Fans ‘off the scale’ excited for band’s Irish return

For fans eagerly awaiting the return of the one of the world’s biggest bands after 17 years, Dublin is the only place to be this weekend.

Oasis are back for their first gigs on Irish soil since 2008 as they bring their reunion tour to Croke Park for two sold out performances starting on Saturday night.

Little by little excitement has been building, with those fans lucky enough to get tickets creating their own masterplan for the return of the Gallagher brothers.

Whatever happens at Croke Park, fans of all ages have been telling BBC News NI that the anticipation and excitement is “off the scale”.

Nick McKay is among them – although he’s not just an Oasis superfan, he’s also got skin in the game as he performs with Northern Ireland’s only Oasis tribute band.

He joined Roll With It in 2013 after answering an advert, becoming the band’s version of guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs.

Roll With It are playing in Dublin in the afternoon before the concerts get under way.

“We’ve done over 300 gigs,” Nick told BBC News NI.

“Just to play their songs, I mean, we’re such fans and to be able to go and play those songs to like-minded people, big audiences -it’s just an incredible feeling.”

Working in finance by day and performing as Bonehead by night is quite a switch, but it all stems from Nick’s love of the band – who, on Sunday night, he’ll be seeing for the 38th time.

He said it will be like seeing them for the first time.

“We didn’t think it was ever going to happen, we had no expectation of Oasis ever returning. I can’t wait.

“Unfortunately, we’re driving straight home after.”

Comedian Paddy McDonnell is doubling up – the Oasis fan saw the band in Edinburgh last week and, on Sunday, will be heading to Dublin for gig number two.

He’s not quite on the same level as Nick – having seen the band 15 times before they split – but he’s not far off, and thinks many people are going to “relive their youth”.

“It’s a sense of nostalgia, making us feel like we’re 22 again.

“I have seen them numerous times since they split, when Liam and Noel were performing in their separate acts, and its just not the same.

“I genuinely thought it would never happen, considering how public the family feud was, it’s been a long time coming.”

Paddy admitted he was almost scammed when seeking tickets and thought he wasn’t going to make it – but being a comedian can help.

“Thankfully we got our money back but it was pure luck that a woman in my accountant’s office couldn’t make the gig in Edinburgh – so I agreed to do stand-up at her wedding in exchange for the tickets.

“I was able to get tickets to Dublin when I just happened to do a podcast with a guy who sorted me out.”

Paddy was happy to share some advice to fellow concert-goers – consider wearing a coat, even if it’s warm.

“In Edinburgh, I wore a large jacket. Many were wondering why, but when the music starts people go nuts and there’s beer and all sorts flying in the air.

“I had the hood up, well protected from any liquid.”

For others, like Will McCrum and Nathan Black, this weekend will be the first time seeing Oasis.

Will, 24, from Newtownabbey, has seen Liam Gallagher perform three times but never with Oasis.

“This concert will be more about the atmosphere, than anything else. As they are probably my favourite musicians, it’s crazy I get to see them live, something I genuinely thought would never happen.

“The anticipation and excitement is off the scales, I have literally no idea what to expect, all I know is when they play Acquiesce is going to be proper limbs.”

Nathan, also 24, will travel from Ballyclare to Dublin. Like many others, he doubted he’d get tickets.

“I tried for whatever venue I could possibly get my hands on, I didn’t care where I went to see them.

“I remember being about 25,000th in the queue on Ticketmaster, thinking there was no chance.”

He added: “Of course, we’re all excited. What’s making the wait seem that much longer is all these videos going round social media, when they walk out for the first time the place is going to go mental.”

There are others who remember Oasis early days, when the band’s star was on the rise.

David Neely’s unique connection to the band is being the man who had booked them to play in Belfast, as it happens, on the day debut album Definitely Maybe went number one in the UK charts.

Tickets cost £6.75 for the gig in The Limelight, the venue David managed.

“It’s a long time ago now, but we just heard of this band who were only three singles in, and Melody Maker, Hot Press and NME, – all the magazines – were buzzing about this new band from Manchester, and thankfully we were able to snare them.”

He booked them six weeks before they performed “just as the buzz was kicking in”.

“It was almost a run-of-the-mill gig, a Sunday night, about 500 people where there, at the same time there was something special about that night.

“It was the right band at the right time in the right venue.”

David will be in Croke Park this weekend.

“There are very few bands from that era that send a shiver down your spine when you hear them, so I’m looking forward to seeing them.”

At Belfast’s Grand Central Station, some fans were already making their way to Dublin.

William and Catherine Robinson said they “play their songs all the time in the house” and couldn’t wait for the gig.

“I’m a big Noel fan so I cant wait to hear them play Talk Tonight – any of his songs I’m looking forward to.”

The pair queued, virtually, for hours to get a ticket and were willing to travel half a world away – but, in the end, they didn’t have to go that far.

“We’ve made a weekend of it so we are going to head round the bars on Saturday and just have a really good time.”

The Gallaghers, no doubt, would approve.