BBC NewsAll eyes are on stunning Switzerland, as 16 teams battle it out to win Euro 2025, including Wales and defending champions England.
But how much do you know about the tournament? Take our quiz and limber up for the football event of the summer.
Written and produced by: Text Formats and Special Projects teams
Designs by: Dan Hague
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When Tivoli Gardens opened its gates in central Copenhagen 182 years ago, one of the first people through the turnstiles was Hans Christian Andersen. Since then, this compact amusement park squeezed between the Central Station and City Hall has become more than just Denmark’s most popular visitor attraction, it’s a cultural landmark and a location for national celebration that holds a quasi-spiritual place in the heart of the Danes.
The park blends beer garden aesthetic with highbrow culture, live music, theatre, modern thrill rides and old-fashioned fairground stalls, all of which combine with its world-famous lighting to create a fairytale setting.
Tivoli’s history is a crucial element of its appeal – but as CEO Susanne Mørch Koch knows all too well, to compete in 2025’s attention economy you can’t coast on legacy alone. Her stint as leader began with a baptism of fire. She took over in August 2020 amid the Covid crisis, as a result of which the park lost millions of kroner in revenue. But after a rollercoaster start, Tivoli posted a record for visitor numbers and turnover in 2024.
Monocle meets Koch to find out more about how she has shepherded this cherished Danish brand from catastrophe to triumph, and about her plans for the future.
Tivoli seems to hold a special place in Danish hearts. What is its appeal?
Many of us carry childhood memories from Tivoli. My family didn’t have a lot of money when I was young, and looking back I now realise that my parents worked so hard and we didn’t have a lot of spare time together. But we would visit Tivoli every summer as a family, and it was something that I looked forward to for the whole week running up to it. I couldn’t sleep the night before. And that’s still true for kids today. My favourite ride was Galejen – just little boats running round in a circle but it’s quite a legacy ride today and always busy. It even has a special smell and feel. Now, I ride the old wooden rollercoaster most often.
Who is your competition? Are you vying with computer games, streaming services and social media to capture the imagination of children?
No, not really, because we are so different from that world. There has been pressure to gamify the park with apps – we had a suggestion for something a bit like Pokémon Go – but we have deliberately not done that. We are selling quality time and screens would get in the way of that. Of course, no one wants to stand in line and be bored, but we’re not afraid of people queuing a little: it’s where you can ground yourself, reflect on what you’ve just experienced and build anticipation. We see it as a benefit. Where apps can improve a visit, we use them – restaurant bookings, for instance – but we don’t want technology to be part of the show. And you don’t have to book a table, there’s always room for a little spontaneity.
Tivoli has iconic gates that seem to draw people in – how important is this exterior image?
The main entrance is crucial. It’s a magical place where we welcome and say goodbye to our guests, so there’s a lot of footfall. Throughout Tivoli there is an intentionality behind every detail. Rather than having things that shout for attention, it’s an accumulation of all the little things, such as the way that we use lighting, the planting and the sentiment of the people who work here.
How do you balance the history of Tivoli with a need to innovate?
When I started, people warned me that I risked provoking outrage by changing things. But I’m yet to experience that. Tivoli has always moved forward, it has never shied away from change. If it had done so, it would risk becoming a postcard version of itself – what use is a theme park with no thrill? From the start, my guideline has been that it has to make sense to the people who live just outside our walls. It’s not a typical amusement park that could be anywhere – with live entertainment and good food, we cater to more than tourists and day trippers.
What does the future hold for Tivoli?
There is still scope to grow visitor numbers, particularly in the shoulder seasons, spring and autumn. We are choosing to expand the Halloween season as the Norwegians have an earlier autumn vacation and we want to attract them. But there’s something huge ahead of next summer – we are redeveloping our street-like layout, with new rides and scenography. The budget is somewhere between DKK100-200 million (€13.4-26.8m) and it’ll feel like a real refresh.
Tivoli Gardens
Founded 1843
Open: Apr-Sept, Oct, mid-Nov-Early Jan
Location: Central Copenhagen
Total employees: high season 2,200+, low season 700-800
Turnover (2024): DKK1.32bn (€177m)
Visitors (2024): 4.25 million, of which 35 per cent are tourists
Ownership: Tivoli is listed on the Danish stock market but is majority owned by the Augustinus Fonden
Sustainability: Net zero by the end of 2025
Google Pixel Watch 4 render | Image credit: @OnLeaks via 91Mobiles
The smartwatch market is not nearly as crowded as the smartphone market, but that doesn’t mean that competition isn’t just as fierce. Between Apple and Samsung, Google is trying to find its own audience in the United States.
If you’re a Google fan who prefers the company’s Pixel products, a fresh leak is spilling all the colors of the upcoming Pixel Watch 4. That includes the case colors and the band options that customers will be able to choose from once Google’s smartwatch goes on sale.
According to reliable tipster @MysteryLupin, the Wi-Fi and LTE versions of Pixel Watch 4 will be available in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. Both will come in four case/band colors, which we have listed below:
Besides those, Google will also launch a slew of Pixel Watch 4 bands, each aimed at different audiences. Here are all the options that will probably be available at launch:Bands
Gradient Stretch Bands
It’s unclear if some these colors will only be available with the larger or smaller size Pixel Watch 4, like it happened with the previous model. In any case, if you’re considering the Pixel Watch 4, you’ll plenty of hues to choose from this year.
Google Pixel Watch 4 render | Image credit: @OnLeaks via 91Mobiles
One other piece of information revealed by the leaker is the fact that the bands will be available in sizes 1 to 5, but it remains to be seen if this is available for both Pixel Watch 4 sizes.
While plenty information about Pixel 10 leaked, there are very few details about Google’s upcoming smartwatch. The only major Pixel Watch 4 leak dates from April and comes in the form of a set of renders made by @OnLeaks.
Based on these renders, there won’t be too many case design changes between the current-gen Pixel Watch and the next model. The only changes that we’re aware of are wireless charging support and two mysterious buttons positioned to the left and right of the speaker.
No release timeframe for the Pixel Watch 4 has leaked yet, but it’s worth mentioning that Google introduced the Pixel Watch 3 and August, so an announcement might be just one month away.
Marcelo Bacci is Vale’s Executive Vice-president – Finance and Investor Relations (CFO).
Mr. Bacci has relevant executive experience in management and finance, including over 20 years in leadership positions in companies with different compositions and segments.
For the last 10 years, he was the Executive Vice-president of Finance and Investor Relations at Suzano S.A., where he had an outstanding performance.
He also served as Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of companies in the Suzano Group and other companies in the Brazilian market, such as Energisa S.A. and BRF S.A.
He holds a degree in Public Administration from Fundação Getulio Vargas, and MBA degrees from Stanford Graduate School of Business and IBMEC – Brazilian Capital Market Institute.
Photo-Illustration: Marylu Herrera
In this week’s story, a woman tests her new relationship at an Airbnb on the beach: 32, in a relationship, Connecticut.
DAY ONE
7:20 a.m. I wake up early to the sound of waves. This Airbnb somewhere on a beach in Connecticut is exactly what I need: water views, space, light, zero city chaos. H is still sleeping — or maybe pretending to be asleep. I’m not sure. It’s been only three months together, and this is our first trip. It should be quite telling.
10:30 a.m. He’s still sleeping. Is that weird? We’re in our early 30s. It seems weird to sleep this late, but maybe I’m overthinking; I do that. I peek into the bedroom. He’s snoozing peacefully. I watch him, both wondering how I got so lucky and whether or not I trust him. He hasn’t done anything to make me not trust him, but I don’t trust men in general. My ex was a liar; the one before him was a cheater. I’m not, like, wounded wounded, but I’m a little fucked up when it comes to trusting men. H knows this about me, to some extent, but not fully. I don’t want to sound unstable to him!
12 p.m. H finds me reading on the beach — our own private beach that comes with this rental … gorgeous! He’s showered and dressed and suggests we go into town for breakfast (for him) and lunch (for me). I have to bite my tongue not to ask him when he woke up, why didn’t he come say “hello,” does he always sleep late like a teenager? Instead, I’m like, “Yup. Let’s do it!”
3 p.m. We do the cute couple-y thing: grab beach food from a crab shack, hold hands while shopping a bit, go look at the marina and kiss. H is a very easygoing guy. He’s funny, cute, pretty good in bed. We met online, and I was shocked how normal he was. It was enough to keep me interested, although I’m not sure our connection will grow deeper than it is now. I’m just not sure if he’s inherently shy and reserved or emotionally unavailable.
5 p.m. Back at the rental, we have sex. It feels more mandatory than passionate. H is a good lover. He always goes down on me. He’s got a strong dick that is always up for a good time. I usually come when we fuck, just not today. But I pretend that I do.
8 p.m. We’re grilling dinner and drinking cold white wine. Again, it’s all idyllic, but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. H knows none of this as I just smile and appear to be soaking in the moment. Then we get into bed to watch The Bear and go to sleep.
DAY TWO
10 a.m. He is still sleeping! Weird but okay!
11 a.m. I take some selfies and pretty pictures of our view. I’m going to post on Instagram but not sure if I should tag H. We haven’t gone Insta official yet. He’s barely on social media to begin with (he works at an elite private school, so his privacy is important to him). I work for my family business, importing gourmet ingredients from other countries, so I have no reason to be private or anxious about anything work-wise. He’s off for the summer, and I’m taking a few personal days for this trip.
12 p.m. I post and don’t tag him. Just as I do this, he arises. I call him Mr. Sleepyhead and he laughs, but I detect some defensiveness.
1:35 p.m. Same routine as yesterday. We’re in town grabbing breakfast-lunch. We’re sitting at an outdoor table talking about this area, and I stupidly say something like, “Maybe we’ll have a beach house around here someday?” I have no idea how that came out of my mouth, and he doesn’t flinch, but I regret it immediately. His response was just a little laugh. Fuck!
4:40 p.m. Sitting in our backyard by the beach, I show him the photos I posted on Insta. He’s like, “Why didn’t you tag me?” Call me insecure, but it literally fills my heart with joy when he says that. I play it cool and tell him maybe I’ll tag him next time. But the point is now I’m so horny for him that I lead him back to the house and we fuck all over the place: first the couch, then bedroom that we’re not sleeping in, and then our room. It’s, like, one long fuck session in three different scenes. In the end, I have this crazy-loud orgasm, and so does he. We’re both kind of laughing at ourselves after that. It’s the most wild our sex has ever been.
6 p.m. While he grills and I sip wine, I feel at ease, at least for now.
8 p.m. We’re showered, in bed, and watching another episode of The Bear.
DAY THREE
9:45 a.m. I’m back at the beach, reading with my coffee. H is the one who paid for this Airbnb, so I want to treat him to something nice today. I’m looking for good spas in the area and call a few to see what’s available. I book something for him later in the day. Hope he likes it!
11:45 a.m. He’s still sleeping, but I crawl back into bed with him. This wakes him a little and we start fooling around. He has horrific morning breath, but I try to work with it. My breath might not be much better after all the coffee I’ve had. Whatever. We start to fuck and something really crazy happens: He farts. We both try to play it off for a second, but then we both start laughing. He’s like, “Well, we got our first fart over with.” What is wrong with me that I find that line superromantic? We finish up fucking after that but are both too giggly to actually come.
2 p.m. I’m dropping H off at the spa place, which is in a cute nearby town. He’s super-excited. I’m glad I did this for him. As he walks in, he turns around and says, “I don’t deserve you.” He says this lovingly, but me being me, I start to spiral over it. Were they just nice, throwaway words, or was he saying that he’s a piece of shit and literally doesn’t deserve me? Was it a warning of sorts? This is how my dating brain works! It’s awful.
4 p.m. After his massage, we get drinks in town. He’s all blissed out and very quiet. I ask if anything is wrong, and he says he’s just very, very relaxed. He’s all smiley, but of course I’m nervous.
6:40 p.m. It’s our last dinner here. He’s grilling shrimp and corn while I kind of start to pack us up. Back to the city tomorrow. I call my sister on speakerphone while I fold my clothes and get our stuff out of the dryer. He can’t hear us talking, but I’m still whispering. She asks if we got “so much closer” on this trip. The answer is “yes and no.” It’s good to know we’re compatible while traveling; he never annoyed me. We have the same interests (reading) and pace when at the beach. We both like to get into bed early. But do I know him any better than before? Not really. Our conversations have been mainly superficial: work goals, financial goals, funny stories from high school and college, analyzing episodes of The Bear, etc. My sister thinks it all sounds “easy,” which is “awesome,” and I know she’s right and yet my head spins.
10 p.m. In bed, we have sex slowly and intimately. He’s the one initiating it like this. It feels like maybe this is his way of showing-not-telling me we’re closer than ever and that this is only the beginning. I hope so.
DAY FOUR
8:30 a.m. Coffee on the beach. I will have to wake him soon since we’re supposed to check out by 10 a.m.
9:45 a.m. I wake him and he tries to pull me into bed to fool around, but we really have to check out. I tell him he has just enough time to shower. We already packed everything up last night.
11 a.m. He’s still getting ready to leave, while I’m sitting on the front porch kind of brooding. I am a real stickler for time, and it feels disrespectful to be late. There could be a housekeeper waiting to come in and turn things over for the next guests. This is starting to feed rude — to me, to the owners, etc. I also really hate tardiness in general.
11:30 a.m. By the time he walks out the front door, I’m fuming, but I try really hard to play it cool. I’m physically swallowing my anger. We get in the car, put on a podcast, and start driving back to the city.
3:15 p.m. We hit some bad traffic, so it was a long drive home and somewhat awkward because I never really calmed down about him taking so long this morning — and because he’s one of those guys who cannot handle traffic. He’s yelling at no one for a good hour. It should have taken just under two hours to drive home and instead took almost four. Good thing we had so many episodes of SmartLess to catch up on; I love this podcast. H drops me off first as it’s his car. We kiss on the lips good-bye — no tongue — and I go inside, hoping my roommates aren’t home. I need some space!
6 p.m. Happily alone at home for the rest of the day. I’m enjoying the silence. I’m podcasted out. Basically staring at a wall, if I’m being honest.
10 p.m. Neither H or I text each other the rest of the day. I think we’re both just happy to be home and it’s not a big deal.
DAY FIVE
9 a.m. I’m actually happy to walk into my office today. I get to see my family, which feels great. I’m happy to be productive. I really love my work.
12:30 p.m. Right around now, while sitting at my desk, I start thinking that H isn’t for me. I just think it’s weird that we just spent four days together and I don’t feel any more connected to him in any way.
2:40 p.m. H texts a “hello” emoji. That’s the best he can do! I don’t text back because I’m busy at work and not sure how to move forward with him.
3 p.m. My sister comes into work (she’s a stay-at-home mom) to say “hi” to everyone and hear more details about my vacation. I tell her I’m on the fence about this guy. She says I need to give it more time, that he sounds nice and stable and guys like that are impossible to come by. She’s older and wiser so I listen. This leads me to text H “Hello back!”
7 p.m. My roommates and I order sushi, drink wine, and watch Love Island. I’ve known these girls for years, but they both have serious boyfriends and it feels as though these are our last days of glory together before they get engaged or married and move on.
9:50 p.m. A little sexy texting with H, but it feels hollow.
DAY SIX
8:30 a.m. My dad and I have a breakfast meeting with clients today, so I’m already in midtown at a restaurant looking professional.
10:30 a.m. I love my dad so much, and as we take the subway to the office together, I can’t help but think that H is not high quality like my dad and simply too bland. I don’t share these thoughts with my dad.
3:30 p.m. H texts about my weekend plans as today is Friday. I have a pit in my stomach. I need to break up with him. I tell him that we should get lunch tomorrow. I wonder if my text screams “I’m going to break up with you.”
7:45 p.m. Another night of Love Island with one of my roommates. She asks if I want help figuring out what to say tomorrow, but honestly I just want to watch the show, go to sleep, and try to stay calm about it all.
DAY SEVEN
8 a.m. I feel like throwing up. I’m about to dump someone who might be great and then I’m going to be single again, which is the worst. But I have to listen to my heart here: He’s not for me.
10 a.m. Take a long walk around the neighborhood just to figure out my words for later.
12:40 p.m I’m early to meet H, of course, but that allows me to sit at the table and order a drink so I loosen up.
1 p.m. The look on his face says he knows what’s coming. So I get right into it. I tell him that something about our relationship makes me anxious and it’s not his fault. I tell him that I found myself craving more closeness, but I’m not sure he can go there with me. He defends himself a little bit by repeatedly saying it’s been only a few months and that I haven’t been overly communicative either. But he doesn’t fight for me, really.
2 p.m. We never end up ordering food. Just two drinks each, then a weird hug good-bye.
5 p.m. I’ve been walking around the city for a few hours, digesting the breakup and trying to dig deeper within myself to figure out why I get so anxious with dating and how I’m going to work on it.
9 p.m. It’s a weird night at home. The roommates aren’t around. I feel somewhat sad about the breakup but relieved, too. I don’t regret ending things — not yet at least.
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Don’t tell Kyle Kirkwood that Alex Palou will waltz to his fourth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship this season.
Kirkwood, the only driver besides Palou to win a race in 2025, led an eventful opening practice Friday for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport with a top lap of 1 minute, 5.8272 seconds in the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda featuring a special Honda tribute livery this weekend.
SEE: Practice Results
“We’re really fast right now,” Kirkwood said. “As long as we continue that, we’ll be in a really good spot. We’ve come here this year with maybe a different philosophy, and it seems to be working out.”
Reigning Mid-Ohio winner Pato O’Ward was second at 1:06.0160 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. All teams are benefiting from this event being the first anniversary of the INDYCAR hybrid system as, for the first time on a road and street circuit, teams can return to their car setup notes from 2024.
Palou still lurks near the top as he seeks his seventh victory this season, ending up third at 1:06.0409 in the No. 10 Open AI Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Kirkwood has won three races in 2025 and is second in the championship, 93 points behind Palou.
Two-time Mid-Ohio winner Josef Newgarden made a good start by ending up fourth at 1:06.1791 in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. Two-time Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Newgarden is a disappointing 17th in the season standings and is looking to jump-start the second half of his season this weekend.
Another driver looking to salvage his season, Marcus Ericsson, rounded out the top five at 1:06.2324 in the No. 28 FOX INDYCAR Honda of Andretti Global. 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Ericsson is 21st in points.
The tricky, roller-coaster nature of Mid-Ohio caught out a handful of drivers in the 80-minute session, which was split into two groups.
David Malukas backed into the tire wall hard in Turn 9 in his No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet of A.J. Foyt Enterprises, while Colton Herta backed his No. 26 Gainbridge Honda into the tire barrier in Turn 6. The Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian crew was able to fix Herta’s machine so he could return to the track. Neither driver was hurt.
2022 Mid-Ohio winner Scott McLaughlin spun into the gravel in his No. 3 Odyssey Battery Team Penske Chevrolet and continued. Felix Rosenqvist was forced to stop on track due to a mechanical problem in his No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian, adorned with a special livery saluting hard rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and his band Black Sabbath.
Up next is pre-qualifying practice at 10:30 a.m. ET Saturday, followed by NTT P1 Award qualifying at 2:30 p.m. (both sessions FS1, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). The 90-lap race starts at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Just days ago, Gwinn spoke of the pride at leading her team into a major tournament wearing the captain’s armband.
“It’s a great honour for me [and] it makes me really proud,” she told DW.
“Going into a tournament like this is special. I’m feeling very motivated and looking forward to finally getting out onto the pitch.”
But in a cruel twist of fate, the full-back was helped off the pitch following what seems to be a serious injury sustained while making a goal-saving block.
Germany’s skipper put her body on the line to prevent Ewa Pajor from getting a clear shot on goal, hurting herself in the process.
Despite admiral attempts to continue, she was helped off the pitch by physios before the interval.
Not only is she a huge loss of ability on the field for the European giants, her leadership skills will be sorely missed at the back.
The extent of this injury is unknown at this point, though it is particularly brutal for Gwinn, who has missed out on major tournaments previously after sustaining two Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries in her career before.
Fans and teammates alike will be tentatively waiting for updates in the coming days, but such an emotional reaction from the Bayern Munich star could signal the end of her campaign before it has even really started.
Senior official urges boosting sci-tech, industrial innovation toward high-quality development
HEFEI, July 4 — Senior Chinese official Wang Xiaohong has urged efforts to adhere to the new development philosophy, effectively boost sci-tech and industrial innovation, and achieve new results in the country’s high-quality development.
Wang, a member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and state councilor, made the remarks during an investigation and research tour in east China’s Anhui Province between Thursday and Friday.
During the tour, Wang urged efforts to transform and upgrade traditional industries while fostering and expanding emerging industries, and continuously enhance the capability of original innovation.
He also stressed the need to actively develop the low-altitude economy on a safe and secure basis, devise more beneficial policies for the people and enterprises, and ensure law enforcement is carried out in a strict, procedure-based, impartial, and civilized manner.
LONDON (AP) — Nuno Borges had hoped to wear a Diogo Jota soccer jersey onto the court for his match at Wimbledon on Friday, but he settled for a black ribbon on his hat instead.
The All England Club has a strict all-white dress code for players while on court, but permission to wear the ribbon was granted after Jota and his brother were killed in a car crash in Spain.
Family and friends of the Liverpool forward and his brother gathered at a chapel where their bodies were brought for a wake on Friday, a day after the fatal crash.
Borges, who at No. 37 is Portugal’s highest-ranked tennis player, told the PA news agency that his agent contacted Wimbledon about the idea of wearing Jota’s national team jersey as a tribute, but it wasn’t approved. Tournament officials did not immediately comment late Friday.
Borgest lost his third-round match to Karen Khachanov in five sets.
Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon on his left sleeve during a doubles match.
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Swaggering, cocksure and incredibly loud, Oasis burst back on to the live music scene on Friday night with an accomplished – if ever so slightly distanced – debut gig on their reunion world tour.
Playing Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, the six-piece impressed at the start of what is arguably the most anticipated tour of the century, focusing overwhelmingly on songs from their 1990s heyday – only one song, Little By Little, was taken from their final four albums.
For years it looked as if Liam and Noel Gallagher would never patch up their fractious fraternal relationship. A backstage bust-up in 2009 brought Oasis to an end, after a 16-year career in which they became the pre-eminent British rock’n’roll band, and the Gallaghers continued to snipe at each other in the press and social media in the following years – most memorably with Liam dubbing Noel a “potato”. Even when Oasis announced a reunion in August 2024 – “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over” – some fans wondered if another ruction between the brothers would scupper the plans.
But following support slots from Britpop peers Cast and Richard Ashcroft, Oasis did indeed appear, with Liam’s arm around his brother as they stepped out on stage. They kicked straight into gear without a word to the crowd, playing Hello, the song that begins (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, their 18-times platinum album which is outsold in the UK only by Queen and Abba’s greatest hits.
“Because we need each other, we believe in one another”, Noel sang on the second track, Acquiesce: a statement of unity that inspired delirious moshing and crowd surfing. But the actual relations between the Gallaghers were relatively frosty, with little acknowledgment of each other thereafter aside from a brief pat on the back at the end, and original guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs stationed between them on stage.
The Gallaghers were backed by Arthurs, the rhythm guitarist on their era-defining first two albums Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), plus 1997 follow-up Be Here Now, which was less critically acclaimed but still enormous in terms of sound and commercial success. More recently, Arthurs had played with Liam’s solo band.
Arthurs, who was successfully treated for tonsil cancer in 2022, was replaced in Oasis in 1999 by Gem Archer, who also features in the new lineup having played with both Liam and Noel during their solo careers. Andy Bell, the co-founder of Ride – Oasis’s labelmates on Creation Records – and another 1999 Oasis appointee, played bass. The American musician Joey Waronker, known for his work with Beck, REM and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, was on drums, having recently collaborated with Liam Gallagher on his 2024 album with Stone Roses guitarist John Squire.
Noel took the lead on a three-song run of Talk Tonight, Half the World Away and Little By Little – the only post-millennium song, from 2002’s Heathen Chemisty – in the middle of the set, with Liam bringing his trademark sneer and brio back for D’You Know What I Mean?, which led into another Be Here Now song, Stand By Me.
Thereafter it was a return to the middle of the mid-1990s, with one-off singles and B-sides such as Whatever and The Masterplan, and a run of the band’s very biggest hits including Live Forever, Rock ’n’ Roll Star, Don’t Look Back in Anger, Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova.
The latter-day Oasis albums aren’t as well loved as the first three, but they certainly contain songs fans might have expected to hear including Stop Crying Your Heart Out, Lyla, Songbird and Go Let It Out. But there were no curveballs or deep cuts, and Oasis delivered the crowdpleasers most fans were hoping for.
There were also tributes to the late Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota, who died yesterday in a car crash at the age of 28: he was well known to British fans, having won the Premier League and FA Cup with Liverpool. Cast dedicated their own football anthem, Walkaway to him, and an image of Jota was displayed during Oasis’s performance of Live Forever.
For a famously gobby band, there was relatively little stage banter, though Liam beseeched the crowd at one point: “I want you to turn around and put your arms around each other … and jump up and fucking down.”
He also made a brazen reference to the pricing scandal that made headlines when tickets went on sale: a “dynamic pricing” mechanism meant that the popularity of the tickets drove up the cost, prompting anger from fans and promises from culture secretary Lisa Nandy to look into the practice. “What’s happening? Everyone having a good time yeah? Is it worth the £4,000 you paid for a ticket?”, Liam asked the crowd.
Noel meanwhile thanked the band’s younger fans as he began the encore with a rendition of The Masterplan: “This one is for all the people in their 20s who have never seen us before who have kept us shit hot for the last 20 years.”