Oasis reunion: How much money will the band make?
The first thing millions of Oasis fans will be thinking after the band’s landmark announcement that they’re reforming for a tour next year is, “Can I get a ticket?” Tickets for the UK and Ireland leg of the tour will go on sale at 9.00am on Saturday, August 31st. But those looking to purchase them might also be interested in knowing how much they will cost.
According to the Manchester Evening News, industry insiders predict that ticket prices will start above £100. While that might compare favourably with the likes of Taylor Swift, whose latest Wembley shows set her audience back at least £500 per ticket, it represents an increase of more than 100% in prices for the last Oasis tour in 2008-09. Back then, people could see the band in Manchester for as little as £42.50.
Oasis representatives might quibble over figures or argue that the costs of putting on a tour have increased dramatically over the past 15 years, which is true. Still, costs haven’t doubled or anything close to that. The predicted prices are a reflection of the sheer level of demand for tickets to these historic gigs. Promoters and ticket merchants know they can sell them out even while charging extortionate amounts of money to fans desperate to experience the band live at last. Attendees will have no choice but to pay through the nose, and if they can’t afford to, tough.
Another reason that ticket prices will be so high is the payout expected for some of the Oasis band members, specifically the Gallagher brothers Noel and Liam. Last year, Blur singer Damon Albarn quipped that he’d put money on an Oasis reunion. His winnings will be paltry, though, compared to those of his Britpop rivals.
So what are the Gallaghers getting?
Noel Gallagher admitted on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2021 that there was a figure which would entice him back to Oasis. “If anyone wants to offer me £100million now,” he said, “I’ll say it now, I’ll do it.” Ironically, £100m does indeed feel somewhat to be the magic number.
Entertainment agent Professor Jonathan Shalit has told The Sun that he expects the Gallagher brothers to net nine figures between them. “With tickets, sponsorship, merchandise and filming, I would predict an income for Noel and Liam of over £50million each.” That’s out of total tour revenues of over £400m.
These estimates are coming out before other international legs of the tour have even been finalised. Spokespeople for Noel and Liam might want to rubbish the claims, and there’s no way anyone can put an accurate figure on earnings who hasn’t seen the final tour plans or the contracts the brothers have signed.
Yet it does seem unerringly prescient that Liam touted the £100m figure on social media three years ago. There’s no question that money is a factor in the Gallagher brothers reuniting on stage. Specifically, the factor of eight by which £50m would increase Liam’s wealth. It would double Noel’s net worth, too.
So if anyone moans about having to shell out more than a day’s wages on an Oasis ticket, they remember where their money’s going. It’s all for a good cause.
