ADVERTISEMENTOasis returned to the stage on Friday after a 16-year hiatus. The band kicked off their world tour in Cardiff, Wales, in front of a jam-packed Principality Stadium.
The Gallagher brothers’ return to the stage is an important moment for the band’s fans who, despite their enthusiasm to hear their greatest hits live again, remain reserved as concerns loom on whether or not the band will complete their “Live ’25” tour without arguments between the brothers.
The group split up in 2009 with Noel Gallagher leaving the band after a backstage argument with brother and bandmate Liam at a festival near Paris. Liam destroyed a red Gibson guitar that belonged to his brother in a heated argument before the concert, and this moment is said to have triggered the break-up of Oasis. The brothers have engaged in an on-again, off-again public feud for years since.
“Live Forever” dedicated to Diogo Jota
On Friday, the band played the first concert of their “Live ’25” reunion world tour in Cardiff. The Manchester band’s return was also marked by the dedication of the hit song “Live Forever” to the late footballer Diogo Jota.
Jota, 28 – who played for English side Liverpool – died on Thursday in a car crash along with his younger brother, André Silva, 25, also a footballer – playing for Portugal’s second division – near Zamora in Spain.
In the final moments of the song, the giant screens on stage projected the number 20 on the Liverpool player’s shirt, raising emotions and drawing cheers and applause among the onlooking fans in the stadium.
Jota and his brother were driving to Santander, in the north of Spain, where they were set to take a ferry to England to return for his Liverpool preparations and training for the upcoming 2025-26 season, scheduled to begin on 7 July.
The Portuguese striker was temporarily restricted from travelling by plane due to minor surgery on his lungs, an injury he contracted at the end of the season, and whose medical intervention had been postponed at the request of the player, who was keen to participate in the Nations League final, which Portugal won after beating Spain on penalties.
Just weeks prior to his shocking death, Jota tied the knot with his long-time partner Rute Cardoso on 22 June. The couple had three children together, the youngest less than a year old.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have announced that they will honour the player’s contract until its end in two years and have promised to support the player’s family. Diogo Jota’s number 20 was also retired by the club to honour the late player’s legacy.
