International Fans Gather in Dublin for Oasis Reunion Concert

Fans from around the world have descended on Dublin to witness the much-anticipated reunion concert of the iconic British band, Oasis, taking place at Croke Park. The excitement is palpable as attendees prepare for an unforgettable night in one of Ireland’s most famous venues.

Bart Verbeelen, a devoted Oasis fan from Belgium, arrived in Dublin wearing a distinctive jersey that combines the logos of his favorite band and local football club, the Bohemians. He noted that many fellow passengers on his flight sported similar attire. Verbeelen, who purchased a ticket to see the Gallagher brothers perform live for just €25 in 2000, happily paid 20 times that amount to experience their performance again. “It’s the memory of a childhood,” he shared, standing outside a pop-up merchandise shop on St Stephen’s Green.

The mid-1990s were a challenging time for many, and for Verbeelen, Oasis represented the soundtrack of that era in England. He and his partner dedicated five hours in front of their computers on the day tickets for the reunion tour went on sale, navigating multiple tabs for Dublin, London, and Manchester to secure their place at the concert. After a brief respite to walk their dog, they returned to discover they were “the 400,000th person in the queue.” Faced with the challenge of providing a local address, they humorously settled on Limerick, even though they hail from Belgium.

Now, Verbeelen sees the concert as not just a musical event, but also a chance for a quick city break, even if he does not plan to visit the nearby Shannon Riviera. “When the fans come together, it’s a community… We are proud of being an Oasis fan,” he emphasized.

As concertgoers flock to the pop-up merchandise shop, the queue continues to grow on the eve of the concert. Many are expressing their excitement in person as Dublin prepares for the influx of visitors. The reunion tour is proving to be a financial boon for the Gallagher brothers, with significant implications for Dublin’s hospitality sector.

Craig, who traveled from Canada, recounted the effort it took to secure tickets. “We got the concert tickets last August and booked our vacation around it. I was so pumped to hear when they were getting back together,” he said, recalling the early morning hours when he and his friends woke up at midnight to secure their spot in a queue that swelled to 180,000 at one point.

The emotions that come with trying to secure tickets are intense, but for Craig, it all paid off. “You get in line and go through all the emotions, thinking ‘Can you get tickets, can you not?’ And then it all worked out, so yeah, we’re pretty excited.”

Emerging from the pop-up shop, Craig noted the shift in atmosphere. “It was pretty calm but it’s mayhem now; you can see the excitement. I’m sure Oasis are doing pretty good on merch sales right now.”

The concert at Croke Park is more than just a performance; it is a gathering of fans, a celebration of music, and a testament to the enduring legacy of Oasis. As Dublin welcomes visitors from across the globe, the city is set to come alive with the sounds of the past, creating new memories for both long-time fans and newcomers alike.