Oasis Reunion: Crew Anger Over No Free Tickets and All-About-Money Tour
Oasis's Rockstar Reunion: A Tale of Greed and Betrayal
As the dust settles on their long-awaited reunion, Oasis is facing a backlash from behind-the-scenes crew members who have been left high and dry by the band's penny-pinching ways. The multi-millionaire rockers' latest cash-grab may be raking in an astonishing £600 million, but it seems they're not willing to spare a single ticket for those who've worked tirelessly to keep their shows running smoothly.
Sources close to the tour reveal that the hard-working roadies, stage managers, and other crew members are furious over the decision to withhold free gig tickets - a perk commonly given to industry colleagues and friends of the band. One disgruntled source spilled: "It's all about the money for Noel and Liam. They don't care who they step on to get it."
The crew will be spending months away from their loved ones, setting up venues and ensuring the smooth operation of each concert. Yet, instead of receiving a token of appreciation in the form of free tickets, they'll be expected to pay full price like die-hard fans. Even close pals and industry colleagues who've worked alongside the band have been left without a ticket.
Among those feeling the pinch are record executives who've worked with Oasis throughout their careers and long-time friends who've toured with them. One veteran friend of the band recounted how he was directed to a special website with a code to access tickets - only to be told he'd still have to pay face value. "A lot of industry people are pretty stunned," said another well-placed source. "These are people who've known the band for years, or worked in and around them directly, and they've never seen anything like it."
The controversy surrounding Oasis's reunion has been simmering since last August, when ticket sales for their gigs sparked outrage among fans. Prices surged beyond face value, with some seats more than doubling to £355. The band claimed they had no awareness of the dynamic pricing model used by Ticketmaster - but insiders revealed that long-time manager Marcus Russell was responsible for agreeing to the strategy.
The backlash reached a fever pitch when Oasis frontman Liam found himself labelled a "hypocrite" by fans due to his earlier criticism of high ticket prices charged for Noel's other band, High Flying Birds. In 2017, Liam tweeted: "£350 to go and see our kid in USA, what a c* - when will it stop?" Now, he's being accused of hypocrisy for not speaking out against the same issue affecting Oasis fans.
Sources close to the singer revealed that Liam is "not happy" about the situation, but has been unable to muster any significant opposition. Instead, Noel remains firmly in control of the band's business affairs - a move that has left promoters stunned by their almost unprecedented deal to take up to 30 per cent of profits from some venues.
The brothers have also bagged themselves an lucrative deal with Adidas for a branded Oasis clothing range, featuring T-shirts priced at £55, sweaters at £70, and jackets at £100. Many items sold out immediately online, but will be back in stock before the reunion gigs. One source even claimed there were discussions about the band taking a cut of car park profits - though this was promptly denied.
As one insider quipped: "If they could monetise breathing the air in the stadium, they probably would." The question on everyone's lips is: Has Oasis sold out to its own greed? Only time will tell if their reunion is truly rock and roll or just a cash-grab.