Oasis Reunites and Goes on Tour
First Concert in Korea in 16 Years at Goyang Sports Complex
Young Audience of 20s to Teens Flock Together
“The Goyang area was abuzz with excitement as ‘Britpop Legend’ band Oasis returned to Korea after 16 years.”
On the afternoon of the 21st, the scene around the Goyang Sports Complex in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang City, where Oasis’s concert ‘Oasis Live 25 South Korea’ was held, was bustling with fans eagerly awaiting the performance.
Formed in 1991, Oasis was a pivotal band driving the Britpop scene in the 1990s. They sold over 90 million albums worldwide, with all seven of their studio albums reaching the top of the UK charts—a testament to their status as ‘living legends.’
However, since 2009, fans were unable to see them perform live due to a split caused by a dispute between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher. The band was on the brink of disbanding when they last met their Korean fans at the Ji-San Rock Festival in July 2009. About a month later, Noel’s departure led to the group’s dissolution.
Although the Gallagher brothers each visited Korea multiple times as solo artists, this was their first return under the Oasis name in 16 years. The anticipation was palpable, and the 50,000-seat venue sold out immediately upon ticket release.
From Daehwa Station, fans decked out in Oasis merchandise made their way to the concert venue, creating a lively atmosphere as they took photos at designated spots. Remarkably, despite Oasis’s heyday being in the 1990s, the crowd was predominantly in their 20s and 30s.
According to NOL Ticket statistics, the age breakdown of ticket purchases for this concert was 7.7% for teens, 55.5% for those in their 20s, 28.7% for those in their 30s, 5.2% in their 40s, and 2.1% in their 50s. Notably, more than 90% of attendees were in their teens to 30s, generations that did not experience Oasis’s prime years.
One concertgoer, Kim Min-kyung (23), shared her initial exposure to the band’s music through “fanchants” popular with foreigners on streaming platforms. Watching a fan singalong of ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ at Noel Gallagher’s solo concert made her a fan. She confessed her surprise at seeing Oasis reunite and expressed gratitude for their visit to Korea, smiling brightly.
Some fans were even handing out candies with Oasis lyrics inscribed on the packaging. Yang Yoon-ji (17) explained, “I wrote down lyrics that offer solace to people,” highlighting the band’s lyrical prowess in capturing the stark reality of British society while also connecting with listeners.
Yang noted her growing admiration for Oasis after attending two of Noel’s solo concerts and expressed her excitement for the current performance.
Another attendee, Yoo Jeong-han (34), mentioned his newfound interest in the band, despite being distanced from their original era. A self-proclaimed band music aficionado from an early age, he discovered Oasis’s immense popularity in the 90s. He laughed, “I’ve waited a long time for this. Since they are my heroes, I am even more thrilled.”
He also emphasized the enduring appeal of Oasis: “Their music is always positive and uplifting. Despite their troubled childhood, they sing about hope and the future, which is admirable. Their songs provide comfort during tough times and are irresistibly good, making them hard to stop listening to.”