It was an emotional night for Britpop fans yesterday in Cardiff as Oasis kicked off their first tour in 16 years.
Yet it wasn’t just the bucket hat-wearing crowds who got wrapped up in the poignancy of the moment.
Keen-eyed concertgoers couldn’t help but notice that Noel Gallagher appeared to be crying at the start and the end of the show.
Those keen to defend Noel, 58, from accusations that he only agreed to reunite with his brother Liam for money are now using this as proof that the Oasis reunion isn’t a ‘cash grab’.
‘Seeing this photo of Noel crying before and then calling Liam over for a hug afterwards, it’s clear to see this was not just a simple cash grab,’ wrote @dylanwhxtbread on X.
‘I hope everyone who said that Noel did this for a cash grab realised how much they were talking outta their *rse,’ agreed @natonfilm.
‘Noel put his whole heart & soul into this performance, ‘ they continued. ‘He literally called Liam over for a hug and was in tears. This means just as much to him as it does for Liam.’
Meanwhile, @DlRTYSHlRT wrote, ‘Some were saying that Noel was doing this as a cash grab, but tonight he walked on stage crying and ended the show by calling Liam over for a hug.’
The sentiment wasn’t exclusive to X on the Oasis section of Reddit Fantastic_Vast_5078 argued with another fan that Noel wouldn’t be getting so emotionally invested if he were purely motivated by money.
‘There’s a big difference between emotional and miserable, they argued. ‘Due to their past, we kind of know what a miserable, doesn’t want to be there, Noel looks like. It looks nothing like tonight.’
Warp 757 took a more balanced view, agreeing that the Noel fans saw last night ‘was a very different Noel to the last Oasis tour.’
WIN four VIP tickets to TRNSMT Festival 2025
For the eighth year, 150,000 festival goers will descend on Glasgow Green from 11-13 July to see the liked of 50 Cent, Gracie Abrams and Biffy Clyro, and you could be there!
Metro has teamed up with Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT Festival to offer four VIP tickets to one lucky winner.
For a chance to win this massive music prize, simply enter your details here.
You have until midnight on Sunday 6 July 2025 to enter using the form below. Entrants must be 18+. Good luck! T&Cs apply*.
Click here if form is not loading.
* Open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 18:01 BST on 2 July 2025 and closes at 23:59 BST on 6 July 2025. The promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. Entrant must visit https://metro.co.uk/2025/07/02/win-vip-tickets-see-50-cent-gracie-abrams-biffy-clyro-trnsmt-festival-2025-23539991/ and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions is necessary to enter the promotion. There will be one (1) winner. The winner will win four (4) VIP weekend tickets for TRNSMT Festival, running from 11th – 13th July 2025 at Glasgow Green, in Glasgow (“Prize”). Proof of age and photographic ID are required for entry for all guests (the guests of the winner must be at least 16 years old at the time of entry). The Prize, including entry and attendance at TRSNMT festival, is subject to and governed by the Promoter’s full ticket terms and conditions. 1 prize available. 1 entry per person. Full T&Cs apply, see here.
They said it was fair if Noel found the situation ‘overwhelming’ but said they thought Noel was ‘on fire’ and ‘clearly enjoying himself once he settled in’.
‘It’s possible the decision was originally made for financial reasons,’ they finished. ‘But now he is actually enjoying it and they’re getting on better than expected.’
The rumours that Noel only agreed to an Oasis reunion for financial reasons started to circulate almost as soon as the group’s tour was announced.
Is Noel really doing the tour for money?
Our Deputy TV editor (and proud Mancunian) Tom Percival shares his thoughts…
It’s easy for cynics to claim that Noel only agreed to do the tour for money, and perhaps there’s a grain of truth in that.
But I challenge anyone to watch Noel and Liam’s performance last night and not say that both brothers weren’t giving it their all – Liam sounded better than he has in years, and Noel was playing lead on so many songs.
It would have been relatively easy for the brothers to coast through this gig, but neither did. They put their heart and soul into it for the fans and for themselves.
Fans were quick to point to Noel’s recent divorce from Sara MacDonald – which reportedly cost the star £20million – as the reason for his sudden decision to get the band back together.
The tour is expected to net Noel and Liam £50 million each, and there have been unverified reports that this helped motivate the older Gallagher to bury the hatchet with ‘our kid’.
It doesn’t help matters that in 2015, Noel told Q magazine [via Rolling Stone] that he’d only do it ‘for the money’.
‘Would I do it for charity? No way,’ he said. ‘We’re not that kind of people. For Glastonbury? I don’t think Michael Eavis has got enough money.
‘But would we get back together one day? As long as everybody is still alive and still has their hair, it’s always a possibility. But only for the money.’
In 2016, Noel would also Rolling Stone, ‘Look, to be honest, I don’t need the money. But that might change if they get offered $50 million 10 years from now.’
Metro has reached out to Noel to see why and is he was Crying His Heart Out.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
