10 Of The Best Oasis Concerts On YouTube (With Links)
I went to my first Oasis gig aged eleven and was totally hooked from the start. Over the next fifteen years, all the way up until the band's break up in 2009, I was lucky enough to experience my fair share of live performances.
Many of these concerts and plenty others can be found on YouTube. Whilst there is lots of low quality footage - captured on camcorders and early-2000’s smartphones; hidden gems are there to be discovered.
There are a range of amazing recordings you can watch right now.
1. Gleneagles Hotel (Scotland, UK) February 1994
Backstory
The earliest show on this list comes from the Spring of 1994 and the early stages of touring as an established live band.
Played in Perth, Scotland to a small crowd - and with a set only six songs long - the band’s performance was incredible.
At this point Liam’s pose of choice was to grasp the microphone in his right hand instead of adopting the now famous ‘arms behind the back’ technique. The Oasis frontman fires on all cylinders here, delivering every song with a strong, confident and yet slightly sweet yell.
Why It Was One Of Their Best
The show is 25 minutes of raw quality. For an amateur act - Oasis are exhilarating, exciting and to the surprise of many - ooze a real sense of professionalism.
Highlight
A great moment comes during Live Forever (13.14) where Liam decides to replace the famous 'we see things they'll never see' lyric with the cheeky line 'take two sugars in me tea.’
Watch the entire gig here
2. Cabaret Metro (Chicago, USA) October 1994
Backstory
Less than two months after the release of Definitely Maybe Oasis embarked on their first tour of America. This concert takes place a little over three weeks into their Stateside adventure and is fantastic
Why It Was One Of Their Best
Oasis quickly became famous for creating an epic sound live and this gig is a superb example. The mix of Bonehead's relentless rhythm guitar coupled with Tony Carroll's thrashing drums completely floods the intimate venue for just over an hour.
Highlight
An early look at how Oasis typically wrapped up their set in late 1994 as they end with a thunderous version of The Beatles ‘I Am The Walrus.’ (51.48)
Watch the entire gig here
3. Cliffs Pavilion (Southend, UK) April 1995
Backstory
By April 1995 Oasis had shifted from smaller venues to play larger arenas across the UK and Europe.
The band came to Southend and performed in front of a 5000 plus crowd hungry for an Oasis who by now were quickly outgrowing their debut album status.
Why It Was One Of Their Best
This show is always a ‘go to’ gig for me because of its energy and immense sound.
Liam is in fine form throughout. By this stage his voice had fully transformed from the softer tones of early 1994 and into the rage fuelled style heard across the Morning Glory era.
Highlight
During a rare acoustic rendition of ‘D'yer Wanna Be A Spaceman (52.31) Noel suddenly forgets the chords halfway through the song and brings the set crashing to a halt. Both he and the crowd seem to see the funny side of it all.
Watch the entire gig here
4. Glastonbury Festival (Somerset, UK) June 1995
Backstory
Back in early Summer 1995 Oasis headlined arguably the UK's most iconic festival. The band stepped out onto the main stage and played magnificently for just over an hour.
The setlist was bold to say the least. They decided to play four new tracks from an as yet unheard second album.
It's both strange and fascinating to see early live versions of Hello, Roll With It, Morning Glory and Don't Look Back In Anger - all met with a certain level of confusion by a dazed audience.
Why It Was One Of Their Best
Watching Oasis in the role of headlining act here and experiencing a slice of their rise to power within the British music scene is amazing. There is a sense of the band being underdogs during that evening's gig and having a point to prove to a wider audience.
Only a year earlier had Oasis played on one of the smaller stages at Glastonbury 94. Watch a performance of Live Forever from that show here
Yet just twelve months in later and everything was much more epic.
Highlight
There is an unbroadcast early performance of Don't Look Back In Anger hidden with this clip which shows just how risky it was playing fresh material to a huge audience. In a rare rusty moment from the band they even mess up a section of the song (59.07) not that the mesmerised crowd seem to notice.
A bonus note - Slide Away at (32.49) is a simply stunning live performance from all the lads too!
Watch the entire gig here
5. Earls Court - First Night (London, UK) November 1995
Backstory
The first of two nights at Earls Court is a famous early Oasis arena gig amongst fans.
It's the band's confident display that really stands out at a time when they were on the verge of becoming a true global sensation.
Why It Was One Of Their Best
This jam-packed setlist combines the best of their debut album, a host of newly released (What's The Story?) Morning Glory tunes and a healthy sprinkling of quality b-sides.
Highlight
A world beating performance of Cigarettes And Alcohol (36.37) - an unbelievable wall of sound and Liam's vocals at their very best.
Watch the entire gig here
6. Maine Road - First Night (Manchester, UK) April 1996
Backstory
Most Oasis fans both young and old are well aware of the band's show at Manchester City's former stadium Maine Road in April 1996. It was widely released as part of the 'There And Then' VHS and later as a DVD - forming part of most people's memorabilia collection.
But did you know that Oasis played the previous evening? A high quality recording of the first night in the band's hometown has found its way onto YouTube.
Why It Was One Of Their Best
The show itself is immense with the lads approaching the height of their powers and playing to tens of thousands. The crowd is wild and the hits just keep on coming. Relentless stuff.
Highlight
The opening few minutes really give a glimpse of the terrific atmosphere at this homecoming concert. Oasis begins with The Swamp Song before Liam eventually swaggers out onto the stage (3.10) - calmly smoking a cigarette as the crowd go crazy all around him.
Watch the entire gig here
7. San Carlos Stadium (Santiago, Chile) March 1998
Backstory
Whilst the most well known performance from the Be Here Now tour era is probably Manchester's G-Mex Arena date in 1997 - there are plenty of hidden gems filmed across the globe during that year long period following the album's release.
This show from the South American leg of that tour and the only concert to take place in Chile is a stunning effort.
Why It Was One Of Their Best
Oasis have often been criticised for the bloated nature of some songs from their third album but here the band seemed to have really mastered how to play them live. Each Be Here Now track feels natural amongst the greatest 90's hits with this no nonsense performance.
Highlight
Towards the end of the concert Oasis launch into It's Getting Better Man! (51.10) and it sounds fantastic. A real favourite when played live with such passion and attitude.
Watch the entire gig here
8. Columbiahalle (Berlin, Germany) June 2002
Backstory
There are some really cool live shows from the Heathen Chemistry tour that are rarer than many of the pre-2000 shows but thrilling nonetheless.
Why It Was One Of Their Best
This performance in Germany's capital is played in front of a fairly intimate crowd, reminding us of the undoubted quality both Gem Archer and Andy Bell brought to the Oasis line up post Bonehead and Guigsy.
Highlight
The power of Oasis' comeback single The Hindu Times (35.10) never felt so good. The tight sound of the band was so noticeable with the two new boys well established at this stage. The entire gig has the feel of a celebration following the band's true second coming. It is a return to form and has a vibe that many of the concerts around 1999/2000 didn't have.
Watch the entire gig here
9. City Of Manchester Stadium (Manchester, UK) July 2005
Backstory
This is a modern classic of an Oasis show.
The depth of quality in the setlist is clear to see. By the summer of 2005 the sheer volume of great songs available to Noel Gallagher and co is outstanding.
Why It Was One Of Their Best
Many of the tracks from 'Don't Believe The Truth' stand out during this performance, not least the opener 'Turn Up The Sun', 'The Importance Of Being Idle' and a rare outing for Gem Archer's 'A Bell Will Ring.'
Highlight
Before the concert even gets underway it threatens to derail. Oasis' attempt to start their opening song is halted as the crowd push forward and a crack appears in the safety barrier.
Lyla is sensational too - (8.23).Noel Gallagher himself has been quoted as saying how the number was a huge hit live and it doesn't disappoint.
Watch the entire gig here
10. River Plate Stadium (Buenos Aires, Argentina) May 2009
Backstory
Recorded in the final months of Oasis lifespan we witness Argentina's long standing love for the band one last time. There are no obvious signs of unrest between the Gallagher brothers in the performance even though the end is only a handful of weeks away.
Why It Was One Of Their Best
Throughout the show you can hear waves of crowd members throughout numerous songs passionately singing along to every word. Liam is menacing and majestic in equal measure. His voice returns to the power and drive seen more than a decade before.
Highlight
When the drumbeat to Shock Of The Lightning begins to sound (11.23) the Argentinian audience starts to chant over and over - creating an unbelievable atmosphere.
Don't miss Chris Sharrock's drum solo at (15.15)
Watch the entire gig here