Oasis Concert Review: Tissues Needed – The Irish Times
Oasis Reunion Tour: A Summer of Dads, Tears, and Football Chants
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The fervour surrounding the Oasis reunion isn’t just about the music; its a cultural moment, a collective yearning for a simpler time, and a surprisingly emotional experiance – particularly for the dads in the crowd. It’s a phenomenon I’ve been observing with keen interest, fuelled by a freind with impeccable Oasis credentials and a shared experience of watching the Cardiff gig via a slightly shaky TikTok livestream.
The Oasis Obsession is Real – and Runs Deep
My friend, let’s call her Kensit (a name she’s earned), is a walking Oasis encyclopedia. She was famously barred from the Merrion Hotel for a clandestine meeting with Liam and Bonehead during the Heathen Chemistry tour in 2003. Her kids, while occasionally rolling their eyes at her Oasis rants, can identify any song’s opening chords instantly – a skill that will undoubtedly serve them well. And her T-shirt collection? Extensive, to say the least. Her dedication is, frankly, inspiring.But it’s not just about long-term fandom. The response to Live ’25 has been broader, a wave of nostalgia washing over a generation. As Sarah and I abandoned a work event to watch the Cardiff show on a phone screen, it became clear this wasn’t just a concert; it was an event.
Tears, Football, and the Stunning Vulnerability of Men
“Oh my God, the dads are crying,” Sarah wailed, and promptly joined them. There’s something profoundly moving about witnessing men openly display emotion in public, especially when it’s rooted in something they genuinely love. It’s a vulnerability often reserved for the sporting arena.The outpouring of feeling at an Oasis concert feels akin to the ecstatic tears of joy when a favorite team secures a victory.
We all remember the iconic image of veteran Irish Times journalist John Healy weeping in a Dublin Castle press tent during Italia 90, as Ireland defeated Romania on penalties. Paul Gascoigne’s heartbreak, tears streaming down his face after a yellow card jeopardized his World Cup semi-final hopes, is another enduring memory. This emotional resonance extends to the oasis reunion.During “Cigarettes and Alcohol,” Liam gallagher prompted the crowd to “do the poznan,” a football celebration adopted from his beloved Manchester City.
This connection to football isn’t accidental. It speaks to a shared cultural touchstone for many of the men now revisiting their youth through Oasis’s music. It’s a reminder of simpler times, of camaraderie, and of uninhibited passion.
More Than Just Music: A Collective Embrace of joy
There’s more to dads than football and Oasis, of course. But the overwhelmingly positive response to this reunion, and the opportunity to witness men experiencing a joy comparable to that seen at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, has been a defining moment of the summer. It’s a collective release, a shared experience of nostalgia and exhilaration.
And perhaps, on a deeper level, it’s about family. Estranged from their own father, Liam and Noel Gallagher’s onstage hug and visible affection feels particularly poignant. They might just be feeling the love radiating from thousands of dads in Croke Park this weekend, a surrogate fatherhood from a devoted fanbase. If those dads are crying, you’ll find me right there with them, lost in a puddle of shared emotion and the enduring power of Oasis.