How is it possible that Oasis packed Madison Square Garden to the rafters last night? No offense — I was one of the 15,000+ fans yowling along to most every song. But a sold-out arena… in the United States…in 2008? Their last real mainstream hit here was well over a decade ago. Even Liam Gallagher was wondering the same thing. "Anyone here from England?" he asked between songs. When a hearty fraction of the crowd cheered back, the perma-sneering frontman cracked a rare grin: "I thought that’s how we’d sell this place out." But it was an overwhelmingly American house from what I could tell. Evidently I’m not the only Yank who still counts Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? as all-time great albums.
And when the band ripped into classics like "Morning Glory," "Supersonic," and "The Masterplan" — featuring a great lead vocal from big brother Noel Gallagher (pictured) — suddenly it was very easy to understand why we were all there in such large numbers. Those songs rocked as hard last night as they ever did in the ’90s. Hell, even the tunes from the band’s less-awesome later albums sounded all right! Anyone who’s seen Oasis on their current tour feel me on this?
More on Oasis:
Liam didn’t make it onto EW.com’s All-Time Best Rock Frontmen and Women. Whaaat?!
Their latest, Dig Out Your Soul, got a B– review from EW
They made EW’s Best of 1996 issue
EW reviewed a show they played in Philadelphia in March ’96
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Good to see Oasis is still a big draw over here. Although I haven;t heard much of their recent stuff, I was always an Oasis fan.
I don’t want to reward bad behaviour but there was something abotu Oasis and the way they boorishly acted that made me think of them as rock stars. A lot of groups don’t have the vibe.
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I haven’t checked them out on tour yet, but given the chance I would have LOVED to be there!! I still think Oasis rocks =)
Oasis was the first concert I ever saw, and it must have been ten years ago, as I was in fifth grade then and I’m a junior in college now. But I’d have to say, it was probably the most rocking concert I have ever seen — and I’ve been to quite a few since that have given Oasis a run for their money (White Stripes and Green Day come to mind), but haven’t quite surpassed them.
I know that in certain cities they are running a 2 for 1 ticket offer to the Oasis shows. With the service charges, it’s still a pricey night out, but might account for some larger attendance.
I wasn’t really much of a fan until I saw them live at ACL fest a couple of years ago. We went for my husband, but now I really enjoy them too. Bought the new-ish album yesterday and it is really good.
I went in Winnipeg. It was an amazing concert!
Saw them about three years ago. Love love love.
i saw them at the staples center in LA… it was awesome! it was great to hear their old classics
Great post. Very interesting. It is hard for an artist nowadays to sell out the Garden on their name alone… even artists like Bruce Springsteen know it’s a big deal when they do.
Must be an NYC thing. There were only about 4000 of us rocking at the show in Minneapolis last week. It was kind of depressing because the venue had room for 19,000. My husband I purchased some nose bleed seats and were upgraded to 3 rows off the floor when we got to the show.
Simon, was at the show last night as well and absolutely LOVED it. I thought the stripped-down “Don’t Look Back in Anger” to start the encore was fantastic, but even newer hits like “Lyla” and “Falling Down” sounded great. I had seen them at MSG in 2005 and the crowd was dead compared to last night. Great show, and glad to see EW recognizing a great band!
I was at the show last night. Oasis is still one of the best rock bands in the world. Played all their classic stuff and all their new stuff off “Dig Out Your Soul”. Great album, check it out people. And they closed with the Beatles “I am the Walrus” .. much better than the Coldplay concert I saw in September.
Everyone I know in NYC has away messages about being at the Oasis concert last night…I thought it was really random.
Oasis is a well-kept secret in the U.S. Not among all of us of course (saw them last Saturday and they rocked as usual) but most Americans only know Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova. If Sony would have marketed them properly, and the band members would have been a bit less antagonistic in the 90s, I think they could easily have been as big as U2 here. They certainly have the songs, the swagger, the whole package.
Oasis played in Dallas a couple of years ago to a massive crowd. Their most recent two album, while not innovative or classic, are actually pretty good. Their first two albums, plus the associated B-sides, have held up really well. Oasis offers rockers and ballads, while avoiding off-putting whine of Emo, the negativity of grunge and the insular preciousness of indie.