Oasis could have learned a valuable lesson from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour-Danni Scott-Entertainment – Metro

Danni wishes Oasis had taken a leaf out of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour book (Picture: Giuseppe Aresu/REX/Shutterstock)

‘Who will open for Oasis?’ is a question perpetually debated since the Britpop icons announced their return. 

With plenty of names flying around, Mancunian up-and-comers Blossoms in particular, the anticipation was palpable as we waited for Liam and Noel Gallagher to finally reveal the chosen artist.

So I, like many other fans, was deeply underwhelmed when Oasis finally announced that Richard Ashcroft would be the ‘very special guest’ for next year’s shows in Cardiff, London, Manchester and Dublin. 

No offence to Richard – or the Gallagher brothers – but let’s be honest, he’s just a really boring pick.

This was a chance to look at the many exciting bands Britain has produced in recent years, and give one of them, or maybe several of them, the chance to shine on a major stage. 

The chance, even, to potentially become the next big thing. I wish they’d taken a leaf out of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour book. 

It’s not that The Verve are a bad group by any stretch of the imagination, Noel once called Richard a ‘genius’ and his vocals are undeniably impressive.

He is also Greater Manchester-born so you would think fans would be satisfied but many of us are far from excited to see him on stage. 

It’s not that I believe it’s a bad or detrimental choice, people will sing along to the Verve’s big hits like Lucky Man and Bitter Sweet Symphony and enjoy the music as they wait for Oasis.

But nothing about it makes me feel excited.

In fact, the choice, and Liam Gallagher’s dismissive response to those who have criticised it, has me worried for the future of music.

Dramatic? (definitely) maybe, but Oasis are a symbol of Britpop at its height, the days when artists from the UK would dominate our charts.

Now, homegrown talents struggle to compete with big American acts in the world of streaming. In fact, in 2024 alone, just two of the songs that have topped the Official Charts in the UK were from British artists. 

While singers like Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift become ubiquitous, the arts in the UK are being throttled due to rising costs and lack of support.

That’s why established musicians like the Gallagher brothers need to give something back. 

And no, the slow and painful collapse of the British music scene is not Oasis’ job to fix but their choice of support could have gone a long way to helping boost that essential export.

A support act is meant to warm the crowd up, ready for the big performance but this is also a chance for the crowd to get to know a new artist.

Oasis fans might not thank me for the comparison, but they could do worse than learn from the Eras Tour, when Taylor Swift’s support was a revolving door of young artists bursting with potential, like the aforementioned Sabrina, Phoebe Bridgers and Raye. 

Fans saw those acts support Taylor, and went on to stream their music, buy their albums, or even attend their gigs – all of which put money back into the economy.

Taylor Swift’s support was a revolving door of young artists bursting with potential, like the aforementioned Sabrina (Picture: Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

While some might walk away from Oasis Live ‘25 with a newfound appreciation for Richard Ashcroft and The Verve, an artist whose biggest album was released in 1997 is hardly going to be a sudden discovery for concertgoers. 

By choosing a nostalgia act, Oasis has failed not only their fans but also the lesser-known bands who might be tomorrow’s superstars.

And with Oasis themselves headlining, these 2025 concerts aren’t exactly short of a feelgood throwback factor. 

Nor is the UK short of bands who could have used the momentum from the show to really build something incredible – think of the Courteeners, Blossoms, and Lottery Winners. 

That’s before we even dare to mention a female-led group like Manchester-based Pale Waves or this year’s Mercury Prize winner English Teacher for whom this kind of show could have really changed lives.

Ultimately, Richard is a tired, safe choice designed to please nostalgia-hungry fans who think music peaked in the late 90s. 

Liam doesn’t seem to think that’s his responsibility, writing on X after backlash: ‘To all the folk who are crying about us not showing love to the young bands and not letting them support there’s LEVELS to this game and I’m afraid 99 [per cent] of ya are way off.’

I’m choosing to believe this means Oasis has a few more lesser-known support acts to announce rather than denouncing those young bands as not on their ‘level’ but I’m not so sure.

Maybe the Gallaghers’ egos are too big, maybe they don’t want to emulate Taylor Swift, but one thing’s for sure – fans deserve much better than this.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

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