Amazing moment Liam and Noel Gallagher walk out hand in hand as Oasis reunite for first time in 16 years in Cardiff
LIAM and Noel Gallagher clasp hands as they take the stage for the Oasis concert fans worldwide thought they would never see.
Newspaper headlines about the hugely-anticipated reunion flashed up on huge screens amid deafening cheers from the 74,500 sold-out crowd.
And the pair paid a touching tribute to tragic Liverpool football star Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash on Thursday in Spain.
Liam, giving some oomph to his trademark swagger, told fans “Manchester vibes in the area” before the band launched into Hello, the opening track on their multi-million selling second album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?.
The song’s lyrics include the line “It’s good to be back” — and fans agreed.
The band then smashed into 1995 B-side and fan favourite Acquiesce.
The poignancy of the lyrics — including “because we need each other, we believe in one another” — was lost on no one in the crowd.
Many believed they would never see the day Noel, 58, was back on stage with Liam, 52, after their bitter feud which erupted when Oasis split up in 2009.
The two-and-a-quarter hour set was packed with big moments, including the tribute to Jota — whose funeral will take place today.
The Sun understands lifelong Manchester City fans Noel and Liam made a late request following his sudden death aged 28 for their team to add him to the visuals used during their 1994 hit Live Forever.
At the end of the track, a photograph of Jota wearing his Liverpool strip with the No 20 on the back appeared — with the crowd breaking into huge applause as fans noticed the player on the screen.
Earlier, Liam, boiling in a thick coat on stage, shouted: “Yes, beautiful people, simmer down”, as the band settled in for their set — which was ear-splittingly loud in the Principality Stadium.
Noel and Liam chose songs mainly from their first two albums, 1994’s Definitely Maybe and 1995’s (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?.
Liam kept his words short and sweet, joking: “You’re still on the glue down here, then”, in reference to fans going wild as they played their 1995 No 1 hit Some Might Say, then Bring It On Down.
Before Cigarettes & Alcohol, Liam urged the crowd: “I want you to do us a favour. I don’t ask much.
“I want you to turn around, every single one of you. Put your arms around each other like you like each other and when the tune starts you jump up and down. It’s f***ing easy.”
Joking again later with the crowd, before playing Slide Away, Liam asked: “You’re all having a good time yeah? Was it worth the £40,000 you paid for a ticket?”
The concrete floor shook under the weight of tens of thousands of frenzied fans who dutifully jumped up and down during Fade Away, Supersonic and Roll With It.
In the stands model Cara Delevingne danced with actress Anya Taylor-Joy, while Danny Dyer, singer Louis Tomlinson and Kasabian’s Serge Pizzorno bounced around.
Fans had feared Liam was struggling with his voice prior to the show after he was seen arriving at rehearsals with throat sweets.
But on stage he sounded better than ever.
Taking the mic from Liam, Noel thanked the fans before crooning Talk Tonight, Half The World Away and Little by Little.
Noel’s moment in the spotlight was lapped up by fans thanks to his flawless vocals and deft handling of his guitar.
At points he appeared genuinely taken aback by the reaction of the crowd — allowing him to soak in the atmosphere as adoring fans sang for him.
Liam returned to his older sibling for D’You Know What I Mean?.
In terms of musicality and ability, both Noel and Liam have bettered with age, with Oasis stalwarts Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, Gem Archer and Andy Bell also doing justice to the classics.
Oasis numbers
70m records sold worldwide
8 number one albums and 8 number one singles
6 Brit Awards and 9 Q Awards
255+ arguments and 1 reconciliation
After Live Forever, Liam teased: “Right, this is the last one,” before blasting into Rock ‘N’ Roll Star.
But fans were unconvinced it was really the end — and the brothers waited until the screams were deafening before returning to the stage.
A four-song encore followed. Before singing the final song of the night, Liam shook his maracas as he told the stadium: “Right you beautiful people, this — is — it,” then launching into fan favourite Champagne Supernova.
Finally, bowing to their fans, Liam raised his hands above his head to give a round of applause to the crowd, before he walked over to Noel and they hugged.
As the pair embraced every fan screamed with joy before the brothers walked off stage, sealing the gig in music history.
Staff to stars
OASIS have hired Justin Bieber’s bodyguard and Madonna’s chef for their reunion tour.
A source said of East London hard man and security expert Ian Norrington: “He’s one of the best in the security business and looked after Justin for years.
“Oasis know the tour’s going to be frenzied so there’s no one better. At the height of his fame, Justin’s fans were wild and the crowds around him were huge.
“Ian’s an old hand and is the perfect fit.”
He is on board for the global 41-date sold out run.
Another insider said of chef Darren Staats: “He knows exactly what the band want to eat on tour. It’s got to be healthy and nutritious — as well giving them plenty of energy to get through the gigs.
“Darren’s previously worked for Madonna and Tori Amos.
“There’s focus on clean foods, as well as rustling up some of their favourite grub as a treat.”
Oasis live: Review
By Ellie Henman
THE solid concrete floor of the Principality Stadium is shaking so hard I’m scared it might collapse — but the fear is the price I paid to watch the spectacular Oasis comeback.
The set list made me feel like I was being punched in the face, repeatedly, by the Nineties.
Liam’s vocals were out of this world.
He ought to get an advertising deal with Halls Soothers.
And Noel’s masterful guitar is sure to inspire generations of young musicians.
Like millions, the only hands I ever expected to see the Gallagher brothers putting on each other would be reaching for each others’ throats.
To see them standing as brothers in arms — with guitars rather than guns — is a moment I’ll never forget.
★★★★★
