Building the Perfect Oasis Setlist: A Britpop Journalist’s Take
Fans have spent decades dreaming about one more chance to see Oasis together on stage. Now, music journalist Alexis Petridis steps in with his own fantasy Oasis tour setlist, stirring up memories of wild ’90s gigs and the relentless drama of the Gallagher brothers. Petridis’ approach is both nostalgic and bold—he doesn’t just stick to obvious crowd-pleasers but throws in songs that shaped Oasis’ journey while skipping tunes you’d expect, all to keep the energy crackling from start to finish.
His imagined set would punch open with Oasis anthems like "Live Forever" and "Supersonic," immediately capturing the scrappy swagger the band brought to the era that cemented Britpop as a global force. Right away, you’re thrown back into a sweaty club, pogoing alongside fans who know every word. Petridis doesn’t let up, sliding straight into the classics from their massive 1995 album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?—the same record that locked them in a cultural tug-of-war with Blur. Songs like "Wonderwall" and "Champagne Supernova" aren’t just hits; they’re everlasting signposts of British rock’s wild ride between ego, aspiration, and heartbreak.
Strategic Exclusions and Deep Cuts: The Heart of Petridis’ Fantasy Tour
Petridis isn’t content to rest on the usual setlist suspects. Take "Don’t Look Back in Anger." Most bands would close a show with that signature, crowd-belting anthem. Not here. Petridis wants to keep things urgent, resisting the temptation to drag the night into everyone’s favorite sing-along. It’s a flex that speaks to Oasis’ original, no-compromise spirit.
The set is peppered with deeper picks. There's “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” from their 1994 debut, Definitely Maybe—the song that introduced Liam Gallagher’s vinyl-scratched sneer and that “we’re going to be the biggest band in the world” attitude. As the show progresses, Petridis leans into their changing sound with choices like “The Hindu Times,” waving to the band’s later, experimental phase after the Britpop bubble burst. It’s a reminder that Oasis didn’t freeze in time; even as their fame peaked and the infamous sibling rivalry spiraled, they managed to keep pushing their own creative edges.
Petridis points to the relentless chemistry between Liam’s brash showmanship and Noel’s writing genius—a mix of friction and magic that gave every Oasis gig its edge. Sure, the brothers might never reconcile, and the band might be splintered for good, but these songs? They’re arena-ready lifelines that outlast personal drama. In his dream tour, Petridis patches those chapters together, showing how Oasis’ music turns family feuds and Britpop battles into the kind of shared experience fans still crave years down the line.
