Oasis fans are gearing up for the band’s long-awaited reunion tour next year, but for many, the experience of trying to secure tickets is nothing new. Back in 1996, two-and-a-half million people applied to watch Oasis play across two nights at Knebworth Park, near Stevenage, in Hertfordshire. In less than 24 hours, 250,000 tickets, costing £22.50 each, had sold out, making it the biggest gig the UK had ever seen.
Fans had to rely on phone lines and local box offices to secure their tickets, with no online sales available at the time. Peter Aitken, who was an A-level student in 1996, recalls the army of mums in his neighborhood redialing constantly to ensure they got tickets. Now, as the band prepares for their reunion tour, fans like Katherine French are reminiscing about the excitement and anticipation of getting tickets back then.
Support acts at Knebworth included The Chemical Brothers, Ocean Colour Scene, Manic Street Preachers, and The Prodigy, making it a memorable event for all who attended. Kelvin Brierley, an Oasis tribute act, describes Knebworth as the “greatest gig experience of my life,” and is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to create new memories at the upcoming tour.
Tickets for the reunion tour go on sale at 09:00 BST on Saturday, and fans are already buzzing with excitement to relive the magic of Oasis once again.
