[Review] Our Oasis Remains Forever Young
Oasis Returns to Korea After 16 Years: 55,000 Fans Gather in Goyang
92% of Audience Are Millennials & Gen Z
Thunderous Korean Sing-Along Overcomes the Cold?"Beautiful"
"I'm free to decide what I want to be. Whatever I choose, I'll sing the blues if I want." (I'm free to be whatever I want. Whatever I choose and I'll sing the blues if I want.)
Noel Gallagher's gritty guitar and Liam Gallagher's powerful vocals cut through the autumn night. The Britpop band Oasis returned to Korea for the first time in 16 years. On October 21, 55,000 fans gathered at Goyang Sports Complex in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Even the biting wind couldn't dampen the excitement.
Formed in 1991, Oasis has sold over 90 million albums worldwide and achieved number one on the UK charts with all seven of their studio albums. The band produced hit songs familiar to Korean audiences, such as "Don't Look Back in Anger," but disbanded in 2009 due to the conflict between leader Noel and vocalist Liam Gallagher, who are brothers. After pursuing separate careers, the two announced their reunion in August last year.
That night, Oasis opened the show with "Hello," signaling their reunion. They quickly followed with signature tracks such as "Acquiesce," "Morning Glory," "Some Might Say," and "Bring It On Down," energizing the crowd. As soon as the first song began, the audience rose to their feet, raised their hands, swayed to the rhythm, and sang along to the chorus. The group singing continued with each new song.
In the middle of the concert, as "Fade Away" and "Supersonic" played, fans linked arms and jumped together, shouting "Rock and roll!" During "Talk Tonight," tens of thousands of phone flashlights lit up the audience, and Liam responded by chanting "Beautiful."
When "Stand by Me" started, almost everyone, including those in the third-floor seats, stood up and moved to the music. The band continued with "Roll With It," "Half the World Away," "Little by Little," and "D'You Know What I Mean?" In the standing section on the field, fans held hands and danced in a circle, celebrating together.
The atmosphere reached its peak during the encore. Especially during "Don't Look Back in Anger," the band handed the song over to the crowd, letting them take the lead. When the chorus "So Sally can wait" rang out, the audience's powerful singing overwhelmed the band's voices. For the final song, "Champagne Supernova," fireworks lit up the night sky.
Oasis first performed in Korea in 2006, selling out every seat, and returned twice in 2009. This reunion came after 16 years. Tickets for this concert sold out as soon as sales opened. According to NoL Ticket, 7.7% of ticket buyers were teenagers, 55.5% were in their twenties, and 28.7% were in their thirties, meaning Millennials & Gen Z accounted for about 92% of the audience. Middle-aged fans enjoyed the nostalgia, while those in their teens and twenties discovered new appeal in the band's music.
Fans began gathering at the venue six to seven hours before the show. Long lines formed in front of posters as people waited to take commemorative photos, and the merchandise booths were packed with fans eager to buy T-shirts, posters, and keyrings emblazoned with the Oasis logo. Those who couldn't get tickets enjoyed beer and music near the entrance.
Jiyoon Koo (22), who became a fan after watching a group singalong video of "Don't Look Back in Anger," said, "I studied the songs on YouTube in advance just for the singalong. The freedom in the music makes me feel lighter." Sunghoon Joo (42), who failed to get tickets for Oasis's first concert in the UK in July, said, "I came early and bought some merchandise. I'm happy to hear the music of Oasis, which was with me in my youth."
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Before the band's breakup, Liam once said in an interview, "Oasis's heyday is over. We're touring for the money, so just come to the concert and buy some damn T-shirts (merchandise)." After so many years, the reunited crowd sang, danced, shouted, and jumped-almost as if they had never been apart.
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