'It’s just so nostalgic': Oasis pay tribute to Irish roots in sell-out Dublin reunion gig

Oasis have paid tribute to their Irish roots during a sell-out gig in Dublin, following the Gallagher brothers return to Ireland for the first time in 16 years.

Tens of thousands of fans descended on the Irish capital for the first of two sold-out concerts at the country’s largest stadium, Croke Park. 

The 90s Britpop superstars performed to 80,000 people in the stadium on Saturday and will do so on Sunday night also.

Health officials advised revellers to wear their bucket hats, with high UV levels predicted amid warm and dry sunny spells in Dublin on Saturday.

As the band’s first gig in the country since 2009, the Dublin leg of the reunion world tour holds a special meaning for once-feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher.

The Mancunian brothers have often spoken about their ties to Ireland through their Irish-born parents, Peggy and Thomas – and display the image of an Irish harp as part of their understated stage decor.

In a regional change to the warm-up tunes, the crowd enthusiastically joined in singing as 'The Auld Triangle' blared over the stadium speakers before the brothers walked out, raised hand in raised hand, as 'F***in’ In The Bushes' played for their entrance.

Fans were also delighted as it appeared Liam gave Noel a peck on the cheek once on stage.

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In an apt opening for the reunion, fans were delighted as the words: “It’s good to be back” and: “We need each other” filled Croke Park during 'Hello' and 'Acquiesce.'

Liam Gallagher told the crowd: “Oasis vibes in the area, Dublin vibes in the area.”

The singer, who described himself as a “Croke Park virgin” because the band had never played there, added: “This is the soberest I’ve ever been in Ireland.”

A heaving crowd, which saw Manchester City tops mingle with Oasis-branded Bohemian FC jerseys, then sang along to '(What’s The Story) Morning Glory.'

Acknowledging how fans have missed the presence of the band, Liam said: “You’ve been missed as well – you lunatics.”

He also dedicated 'Roll With It' to the people of Charlestown, Co Mayo – where his mother hails from.

Mid-song, Liam also turned to the upper tiers where she was expected to have been sitting and blew kisses as he mouthed: “I love you.”

The singer later specifically dedicated 'Stand By Me To' their mother, who he said was in the crowd.

The band itself then had to pause briefly – as the packed stadium sang out a celebratory “Ole, Ole, Ole”.

Fans said Dublin City was “buzzing” for the reunion, with some comparing it to Christmas in August.

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Sarah and Neil Charlton travelled from Southampton to see the band, after a determined search for standing tickets saw them clinching access in Dublin.

Mr Charlton said they have both been waiting a long time to see the band reunite – having seen Oasis multiple times before their extended hiatus.

He told the PA news agency: “We thought: what a great city to come to and see the gig and have a couple of nights out in Dublin.”

Mr Charlton added: “It’s just so nostalgic – all the songs and all the music from when we were growing up.

“When we first started seeing each other, we went to a gig and so it’s always been a part of our lives together.”

Oasis formed part of the romantic story for Lisa and Alan Roe too, who said their love of the band dates back to when they got married in the 1990s.

Mr Roe said: “Because the two of them are after getting back together after so many years, to be able to sell out a world tour the way they did – and their music going back to the late 80s and 90s.

“That brings an aura about in everybody and a buzz and the memories of growing up in Dublin with them – it’s absolutely out of this world.”

Having had to wait a long time for the reunion tour, Sinead Millea from Kilkenny – who previously saw the band in Limerick in 1996 – said: “Maybe we’re all going through a bit of a midlife crisis – I turned 50 this year, and look, Noel and Liam, they’re in their 50s as well.

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“And maybe things just dawned on them that life is too short and just, let’s put grievances to bed.

“They seem to be getting on great, and it’s fabulous. And at the end of the day, music transcends everything, and we’re all here to enjoy a brilliant night and to share it with the people that mean the most.

“It’s just amazing. The weather is fabulous and it’s a brilliant venue," she added. 

Eoin Whelan from Newcastlewest in Limerick described the brothers’ return as “legendary” and “biblical”.

Having seen the band’s last performance in Ireland at Slane in 2009, he said he never thought the reunion would happen – further comparing the Croke Park gig to Christmas in August.

The support acts for the Dublin dates are Richard Ashcroft from The Verve and Cast, formed by John Power after he left The La’s.

Ashcroft delighted the crowd by downing a full pint of Guinness as he ended his set with 'Bittersweet Symphony.'

The setlist on the tour has featured crowd-pleasing hits including 'Cigarettes And Alcohol' and 'Little by Little.'

Fans on the tour have also been treated to favourites including 'Supersonic', 'Some Might Say' and 'Live Forever' – before a 'Don’t Look Back In Anger', 'Wonderwall' and 'Champagne Supernova' crescendo in the encore.

Oasis announced their reunion tour in August last year, 16 years after their dramatic split in 2009, when Noel quit after a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.

The highly anticipated 41-date run has already seen the band play Cardiff, Manchester, London and Edinburgh before taking them half the world away to major cities, including in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan.