowand the album was less positively received by critics.

During the recording of their fourth album in 1999, founding members Paul Arthurs and Paul McGuigan left the band. Standing on the shoulders of giants was released in February 2000 to mixed reviews and disappointing sales in the US. The band’s world tour in support of the album was also tumultuous. In May 2000, Noel left Oasis again, but rejoined the group later that summer for performances in the UK and Ireland.

2002: Liam Gallagher and Alan White arrested in Germany

Liam Gallagher in 2002.

Tim Ockenden – PA Images/PA Images via Getty


Oasis released their fifth studio album, Pagan chemistry, in July 2002 and embarked on another world tour. However, during a stop in Munich in December 2002, Liam and drummer Alan White were involved in a brawl in a nightclub and were subsequently arrested, forcing the band to cancel their four remaining shows in Germany.

2009: Noel officially leaves Oasis

Noel Gallagher in August 2009.

Mark Milan/FilmMagic


After the departure of drummer Alan White, Oasis released two more albums: the well-received Don’t believe the truth and 2008 Dig out your soul. Their tour in support of Dig out your soul ended abruptly when the band canceled an August 28, 2009, performance at the Rock en Seine festival near Paris at the last minute, reportedly following a backstage brawl between the Gallagher brothers.

Hours later, Noel released a statement via the band’s official website saying that “it is with some sadness and great relief…I have left Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply couldn’t carry on working with Liam another day.”

2009: Liam and the remaining band members continue

Liam Gallagher performing with Beady Eye in 2011.

Brian Rasic/Getty


After Noel’s departure, Liam and the remaining members of Oasis—although not a founding member—continued to tour and record as Beady Eye. The band split in 2014, and Liam has since released three solo albums since 2017.

2010: Liam ignores Noel at the Brit Awards

Liam Gallagher at the 2010 Brit Awards.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty


At the 2010 Brit Awards, (What’s the story) Morning Glory? was voted the best British album of the past 30 years. Liam accepted the award solo, thanking Oasis founders Paul Arthurs and Paul McGuigan, and longtime drummer Alan White — but omitting Noel — before throwing both the microphone and the trophy into the crowd.

2010: Noel forms a new band

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds performing live in 2011.

Brian Rasic/Getty


That same year, Noel formed a new band, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The band released their first album in 2011, followed by three more albums between 2015 and 2023.

2011: Liam sues Noel for defamation

Liam and Noel Gallagher in 2011.

Jo Hale/Getty Images; Barbara Zanon/Getty


The professional split did not immediately resolve the Gallaghers’ animosity. In 2011, Liam sued his brother for libel, after Noel stated at a press conference that same year that an Oasis show in August 2009 had to be cancelled because Liam was hungover. Liam claimed that the gig had been cancelled because he had laryngitis, which was the official explanation at the time.

“All I want is an apology,” Liam said in a 2011 statement. Noel quickly issued one and the lawsuit was dropped.

2023: Noel refuses to tour with Liam

Noël Gallagher in 2024.

Mark Holloway/Redferns


In preparation for the 30th anniversary of Oasis’ debut album, Liam announced in October 2023 a list of solo shows he would perform at in 2024 Sure Maybe in its entirety.

Ahead of the summer tour, the singer revealed in February that he had hoped his brother would join him. “My people called Noel’s management team,” Liam told MOJO. “We put an offer on the table for an Oasis thing — because it was offered to us — and he said no.”

“It was a big tour, a lot of money. He turned it down,” Liam added.

February 2024: Oasis is nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Liam Gallagher in 2024.

Steve Thorne/Redferns


In February 2024, Oasis were among the artists nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. As usual, Liam was characteristically sullen about the band’s nomination.

“As much as I love Mariah Carey and all that stuff, I want to say do me a favor and fuck off,” he said The Sunday newspaper. “It’s like putting me in the rap hall of fame, and I don’t want to be a part of anything that’s mentally deranged. Plus, I’ve done more for rock ‘n’ roll than half the clowns on that board. So it’s all bullshit.”

Ultimately, Oasis was not among the 2024 newcomers.

August 2024: Oasis announce 2025 reunion tour

Liam and Noel Gallagher in 2024.

Simon Emmett


And that brings us to the big news of the week. On Tuesday 27th August, Liam and Noel Gallagher announced multiple stadium dates in the UK and Ireland for their Oasis Live ’25 tour next summer.

“There was no big revealing moment that sparked the reunion,” the band’s management explained in a statement. “Just the gradual realization that the time was right.”

It’s not yet clear whether other Oasis founding members will join the Gallaghers on tour, but Tuesday’s announcement did confirm that the band plans to expand the 2025 tour to other countries outside of the UK and Ireland.