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EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING as fans prepare for Oasis’ long-awaited return to the stage this weekend, with two shows at Dublin’s Croke Park kicking off soon.
It’s been more than six years since the band last played in Ireland, and the chance to see Liam and Noel Gallagher live has sparked waves of nostalgia for those who were there the first time around.
Oasis may be from Manchester, but their Irish connections run deep, and their music has always found a passionate audience across the country.
From chaotic festival crowds to unforgettable first concerts, from first crushes in the mosh pit to lifelong memories of singing along to every song, Irish fans have plenty of stories to tell.
Here are a few of your fond memories of Oasis in Ireland.
Vicki Bergin and her friends were living in Dorset Street in 1996 when they heard Oasis were playing Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Excitement quickly turned to panic a week before the gig when they lost the keys to their flat.
“We spent hours searching, and ended up late for work pretending the flat had been broken into,” she said.
“Just to be safe, we hid our ten Oasis tickets in a pair of old, battered rollerblades.”
That evening, when they returned home, the flat had indeed been broken into, and everything of value was gone – except the tickets.
“We couldn’t believe our luck!”
The group made it to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for a gig that Vicki called “unforgettable”.
“From the train journey down, when the whole carriage was singing Oasis songs together, to the electric atmosphere on the streets, and of course, the concert itself was absolutely incredible.”
“We were so lucky, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience.”
Michael from Raheny remembers seeing Oasis at the height of their fame in March 1996 at the Point.
“The gig was absolutely packed, and the hysteria when they came on stage was unreal,” he recalls.
This excitement would only last so long, however.
The crowd were – as the lads would say themselves – ‘mad for it’, but the gig only lasted for an hour and a bit.
The Friday night set was cut short because Noel Gallagher had to dash to RTÉ Studios for an appearance on The Late Late Show.
“His mam, who is Irish herself, insisted that he show up,” Michael said.
“Apparently she told Noel that he would be in major trouble if he didn’t make it out to Gay Byrne.”
“People were a bit disappointed at first,” Michael says, “but then, seeing Noel perform Wonderwall live on Irish television, you couldn’t really be mad.
“It was classic Oasis chaos.”
Sarah still remembers her first festival experience vividly – REM at Slane in 1995, with Oasis supporting.
Only 13 at the time and without a parent, she was down near the front when a crowd surge caused some chaos.
“I got hit in the head and was taken to a first aid tent, in case of concussion, and kept there for a while,” she said.
“Apart from all that it was a brilliant day.”
I was only 13 but nobody batted an eye back then. Sure I only lived down the road.
“Everyone from Meath and Louth seemed to be there anyway.”
Macdara Ferris, a Dublin native, saw Oasis in 1994 at Dublin’s Tivoli Theatre, which has since been demolished and replaced by a hotel.
“Paid £6.75 for the ticket, some randomer threw up on my trainers, and I thought my hearing was damaged as my ears were still ringing the next day after hearing them play in such a small venue,” he recalled.
“They played a cover of the Beatles song ‘I am the Walrus’ as their encore – had that song going round in my head for days after.
“What a gig! Still stuck in my head all these years later.”
Fiona Wyse from Navan, Co Meath said that her love of Oasis began in 1995, when her parents took her to see REM in Slane.
“After that, I was hooked! Some of the standout shows include 1997 in the Point Depot, when Noel had to stand in for Liam,” she said.
“I was distraught at the prospect of not having the best frontman ever singing, but little did we know, Noel’s acoustic set would be something really special, it really made up for it.”
The highlight for Fiona, however, was a family trip to Cork.
“Back in the days when you actually had to ring Ticketmaster to get a ticket and speak to a human – how joyful! We drove down in my sister’s red Toyota Starlet with another one of my sisters and stayed in some random B&B.”
“You do have to wonder about the mental state of our parents when they decided to take the whole brood on a five-person family trip to see Oasis.
“I guess you could say they were ‘mad fer it!’”
Lorraine Ryan still remembers her first Oasis gig in Cork in 1994, and the excitement started long before she even got there.
Her dad, who passed away when she was in her early twenties, was a huge influence on her love of music.
“I remember him singing ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ around the house. He used to say, ‘Lorraine, these guys are going to be one of the biggest bands in the world someday. Mark my words.’”
She was only 15 when she got a ticket, and her dad was thrilled for her.
“I still remember what I wore (blue hipsters and a black top) and I’ve still got the ticket in the attic.”
The bus ride from Clare was filled with singing along to their Oasis tapes, and yes, a little too much cider for her age.
Once Oasis hit the stage, Lorraine was spellbound.
“I stood there in awe, singing my heart out. Liam was a bit cranky that day, giving out to the crowd for throwing bottles, but thankfully he stayed. Prodigy supported, and nearly brought the house down.”
Fast forward to the announcement of the comeback tour – Lorraine had ten people trying to get her tickets that morning, but no luck.
“I couldn’t believe I wasn’t going to see the lads back together again,” she said.
Then, a short text from her husband: “I’ve a surprise for you!”
When she asked what it was, the suspense nearly killed her. “You’re going to Oasis Sunday!” she read.
I actually cried with joy, I’m so excited. Best surprise ever, roll on Sunday.
Now 46, Lorraine is ready for the gig, still as excited as ever.
“I wish my dad was here to see it. I know he’d be so proud – and probably smug that he called it right all those years ago.”
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