Summer 2025 has felt somewhat nostalgic with acts like Pulp, Supergrass and of course, the band of the moment, Oasis, performing to sold-out crowds across the country.
If we roll (with it!) back the years to the summer of 1996, Oasis were the band of the moment then too, and their record-breaking performance of Knebworth was infinitely the gig of the decade.
Two-and-a-half million people applied for tickets, which equated to more than 4% of the population at the time, making it the largest demand for gig tickets in British history.
There’s no doubt that Oasis could have sold out another two weeks’ worth of shows based on the insatiable demand. Noel and Liam Gallagher and co. approached everything with fearless determination, and their relentless spirit made what seemed like the musical equivalent of scaling Everest feel like a walk in the (Knebworth) park.
Knebworth undoubtedly stands as one of the boldest and most monumental events in British music history. Oasis transformed it into a defining moment – it wasn’t just a milestone for the record-breaking band; it became a life-changing experience for everyone who was there.
Marcus Russell, the band’s manager, told NME in 2006: ‘Knebworth wasn’t meant to be a historic moment. It became one because of the people who experienced it – every kid who was there,’ while Noel himself told the publication, ‘It was the last great gathering of the people before the birth of the internet.’
The 250,000-strong sold-out crowd didn’t just witness one of the world’s biggest bands at their peak; they also got to enjoy some of the most electrifying acts from the UK music scene, including The Charlatans, Ocean Colour Scene, The Prodigy, and more.
Russell shared the reasoning behind the lineup, saying, ‘I think Oasis went out of their way to put a special bill together that was representative of the time and pretty diverse.’
Even back in 1996, the idea of seeing a lineup like the one at Knebworth was mind-blowing. As Alan McGee put it to The Independent, ‘At that moment in 1996, that bill was probably as good as it got.’
Oasis aimed to create an event that would be etched in memory forever, and they wanted to share that experience with their musical peers. So, what do the supporting acts remember about this unforgettable moment?
One of the standout acts at Knebworth was The Prodigy, who were invited by Noel to be part of the history-making gigs. Recalling how the band were asked to get involved, Prodigy member Liam Howlett once said, ‘Remembering back, Keef was friends with Noel and on a night out, Noel asked Keef if we would play one of their Knebworth gigs. It was the slot right before they [Oasis] played. Keef mentioned it to the rest of us, and without much discussion, we all said “F**k yeah!”’
He added: ‘The main memory I have of it is as we were walking on stage to play, Noel came up to me and said ‘Play Poison!’. We did our thing , came off and we were buzzing! Then I remember grabbing a load of booze and going out the front to watch them play. It was epic, a moment in time never to be forgotten!’
For the 4% of the UK population fortunate enough to score tickets to the biggest show on Earth, it was, for some, a Squid Games-style challenge, while for others, it was a perfect example of trusting the universe and sheer determination in action.
While some Oasis fans were locked in a battle with phone lines for tickets, others, like Georgina Sturmer, stood in line outside the London Astoria and subsequently took a coach up to Hertfordshire. She vividly remembers sprinting with her friends to claim the best spot for a perfect view of her musical idols and still has her original Knebworth tickets, in near mint condition.
Musician and Oasis fan Steve Mahoney also kept his tickets from that unforgettable day. His strongest memory is the thrill of hearing two brand new, unreleased Oasis tracks It’s Gettin’ Better (Man!!) and My Big Mouth, which would later appear on Be Here Now in 1997.
Oasis’s Knebworth shows are considered to have defined the Britpop era and had a significant impact on live music. The two gigs were the absolute pinnacle in the band’s career, both musically and culturally.
For the rockers, Knebworth marked the pinnacle of their rapid ascent, with a two-night set that defined both their career and an entire era for thousands of music fans.
Oasis had always set their sights on becoming the world’s biggest rock ‘n’ roll band, and thanks to those two unforgettable nights at Knebworth, they achieved it. Their performances remain some of the most iconic and celebrated in their history, cementing Knebworth as one of their greatest gigs ever.
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