What happened to Oasis? Explained

Oasis is the talk of the music world once again. The band that all but defined Britpop in the 1990s is reuniting for a string of hugely anticipated and lucrative UK shows. The shows will take place next summer, with the demand for tickets already sky-high.

The thing is, fans who know and love Oasis know that there’s a decent chance the band could split before next summer. The band is led by singer Liam Gallagher and guitarist Noel Gallagher, and together they comprise one of the the most volatile sibling rivalries in all of rock music.

Since fans will see Oasis back in action after nearly a decade and a half apart, it’s useful to know why the band broke up in the first place.

When did Oasis split up?

It’s never been smooth sailing for Oasis. Noel Gallagher, the older brother and chief songwriter, initially considered leaving the band back in 1994 as he didn’t appreciate Liam hurling a tambourine at his head during their first American tour. Cooler heads prevailed, though, and Oasis went on to become stars in the years that ensued.

Noel and Liam Gallagher managed to channel their bickering into the music for most of the 2000s, but it all came crashing down, literally and metaphorically, on August 28, 2009. Oasis was set to perform at a festival in Paris, but Noel walked, citing an inability to work with his younger brother. He issued a statement to the press:

People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.

Noel elaborated on his reason for leaving the band during a 2011 interview with Associated Press. He told the outlet that Liam had fallen into a violent fit before the show and began swinging a guitar around like an axe at him. It proved to be the last straw.

Noel and Liam reconciled after years of tension

Liam Gallagher spent the bulk of Oasis’ hiatus trying to convince his brother to reunite. The two men spent the 2010s insulting each other on Twitter, and ensuring they weren’t invited to each other’s weddings. There seemed to be no end to the feud in sight, but something changed in 2024.

In a written statement, much like the one he issued back in 2009, Noel Gallagher explained his reason for getting Oasis back together (well, aside from his recent £20 million divorce bill). He didn’t go into detail, but he made it clear that he had hashed things out with his brother, and the two men have repaired their relationship:

I don’t know who the guy is who’s in these interviews, he seems really cool, because the guy I’ve been in a band with for the last 18 years is a f**king knobhead.

For someone as cutting as Noel Gallagher, that’s quite the compliment. The sibling rivalry has seemingly been set aside so that the world can enjoy Oasis music again. We hope, for our sakes and the Gallaghers’ sakes, that it lasts.