FEATURE:
Roll with It
IN THIS PHOTO: Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis
Why Band Reunions Can Be a Mixed Blessing
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NOBODY could have missed…
PHOTO CREDIT: Rahul Pandit/Pexels
the sheer hysteria around Oasis getting back together again. Technically, it is the brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher getting back together, as they are the only two original Oasis members reforming for gigs next year. That doesn’t matter to fans, as they are only focused on the songwriter and vocalist. There has been controversy around the ticket prices and specifically Ticketmaster are under fire as they were selling ‘in-demand’ prices for some of the tickets – costing fans five times the standard price. It has been a real mess. Many other fans getting error messages and waiting in a queue and being kicked out as they were assumed to be bots. It is not the band’s fault though, knowing the fans’ desire and demand, one would have though these tickets could have been priced lower. I don’t think it is the venues demanding higher prices to cover their costs. There is some wiggle room between what the venue charges and what is just to Oasis. It does seem that there is a bit of exploitation of the fans. Make the ticket prices lower. I guess it is the same with any big artist. There is an element of greed knowing that they can sell thousands. There have been various takes around Oasis’ reunion. God Is in the TV, MSNBC, The Guardian and The Standard published pieces. The Guardian produced more than one. On the plus side, it is a chance for fans older and new to see those songs performed live one more time. There is that nostalgia value and unpredictability. A band almost as known for their fighting as their songs, we have a year to wait until the gigs. The Gallagher brothers could fall out long before then and everything could be called off. I guess it will be nice for a reunion and seeing the brothers finally bury the hatchet.
At a time when we are trying to stamp out toxic masculinity, there is an argument that bringing Oasis to the stage is a bad move. A band defined by laddish behaviour and a lack of progressive thought, is that a good example and something to highlight?! Also, it is clear money is a huge motivator for the reunion. So many other bands might come out of the woodwork. Even so, many fans are delighted to get tickets and getting the chance to see Oasis perform for a final time. I do hope there are no albums or music plans as is will dent their legacy. With two great albums, some excellent B-sides and some patchy work, there is no way they can get anywhere near to their best work today. It would be a sad spectacle hearing that back in the studio. The gigs essentially are a way to relive the past and get a slightly less spectacular version of the gigs they performed in the 1990s. One hopes that the Gallagher brothers recognise the importance of the gigs and do not reduce them to bicker-fests and display the same kind of behaviour they did in their heyday. I am obviously not one of the people excited or even interested in the gigs, though it is good for fans to have this good news. Aside from outrageous ticket prices and many who missed out because of technology issues, thousands will have their dreams come true. One of the effects of a band like Oasis reforming is that other bygone acts are thinking the same thing.
The Smiths are another band that we close to reforming recently. Again, a band with some controversy and toxicity around them, specifically Morrissey and his political views, would it be a wise move giving him the spotlight at high-profile gigs in front of thousands of fans?! It is no surprise that Johnny Marr has vetoed the reunion idea. Not wanting to share the stage with his songwriting partner. The Guardian reported the news. As the band have not performed together for four decades or so, what is the appeal of them getting back together? It does seem that there is this chance for money and new attention. Is there really an actually need for them to get back onto the stage?! It is odd that this brief flash of nostalgia is so sought after. What happens when they finish the gigs? It is a slightly faded and less impactful flash of the past:
“Morrissey has claimed he accepted a “lucrative offer” this summer for a Smiths reunion – but Johnny Marr ignored it.
Social media has been buzzing this week since Noel and Liam Gallagher announced they were getting back together for Oasis concerts in 2025.
If two brothers who despise each other with such vitriolic passion can get back together for the good of music, asked fans, why can’t Morrissey and Marr?
On Thursday Morrissey, 65, posted a statement on his website saying: “In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as ‘The Smiths’ throughout 2025. Morrissey said yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.”
The statement added: “Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November. Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.”
Marr, 60, has not yet responded, and his representatives declined to comment. But earlier this week, when a Smiths fan posted on X: “If Oasis can do it, The Smiths can too (I’m delusional)”, the guitarist replied with a photograph of the grinning Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, pint in hand.
The Smiths, who formed in Manchester in 1982, are regarded by many as the greatest band of their generation with Morrissey the best lyricist and Marr the top guitarist. Marr left the band in 1987 and he and Morrissey have since achieved successful careers.
Morrissey performing during a concert in Mexico City in 2018. Photograph: Claudio Cruz/AFP/Getty Images
Morrissey has long lost his “criminally vulgar” shyness, stretching and often breaking the patience of fans with controversial pronouncements on politics, including once expressing support for the far right For Britain party.
He has also said Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, “cannot talk properly”; that “even Tesco wouldn’t employ [the Labour MP] Diane Abbott”; that halal meat is “evil”; and “the modern loony left seem to forget that Hitler was leftwing”.
In an interview two years ago, Marr revealed it had been “18 or maybe 15 years” since he last spoke to Morrissey in person. He also said there was “zero chance” of them getting back together”.
There is now betting on which bands will get back together next. Again, it seems about the money and no real purpose. I understand that some bands have reformed successfully and gone on to have a successful new stage of their career. It can be beneficial having time apart and coming back together. In many cases, these are bands who never officially split and instead just didn’t put albums out for a while. You only need to look at articles like this, this and this to see pitfalls of band reunions. Disasters. I guess there is an element of family and legacy building behind Oasis’ reunion, though talks of how much money will be made is what many other bands will see. Rather than it being about serving fans and any reason beyond money, there will be this cash-grab. Band reunions can be very lucrative. ABBA, Blur, Spice Girls are among those who have taking to the stage again, though in very different ways. I do sort of hope the buzz and endless excitement around the Oasis reunion dies down. It has dominated the press for too long. Sadly, we will see many other bands in the coming weeks and months discuss possible reunions. The Smiths’ plans are dead in the water. Who next?! I can’t legitimately think of any band who broke up or haven’t been together for years/decades that I would like to see back together. All the bands that I want to see perform and record together again are still active but have been dormant for a while – Radiohead top of that particular list. I think we should focus on new acts and artists coming through. There is value in legacy bands coming together though, for so many reasons, there has to be very good reasons for it. Otherwise, things turn into this rather sad circus. Reliving the past days in a less-than-impressive way and making a lot of money. The best and most genuine reason for a band to play together again is for the fans. Because they have worked out differences and their main concern is now making up for lost time. One last time together to serve the fans. That motivation around money normally gets in the way, which is why I hope that the Oasis reunion does not lead to a wave of other bands following in their footsteps. Although many fans are delighted and there are some good reasons for the Gallagher brothers to get onto the stage, I do think that their best days and music are…
WELL behind them.