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The reformed Oasis will perform 41 shows later this year, including a homecoming Manchester leg, as well as a seven nights at the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium. Joining them will be the Verve frontman, Richard Ashcroft, who was announced as one of two support acts for the UK and Ireland shows, with the other being indie band Cast. Upon being announced as a supporting artist, Ashcroft said, “As a fan from day one, I was buzzing for many reasons when the news of Oasis’s return was announced. They dared to be great, made the dreams we had real, and I will always remember those days with joy.” Cage the Elephant are the only other support band that has been announced so far, opening up nine shows on the tour’s North American leg.    

Liam Gallagher has responded to the NME  article, posting on his X account: “NME tell me who your source pots are that keep giving you info about OASIS and I’ll give you an exclusive interview about up n coming OASIS tour you can have it all but how much do you want it.” A fan responded to his post asking if it really mattered with the tour only four months away, to which Liam cryptically replied, “That’s what broke Oasis up before.”

NME tell me who your source pots are that keep giving you info about OASIS and I’ll give you an exclusive interview about up n coming OASIS tour you can have it all but how much do you want it LG x — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) March 12, 2025

The return of Bonehead has been well-received, though the choice of Joey Waronker as drummer has been met with mixed feelings. Fans had been expecting a returning drummer from a previous lineup, such as Tony McCarroll, Alan White, or Zak Starkey. Questions have been asked about Waronker’s style gelling with the Oasis sound, though he did play with Liam Gallagher and John Squire on their 2024 album and subsequent tour. 

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Given the excitement around the potential lineup for one of the summer’s biggest music events, fans were flocking to Liam Gallagher’s X page to ask the singer for more details. He stated that the band would start rehearsing their material in June, just a month before their tour kicks off in Cardiff. This will be the first time that Bonehead has played with Oasis since 1999, though he has remained close to Liam, performing with Beady Eye and joining him on various solo tours in the years since. 

This has been a busy few weeks for Oasis fans, with lots to be excited about. It was revealed last week that the brothers had established a company with the purpose of developing a documentary of the upcoming tour. For now, though, the band remains quiet about both the lineup and the new business, refusing to confirm anything.

Rourke contributed to all four of The Smiths’ albums, The Smiths, Meat is Murder, The Queen is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come. Following their disbandment, Rourke went on to work with artists such as Badly Drawn Boy, Sinead O’Conner, The Pretenders and former Oasis guitarist, Bonehead.

There was an outpouring of tributes from his ex-bandmates, with The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr taking to Twitter to confirm the news.

Marr wrote, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer. Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.“

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.
Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.
We request privacy at this sad time pic.twitter.com/KNehQxXoFz

— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) May 19, 2023

Marr went on to request privacy as the band grieve their former bandmate and friend.

The Smiths’ frontman Morrissey shared his own tribute on his website, writing, “I just hope … wherever Andy has gone … that he’s OK. He will never die as long as his music is heard. He didn’t ever know his own power, and nothing that he played had been played by someone else. His distinction was so terrific and unconventional and he proved it could be done.”

Morrissey continued, “He was also very, very funny and very happy, and post-Smiths, he kept a steady identity – never any manufactured moves. I suppose, at the end of it all, we hope to feel that we were valued. Andy need not worry about that.”

Mike Joyce, The Smiths’ drummer, also shared his thoughts, tweeting, “Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate.”  

Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate. — Mike Joyce (@mikejoycedrums) May 19, 2023

Andy Rourke’s contribution to music has been celebrated by musicians and fans alike, with presenter Terry Christian summing his passing up as “another hole left In the History of Manchester music.”

Sad to hear of death of Andy Rourke, I knew he’d jad cancer for sevetal years now but understood he was in some ki d of recovery . Lovely guy – I first met him in November 1983 – another hole left In the History of Manchester music. R.I.P Andy #Manchester #TheSmiths

— terry christian (@terrychristian) May 19, 2023

It comes after last week, Arthurs and Burgess hosted a party for Oasis’ debut album, the acclaimed ‘Definitely Maybe’. Brian Cannon joined them, the man behind the artwork of the album. Kevin Cummins, NME’s chief photographer throughout the 1980s and ’90s attended too.

In a tweet, Arthurs announced the decision to host their sophomore album next. He said: “For Saturday’s #TimsListeningParty ‘What’s the Story’ at 10.05pm,” he tweeted. “I’m going to give a minute for those listening on the vinyl to change the disc over so watch my tweets.”

He also mentioned that ‘Bonehead’s Bank Holiday’, a song exclusive to the vinyl edition of ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ would be played during the session. Liam Gallagher didn’t participate in last week’s party but has not ruled out his involvement. It is unknown if he’ll attend this forthcoming session.

The listening party is due to start at 10:05pm on Saturday (April 4). To get involved, fans are instructed to head over to the Twitter accounts of Bonehead and Tim Burgess.

Recently, Liam produced claims that brother Noel is “greedy”. The vocalist cited this as a reason why an Oasis reunion would be inevitable.

As a result, Noel wouldn’t be able to turn down the chance at a comeback. It comes after Noel turned down claims from Liam that he rejected an offer of £100 million to bring the band back together.

Liam tweeted: “We’ve been offered 100 million pounds for a tour still not enough for the greedy soul oh well stay young LG.”

We’ve been offered 100 million pounds for a tour still not enough for the greedy soul oh well stay young LG

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) February 3, 2020

Noel responded: “To whoever might be arsed: I am not aware of any offer from anybody for any amount of money to reform the legendary Mancunian Rock’n’Roll group Oasis,”