One local council might have some explaining to do when Oasis fans flock to its city.
The countdown is now on for the string of reunion shows that will see brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher back on stage together for the first time since 2009.
Last year the band sent fans into a frenzy when announcing their reunion tour, with tickets quickly being snapped up when they went on sale in August.
The band is set to kick off the tour in Cardiff on July 4, heading to Manchester and London before putting on three shows at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.
Although some have been worried the brothers – famed for their ongoing hostilities – might not even make it on stage, it turns out the City of Edinburgh’s council’s concerns instead lay with the tens of thousands of people who will be attending the shows.
Council documents have revealed that officials are worried attendees could cause some problems.
In the official papers, they’ve called Oasis fans mainly ‘middle-aged men’ who ‘take up more room’, as reported by The Sun.
The council has also expressed concerns about the amount they might drink, explaining they expect ‘medium to high intoxication’ and a ‘substantial amount of older fans’ amongst the 210,000 punters on August 8, 9 and 12.
At the same time Oasis is playing, Edinburgh’s famed Fringe Festival will also be running, with millions expected in the city from August 1 to 25.
Planning briefings from the council have warned that: ‘Concerned about the safety of the Fringe and its performers. Many performers are considering not attending for that weekend.
‘There is concern about crowds…as they are already rowdy…and the tone of the band.
‘Middle-aged men take up more room. Consider this when working out occupancy,’ they added, in an apparent reference to their weight.
Speaking to The Sun, Oasis Collectors Group member David Walker said: ‘To call fans drunk, middle-aged, and fat is a nasty, sneering stereotype — it’s a jaundiced view.’
Not one to ever hold back Liam, 52, also weighed in once he heard about the dig at his fans.
‘To the Edinburgh council I’ve heard what you said about OASIS fans and quite frankly your attitude f***ing stinks I’d leave town that day if I was any of you lot.’
He then added: ‘I’d love to see a picture of all the people on the Edinburgh council bet there’s some real STUNING individuals.’
In anticipation for the three Oasis concerts, which are set to generate £136 million for the local economy, the council set up an advisory group of organisers, emergency services and transport chiefs to ensure safety
In a statement to Metro, councillor Margaret Graham, also the culture and communities convener, said the city was ‘very proud to host the biggest and best events in Edinburgh throughout the year’.
She added they ‘bring in hundreds of millions of pounds to the local economy and provide unparalleled entertainment for our residents and visitors’.
‘As with any major event which takes place in the city, we prepare extensively alongside our partners to ensure the safety and best possible experience of everyone involved – and Oasis are no different. No two events are the same in terms of requirements or planning and our multi-agency approach reflects this appropriately,’ she continued.
‘We’re also working closely with residents in the local area to make sure these concerts pass off as smoothly as possible. Over the past few years, we’ve hosted many similar events and managed to strike the right balance between communicating well with residents and fulfilling the needs of major events and I have no doubt we can do so once again. We always look to learn lessons from previous years to update and improve on our plans.’
Wrapping up her statement, councillor Graham said: ‘We’re all looking forward to seeing Oasis take to the stage this August and I’m sure that they’ll ‘live forever’ as some of the most memorable concerts ever performed at Murrayfield.’
Nearly 16 years ago Oasis performed what was to be their last gig for years after tension between the brothers boiled over at the V festival performance in Chelmsford.
They’d also been due to play at Rock en Seine in Paris a few days later but festival-goers were told the day of that the Oasis set had been cancelled ‘as a result of an altercation within the band’.
Just hours later, Noel, now 58, said he had quit the band and that he ‘simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer’.
When their UK shows went on sale last year, 17 million Oasis fans tried to snap up 1.7 million tickets.
It was a similar case of fans doing their best to scoop limited spots when the band also announced shows across Asia, Australia, North America, and South America.
Throughout their world tour, the brothers are estimated to rake in as much as £50million each.
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