oasis san diego 2005
Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis performing in San Diego (2005). Will Fresch

Oasis returned to the stage on the evening of 4 July with a thunderous set that many fans are calling their best performance since the band's 1990s heyday. Playing to a sold-out crowd, the Manchester rock icons proved they remain a powerful force in British music and may be entering a new golden era.

From the moment the lights dimmed and the opening riff of Rock 'n' Roll Star rang out, the atmosphere was electric. Fans, some who grew up with Oasis and others too young to have seen them the first time around, erupted as Liam Gallagher swaggered onstage, arms behind his back, radiating the same defiance and charisma that made him a star nearly 30 years ago.

It has been over a decade since Oasis famously split, with the Gallagher brothers' feud dominating headlines more than their music. And yet, as they took the stage together, there was no sign of tension, only a shared determination to remind the world of what they are capable of.

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For over two hours, the band tore through a setlist stacked with hits — Supersonic, Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Wonderwall, Live Forever. Every word was sung back by the ecstatic crowd, the energy never dipping for a moment. Liam's voice, raw and powerful, cut through the air, while Noel's guitar work and harmonies added depth and grit. Both brothers, once known for icy glares, even exchanged the occasional grin.

One of the most striking things about the show was how hungry Oasis seemed. This was not a band coasting on nostalgia, this was a group with something to prove. Tracks that had sometimes sounded tired in the late 2000s felt alive and vital again. Even lesser-known B-sides and album cuts were delivered with passion, and the addition of a brand-new track mid-set, hinting at a possible new album, only added to the excitement.

Between songs, Liam was in typically cheeky form, taunting the crowd and even poking fun at his brother, while Noel kept his cool and let the music speak. The chemistry between them, fiery yet complementary, was still undeniable.

The emotional high point came during Don't Look Back in Anger, when Noel stepped forward to sing the chorus and the entire arena drowned him out, arms aloft and tears in many eyes.

For longtime fans, the night was more than just a concert, it was a celebration — a reminder of what Oasis meant and still means: a band that gave working-class kids permission to dream big, to be loud, to believe in themselves.

As the final notes of Champagne Supernova echoed and the band took their bows, Liam left the crowd with a promise: 'This ain't no nostalgia trip. We're just getting started.'

And after a night like this, it is hard not to believe him. Oasis is back — not just as good as they were in the '90s, but perhaps better, hungrier and more determined than ever.