Sources close to Oasis' upcoming comeback tour have revealed, exclusively to NME, details about the line-up that will be performing.
Ever since Noel and Liam Gallagher buried the hatchet and announced the return of the Britpop icons through a series of large stadium concerts as part of the "Oasis Live '25" tour, fans have been tirelessly speculating about who will join them on stage for these summer spectacles.
Over the past few months, numerous theories have circulated about the band's line-up. Initial reports claimed that none of the original Oasis members, apart from the Gallagher brothers, would be part of the reunion, and that the rest of the band would be made up of members of Noel's band, the High Flying Birds.
Drummer Alan White further fueled the rumors last year when he posted a photo of his drum kit with a Union Jack design, while original drummer Tony McCarroll said that no one had contacted him, adding: "To be honest, I don't expect them to."
In addition to them, the names of musicians such as Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, Gem Archer, Andy Bell, Zach Starkey, Jessica Greenfield, Russell Pritchard, Chris Sharrock and Mike Rowe were often mentioned.
Liam further fueled the story last Sunday, joking that Peppa Pig, Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street would be joining the band.
However, sources close to the band and the tour have now revealed that the following musicians will make up Oasis' live lineup for the summer of 2025:
End Bell – bass
Long a favourite to return to Oasis, Andy will reprise the bass role he held from 1999 to 2009, following the departure of original bassist Paul McGuigan. After Oasis broke up, Bell accompanied Liam on "Beady Eye".
Gem Archer – guitar
Another familiar name, Archer joined Oasis after Bonehead left and remained with the band until 2009. He later played with both Liam and Noel – on "Beady Eye" and "High Flying Birds"
Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs – guitar
A fan favorite, Bonehead was a key member of Oasis' early lineup and has been linked to the comeback tour from the start. He's been performing with Liam on his solo shows for years, so it's no surprise that he'll be joining him on stage this summer.
Joey Waronker – drums
One of the "new faces" in the lineup, Voronker is a respected drummer and producer who has played with the likes of Beck, REM, Roger Waters. He was also a member of Thom Yorke's "Atoms For Peace." Sources close to the band say the Gallagher brothers are excited to have him join as drummer.
The "Oasis Live '25" tour kicks off in Cardiff on Friday, July 4, and includes a major run of UK dates, which will be the band's only European dates, before heading to stadium shows in North and South America, Australia and Asia.
Ticket sales for UK shows have been the subject of much controversy over price fixing, a practice that is now under government investigation. Ticketmaster recently cancelled thousands of tickets believed to have been bought using bots to prevent them from being resold on secondary markets. However, many fans claim they have been unfairly affected by these decisions.
In September, Liam hinted that the band already had a new album finished, when he replied to a fan on X: "Yeah, it's already done."
However, he soon changed his mind and told fans in November: "There is no new Oasis album, I was just kidding."
He also recently denied "fake news" in the tabloids that he met with Noel and Bonehead in London.
The band recently re-released their fourth album "Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants" to mark its 25th anniversary, and the 1994 single "Whatever" briefly threatened to take the top spot on the UK charts from Kendrick Lamar.
Oasis were nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, along with the bands "New Order", "The White Stripes" and Mariah Carey.
Bonus video:
