Definitely Croke Park… Maybe Slane
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll have heard that after a 15 year hiatus, brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher have reunited for an Oasis tour across the U.K and Ireland next year. August 16th and 17th are confirmed for Croke Park, but Slane organisers say they would be delighted to host an Oasis headline show on the grounds next year.
The sloping grounds of Slane Castle form a natural amphitheatre with capacity for as many as 70,000–110,000 people. Slane was the first outdoor gig the Gallagher brothers played, supporting REM in 1995. They returned to headline the festival in 2009 and there is speculation that now, 14 years later, they may be set to return.
Other previous headliners include John Bon Jovi, David Bowie, Kings of Leon, U2, and the Rolling Stones, with last year headlined by Harry Styles. Homegrown acts always go down a storm at Slane, and Liam and Noel’s father hails from Duleek, Co. Meath, having emigrated to the U.K in his 20s. Their mother is originally from Mayo.
When Oasis headlined in 2009, there was a great buzz because of the band’s Duleek connections, Lord Mountcharles said at the time. Asked by The Irish Mirror if any contact had been made to get them on the bill for next year, Alex, son of Lord Mountcharles, said: “Sometimes we talk to them but sometimes we work very closely with MCD and they’ll put those artists to us but the buck stops with dad.”
Whether you end up catching them at Croke Park or elsewhere, it’ll be one of the biggest live moments of the decade.
