. The singer broke his social media silence shortly after the competition watchdog announced it had launched an investigation into Ticketmaster's handling of sales for the band's forthcoming tour, including how "dynamic pricing" may have been used to adjust the price. Initial excitement about the Gallagher brothers' reconciliation soon gave way to dismay and outrage last weekend after fans complained that the prices for the 17 shows were increased without warning. Fans said they queued online for hours only to find that the price of the £135 standing tickets had risen to £355. On the morning of the incident, Liam posted on X, "OASIS are back your welcome and I hear their ATTITUDE STINKS good to know some things never change." When fans responded by criticizing the ticketing approach, including one X user who said he "didn't expect [Oasis] to rip off the fans as much as they have done", Gallagher replied, "SHUTUP". And when asked how he was feeling, the 51-year-old responded, "SMUG only kidding SMUG AS F*** I told you all we were gonna get back together 1 fine day." Liam was also asked how his mother, Peggy, felt about him and Noel reuniting 15 years after the band split. "She's gutted she couldn't get a ticket," he said. When one person questioned why he didn't give her a free ticket, he said, "Free don't be silly." Another fan asked the Mancunian if he had any "spare tickets", to which he replied, "Shit loads but there really expensive 100 thousand pounds Kneeling only." In a statement, the band has previously said they had not known dynamic pricing would be used in the sale. "Inevitably interest in this tour is so overwhelming that it's impossible to schedule enough shows to fulfill public demand," they said. "As for the well-reported complaints many buyers had over the operation of Ticketmaster's dynamic ticketing: it needs to be made clear that Oasis leaves decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used." Earlier this week, Liam was announced as the new face of the fashion brand Stone Island, fronting its autumn and winter campaign. Around the same time, amid fan frustration over the ticket pricing, one of the frontman's old tweets from 2017 resurfaced, in which he criticized his brother for expensive tickets for his US tour. At the time, he wrote, "350 dollars to go and see rkid in the USA what a c*** when will it all stop as you were LG x."

The Contradiction of Oasis
The recent uproar over Oasis's ticket pricing has left me reflecting on the contradictions inherent in the band and its frontmen. Here we have Liam Gallagher, a man who built his reputation on being the voice of the working class, now seemingly indifferent to the plight of his fans, many of whom cannot afford the inflated ticket prices. For years, Oasis was a symbol of rebellion and authenticity. Their music resonated deeply with people from all walks of life, offering anthems of defiance and hope. Yet, the recent events surrounding the ticket sales feel like a betrayal of those very principles the band once stood for. Liam's dismissive responses to fans' concerns were particularly disheartening. Telling fans to "shut up" and joking about "kneeling tickets" at exorbitant prices showcases a level of arrogance and disconnect that's hard to overlook. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes the icons we idolize can become the very thing they once rallied against. The statement from the band, distancing themselves from the dynamic pricing debacle, feels like a weak attempt at damage control. If Oasis truly had no knowledge of the pricing strategy, it suggests a troubling lack of oversight and responsibility. It's not enough to simply blame the promoters and management; the band bears some accountability for ensuring their fans aren't being taken advantage of. The resurfaced tweet from 2017, where Liam criticized his brother for expensive tickets, adds another layer of irony to this situation. It’s a poignant reminder of how quickly perspectives can change when fame and fortune are involved. What was once a critique of exploitation now seems to be a case of history repeating itself, only this time with Liam at the center.

A Personal Awakening
This whole episode has been a personal awakening for me and, I suspect, for many other fans. It's forced us to reconsider our relationship with the band and, more broadly, with the music industry. At what point do we draw the line between supporting our favorite artists and standing up against practices that exploit and alienate fans? Oasis's music will always hold a special place in my heart; their songs are woven into the fabric of my youth. But perhaps it’s time to separate the art from the artist, to appreciate the music while holding the band accountable for actions that contradict the very essence of their message. In closing, I urge Oasis and other bands to remember the fans who have supported them through thick and thin. Authenticity, transparency, and respect are values that should never be compromised, no matter how high the stakes. And to my fellow fans, let's continue to demand better, not just from Oasis but from the entire industry. Only then can we hope to see real change.
Rock on, but keep it real.

• 

08-02-2025

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15-01-2025

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Welcome to 2025: The Year of AI (and the Death of Surprise in Music?)
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Is Spotify Wrapped Wrapped in AI Laziness?
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