During its original existence – the 1990s and 2000s – the Oasis never became a stadium attraction in Brazil. His only show in the country was held to an audience of over 30,000 people at the Rock in Rio 2001, to a crowd that insistently shouted the name of the night’s main attraction, Guns N’ Roses. The situation is completely different in Argentina, where brothers Liam (voice) and Noel Gallagher (guitar) are very popular and have been playing on football fields since their first visit in 1998.
There’s nothing like time to do justice to one of the biggest rock bands to come out of the UK. After 16 years apart, Gallagher has reunited with three former members – guitarists Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs (wearing a Brazilian national team jersey here) and Jim Archer and bassist Andy Bell – for a tour that caused such a sensation that they took them to São Paulo’s Morum Pace Stadium to play on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd. The line-up is completed by a string of backing musicians: Joey Waronker (drums), Christian Madden (keyboards), and Jessica Greenfield (backing vocals), Alastair White (trombone), Steve Hamilton (saxophone), and Joe Oakland (trumpet).
His audience is estimated at 66 thousand fans per night. Unlike cases of other artists and old bands who decide to play again, this audience also seems to consist of young people. This explains not only the return of the oasis, but also the occupation of huge areas that they could not fill at other times, at least in Brazil and in countries such as the United States.
Organically, Oasis’ fan base has been renewed. People who had nothing to do with the countless disagreements that Liam and Noel had at the height of their lives had access to albums like Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory (1995) – that album, one of the 10 most streamed rock albums in Spotify history – and focused solely on the songs. In the tones, in the melodies, in the message. Simple but effective, like all good rock music.
That’s what fans new and old heard, frankly, at the first two shows at MorumBIS. Songs with strong melodies, honest performances, and lyrics that address everyone without discrimination. Morning Glory was the centerpiece of the tracklist, with eight of the 12 tracks performed, while debut album Definitely Maybe (1994) and B-side compilation The Masterplan (1998) featured six and five songs respectively.
Although Oasis’ discography is wide-ranging and has standout tracks across all albums, it is clear that 20 of the 23 songs included in the unchanged repertoire of the reunion tour come from the first half of the 1990s – the B-sides selected are from that time, although the aforementioned set The Masterplan was released in 1998. Liam and Noel realize the obvious: audience demand is for songs from the aforementioned period, when the brothers’ ambition and hunger conquered the world.
The four opening numbers – “Hello” (a reference to the composition of glam icon and criminal Gary Glitter), “Acquiesce” (a summation of the brothers’ exemplary vocal dynamics), “Morning Glory” (cathartic live as in the studio version) and “Some Might Say” (one of Noel’s favorites) – were born specifically in 1995. They feature some of the most explosive choruses in the group’s entire catalogue. The next set, with four from 1994, is even denser: “Bring It On Down,” “Cigarettes & Alcohol” (including Poznan, a moment in which fans celebrate with their backs to the stage), “Fade Away” and “Supersonic” bring a purity to the group that hadn’t even penetrated when these songs were recorded.
‘Roll with It’, unfairly defeated in the Britpop battle by Blur, precedes the block driven by Noel Gallagher’s excellent vocals, and with the delicate ‘Talk Tonight’, ‘Half the World Away’ and ‘Little by Little’, this is the only representative of a 21st century album. If the sentence “Do you know what I mean?” Perhaps little in the repertoire, “Stand By Me”, an overlooked hit at shows from 2002 to 2009, proved indispensable – as well as the ballad “Cast No Shadow”, dedicated to opening act and Britpop reference Richard Ashcroft, and “Slide Away”.
“Whatever,” the B-side that explores Liam’s deep voice but didn’t even make it onto The Masterplan, also justifies its inclusion in this collection. From now on, just undeniable hits. “Live Forever”, one of the first hits by recently deceased guitarist Manny (Stone Roses); “Rock and Roll Star” is a song that sums up the essence of the band. ‘The Masterplan’, with Noel’s enchanting voice opening the encore before blockbusters ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Champagne Supernova’… If this inspiring finale doesn’t capture why Oasis have survived the test of time so well, what else could?
Amazing legacy and performance aside, the MorumBIS shows were probably the last Oasis shows for a while. Or even forever. You will know. There are no dates set yet for Sunday the 23rd, and Liam said his comments referring to shows have sparked some internal discomfort – perhaps from Noel. It is unlikely that the group will remain cohesive, but we are aware of the volatile internal relationship.
On the other hand, it would be crazy to stop again. The brothers organized one of the most famous rock reunions of the past two decades. Since last July, they have been able, without much dispute or controversy, for the first time in their careers, to fully enjoy the glories of work that has made a difference in the lives of millions. I hope that the completed tour of MorumBIS will serve as a preliminary step to more.
Settings menu:
1. Hello
2. Compliance
3. Morning glory
4. Some might say
5. Bring it down
6. Cigarettes and alcohol (with Poznań, when the audience turns their backs to the stage and jumps hugging each other)
7. Fade
8. Supersonic
9. Roll with it
10. Talk tonight
11. Half a world away
12. Little by little
13. Do you know what I mean?
14. Stand by me
15. Cast No Shadow (Dedicated to Richard Ashcroft)
16. Slide away
17. Whatever (with excerpt from The Beatles’ “Octopus’ Garden”)
18. Live forever
19. Rock and Roll Star
redundant:
20. Main plan (preceded by a performance by the musicians)
21. Don’t look back in anger
22. Wonderwall
23. Champagne Supernova (with fireworks at the end)
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