Alex's Weekly Blog - 29th August

In August 2009, Oasis played their final gigs together before a long hiatus, which ended with a tour announcement thi week. Tickets are going on sale this weekend, and it feels like Taylor Swift mania for the over-40s Or Christmas Day if you're Dave Sweetmore.

In fairness, streaming has changed the landscape enormously since the Gallaghers' salad days, and I suspect plenty of young people will be in the crowds at Heaton Park in Manchester. On the same day as Oasis made their much teased announcement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appeared behind a funereal lectern warning us that this October's budget "is going to be painful", as the Tories attempt to plug a £22 billion black hole kindly bequeathed to them by the Tories. It's quite a contrast to the days of 'Cool Britannia', with Noel Gallagher meeting Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street. Starmer's speech wasn't quite as bleak as Dominic Cummings' press conference following Eye Test Gate, but it wasn't far off.

At the time of writing this, I'm not sure exactly how much tickets will cost, but I expect it'll be a pretty eyewatering amount. No criticism of those who will queue for hours in a bid to get them this weekend, but I am far too old these days to stand at a gig. I want a nice comfy chair, preferably one that reclines, and the option to order food and drink to be delivered to my seat. I'm definitely not a big enough fan of any artist to brave portaloos, mud, jostling drunkards, and beer being sprayed around during the chorus of Don't Look Back In Anger. No ta.

I totally accept that I'm being a bit old and miserable in this assertion, but one thing I've kept since the pandemic is an adversity to being in really big crowds. Oasis songs were the soundtrack to so many nights out in the 1990s in Liverpool, which always ended with a questionable kebab. They are songs that are ingrained in the national psyche, and I'd say Wonderwall is probably as well known as Sweet Caroline. Stick it on, and I guarantee most will sing along.

When I was growing up, Smash HIts was essential reading, and you always hoped your favourite song of the moment would feature in the lyrics section. These days, rather than a poster including the words, it's a simple case of googling them. Likewise with streaming, almost every song you'd ever want to listen to is available in a couple of clicks.

I really admire the dedication of fans who will queue on the phone for tickets this weekend, spend a fortune travelling to the gigs, and stay in overpriced hotels that have already ramped up their rates three or fourfold. Capitalism in action! I just can't imagine being that devoted to any artist now I'm approaching my late 40s. Cinema and real ale pubs are worth my time, but I remain unconvinced by the merits of large gigs.

I did go and see the wonderful OMD back in 2021 with Martin Emery, my Tameside Radio colleague, and thoroughly enjoyed that. We were seated, there wasn't much of a wait for a beer at the bar, and crucially we didn't have to use a portaloo, or queue for hours for tickets or entry. Am I old, lazy or both? Answers on a postcard.

Manchester is clearly more excited than anywhere else in the UK about the Oasis reunion, and I'm not wanting to take any of that zeal away. There is so much doom and gloom in the world that it's been genuinely lovely to see so much positivity on social media following Tuesday's announcement. I won't be competing with you for a place at Heaton Park, though.

I looked at the recent pictures of Taylor Swift playing to an estimated 96,000 people a night in Australia, and couldn't help being horrified at the thought of being jammed in with so many people. Not my cup of tea.

Back to Oasis, and if you're booking for one of the later dates on the tour, you're clearly pretty brave, and assuming there won't be any more sibling squabbles. Let us know your favourite Oasis song, and we could well play it for you this Saturday on Tameside Radio as you sit in the queue for tickets! Maybe it's time for Mike Flowers Pops to re-release their excellent Wonderwall cover version. I bought that one from Woolies back in the day for £2.99. Banger.