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Since his very first film mission in 1962, Britain’s suavest and most famous secret agent has officially brought the fast cars, the gadgets and the death-defying stunts to the big screen no less than 25 times.

James Bond is one of the highest-grossing and most popular media franchises of all time – so after several delays, caused by the pandemic as well as other issues, anticipation has reached fever-pitch for the spy’s latest outing, No Time To Die.

It started with the late, great Sean Connery, with George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan all filling 007’s shoes before the incumbent Daniel Craig took over in 2006. (Of course there was David Niven’s Casino Royale spoof in 1967 and Connery’s Never Say Never Again in 1983, too, but as fans will tell you, they were not made by Bond producers Eon, so we’ll count them out).

After No Time To Die, Craig is set to bow out and pass the instructions for the perfect vodka martini over once again.

There has already been lots of speculation about who will play the next Bond – Idris Elba? Tom Hardy? Tom Hiddleston? A – gasp – woman? But that can wait. Here’s a look back at all the films, right from the beginning – the best place to start a James Bondathon. Because nobody does it better…

Dr No (1962)

DR.NO 1962 United Artists film with Sean Connery and Ursula Andress

Bond author Ian Fleming was initially resistant to the casting of Connery as the MI6 agent, describing him as an “overgrown stuntman” who was not refined enough for the role. However, he was later so impressed with his performance that he created a Scottish ancestry for the character in subsequent books. The first film sees Bond in Jamaica investigating the suspected murder of a fellow agent, famously encountering Ursula Andress’s Honey Ryder emerging from the sea in a white bikini during his quest to track down the evil Dr No – who plans to sabotage the US space programme. Spoiler alert: Bond outwits his opponent and rescues the girl – a screen hero is born.

From Russia With Love (1963)

FILM STILLS OF 'FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE' WITH 1963, DANIELA BIANCHI, SEAN CONNERY, SEAN AS "JAMES BOND" CONNERY, JAMES BOND, TERENCE YOUNG IN 1963

 Bond25

The one with the fight scene on the train. No, not that fight scene on the train, with Roger Moore’s Bond and Jaws, the other one. Connery’s train fight scene saw Bond grappling with Red Grant (played by Robert Shaw) and seemed darker and grittier than many of the films that followed. The baddies also included Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) and her lethal knife shoe – spoofed in the Austin Powers films by the character of Frau Farbissina.

Goldfinger (1964)

Goldfinger (James Bond), Gert Frobe, Sean Connery

1964

The gadget-filled Aston Martin DB5! Oddjob’s lethal bowler hat! Death by gold paint! Bond escaping castration by laser beam! Pussy Galore! Shirley Bassey starting the trend for killer theme songs! For these reasons and more, Goldfinger is widely considered to be up there among the best Bonds. “No, Mr Bond. I expect you to die,” is the famous line from Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) during that stressful laser-beam scene. Fortunately, 007 managed to find a way out of it.

Thunderball (1965)

Thunderball - 1965
Sean Connery, Claudine Auger

Sorry Tom Jones, Bassey was always going to be a tough act to follow and your Thunderball just doesn’t compare with the woman with the Midas touch. Still, the film was decent. Bond fact: some 25% of Thunderball screen time takes place underwater, according to the official 007 website. It was billed as the “biggest Bond of all” and it’s certainly quite spectacular: there are spearguns and sharks and a jetpack, which is surely up there with Bond’s greatest ever gadgets? A deserved Oscar for special effect supervisor John Stears.

You Only Live Twice (1967)

You Only Live Twice - 1967
Sean Connery

Bond is assassinated by Chinese agents in Hong Kong! Don’t worry, it’s all been faked so that 007 can travel incognito to investigate the hijacking of American and Russian spacecraft. Of course it has! In You Only Live Twice, we got to see the face of cat-stroking master villain Blofeld, the Spectre chief played by Donald Pleasence, for the first time, and it’s also the one with the piranhas and the volcanic lair. Bond notes: the screenplay for You Only Live Twice was adapted from the Ian Fleming novel, although disregarded most of the plot, by none other than Roald Dahl. Also, this one was back to form with the theme song, thanks to Nancy Sinatra and those opening strings (nicked by Robbie Williams for his 1998 chart-topping hit, Millenium).

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

On Her Majesty's Secret Service - 1969
George Lazenby

After five films, Connery said he was feeling the pressure and Bond duties were taken over for one film only by the little known Australian actor George Lazenby. The film sees Bond hunting his old foe Blofeld, and is memorable for its ski chase scenes. Also starring the late Diana Rigg as Tracy (aka the Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo) – the only woman ever to get ladies man Bond to the altar. Sadly, they didn’t get a happy ending. Lazenby was reportedly made to do a retake of the scene, without tears. Because James Bond doesn’t cry.

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Diamonds Are Forever - 1971
Sean Connery

Connery was enticed back to the franchise, reportedly with a fee of £1.25 million (about £16-£18 million today, adjusting for inflation), and Bassey was back too for her second blistering theme song. This time, Bond impersonates a diamond smuggler in an investigation which leads him to Blofeld once again, in a film that was a little sillier than his previous outings. While the film was a commercial success, later reviews criticised its portrayal of gay assassins Wint and Kidd, and for not making more of the female characters.

Live And Let Die (1973)

Live and Let Die - 1973
Jane Seymour, Roger Moore

1973

One of the best 007 theme songs, thanks to Paul McCartney and Wings, ushered in the Roger Moore era – and the Bond eyebrow. Live And Let Die is the one with the crocodile stepping stones and Jane Seymour’s tarot reader Solitaire, plus Yaphet Kotto as baddie Dr Kananga and his alter-ego Mr Big, the franchise’s first black antagonist. It was a departure from powerful megalomaniac villains to drug-trafficking and voodoo, and while it had all the classic Bond elements of danger and seduction, watching through the lens of 2021 it’s hard to ignore the film’s derogatory clichés.

The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)

The Man With The Golden Gun (James Bond), Christopher Lee, Roger Moore

1974

The MI6 agent is sent a gold bullet inscribed with 007, a warning that he has been targeted by professional assassin Scaramanga – the man with the golden gun and the third nipple, played by Christopher Lee (a step-cousin of Ian Fleming). Moore’s second outing as Bond sees him determined to track down the killer, travelling to a remote island by seaplane accompanied by assistant Mary Goodnight (Britt Ekland). There’s a battle to retrieve a solex agitator (us neither), some martial arts thrown in for good measure, and a corkscrew car jump from a rickety bridge that was apparently pulled off in one take. Hervé Villechaize is particularly memorable as henchman Nick Nack.

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

The Spy Who Loved Me - 1977
Roger Moore, Richard Kiel

1977

Another famous Bond train fight scene, this time with henchman Jaws (Richard Kiel) and his famous metal teeth, plus more ski stunts involving a ski pole gun AND a Union Jack parachute. Oh, and there’s also the Lotus Esprit that transformed into a submarine, complete with underwater rockets. The Spy Who Loved Me also provided one of the better Bond theme songs, courtesy of Carly Simon and Nobody Does It Better. Once declared “the greatest film ever made” – not our words, the words of Alan Partridge – it’s a favourite of many Bond aficionados, especially fans of Moore.

Moonraker (1979)

Moonraker (1979)

1979

Not a critics’ or fan favourite this one, with a plot involving a hijacked space shuttle and a quest that takes Bond from Venice to Brazil to destroy a highly toxic nerve gas. Bassey returned for the theme song once again but this one doesn’t live up to Goldfinger or Diamonds – sorry, Shirl. There was also a return for Jaws (guess who’s dropped in for a bite, teases the trailer) – and a tense fight scene on a cable car that looks like it could do with a health and safety check, set against the impressive backdrop of Rio de Janeiro’s Sugarloaf Mountain.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

For Your Eyes Only (James Bond), Cassandra Harris, Roger Moore

Moviestore/Shutterstock

Back from space and a return to slightly more serious Bond, with Moore’s 007 sent to retrieve the Automatic Targeting Attack communicator (ATAC; see what they did there?) from a sunken spy ship. This mission leads him from Spain to Italy to Corfu, in a race against the Russians, with helicopter stunts and a brush with sharks thrown in the mix – all in a day’s work for Bond, who’s also wooing Chanel model Carole Bouquet’s Melina Havelock, the daughter of the murdered marine archaeologist whose killer he is trying to track down. Keep up.

Octopussy (1983)

  .Roger Moore. Octopussy - 1983.

Moore’s penultimate outing as 007 saw him disguised as a clown, a gorilla and a crocodile. Yes, a crocodile. Well, a submarine disguised as a crocodile. Octopussy has everything, boasts the trailer, as the Taj Mahal comes into view: “Elegant palaces and beautiful women.” Not sure the modern-day Bond would get away with that. Octopussy is the Bond with the faberge eggs, former tennis pro Vijay Armitraj, and Maud Adams – who first appeared in Man With The Golden Gun – returning to play the eponymous Octopussy. Plus, twin villains and a stunt involving a small plane flying through a hangar.

A View To A Kill (1985)

A View To A Kill - 1985
Roger Moore

1985

Grace Jones and Christopher Walken brought two brilliant villains to the screen, while Duran Duran brought the ’80s cheese to the soundtrack. Walken plays Max Zorin, the man who wants to destroy Silicon Valley, while Jones is bodyguard May Day. Moore’s last hurrah, A View To A Kill includes the killer fight scene on top of the Golden Gate Bridge, plus more skiing and snowboarding, too – apparently this was the sport’s debut appearance in a major feature film.

The Living Daylights (1987)

 Kell Tyler, Timothy Dalton. The Living Daylights - 1987

Timothy Dalton stepped into the tux to usher in a more serious era for Bond, but perhaps Dalton took it a little too seriously. The Living Daylights had less silliness and far less womanising, but still some impressive action scenes – with a particularly impressive stunt on a cargo plane flying over a desert with a bomb on board, as well as an escape by cello case down a snowy mountainside.

Licence To Kill (1989)

Licence To Kill - 1989
Carey Lowell, Desmond Llewelyn, Timothy Dalton

Bond goes rogue, out for revenge and tracking down the drugs baron who fed his agent friend Felix Leiter to the sharks. This was the final Bond outing produced by Cubby Broccoli and also the fifth and final film directed by John Glen, and the first not to make use of an Ian Fleming story. Dalton took on many of the stunts himself – including running from an exploding tanker – but it wasn’t enough to keep his licence to kill.

GoldenEye (1995)

Goldeneye - 1995
Sean Bean, Brosnan Pierce

After a six-year break, Bond was back! This time with Pierce Brosnan, a man who looks like he was born to be Bond. GoldenEye began the Brosnanaissance with a death-defying dam bungee jump, with stuntman Wayne Michaels later saying in an interview that there “was a trauma clinic ready and an emergency helicopter to rush me to hospital” in case things went wrong. Gulp. Judi Dench also entered the franchise as the first female M – calling out 007 out as a “sexist, misogynist dinosaur” – and baddies came courtesy of Sean Bean and Famke Janssen. It was the first Bond to use CGI, moving the action firmly into the 1990s. And Tina Turner provided the pipes for for another memorable theme song.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Tomorrow Never Dies - 1997
Pierce Brosnan, Michelle Yeoh

“Let the mayhem begin.” Jonathan Pryce is the fictional British media baron baddie Eliot Carver, Bond’s main nemesis in Tomorrow Never Dies. Carver wants to start a war between Britain and China, and Bond has 48 hours to sort it out. Michelle Yeoh plays a Bond ally, and performed most of her own stunts – making her more of an equal match than previous female characters – while Teri Hatcher appeared as Carver’s wife. Notable action scenes included an impressive helicopter-motorcycle chase.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

BROSNAN,MARCEAU, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, 1999 
Alamy

It opens with the longest pre-credit sequence in 007 history, lasting 14 minutes, with a scene including Bond in high-speed pursuit down the Thames – complete with a mid-air barrel roll, a hot air balloon and the yet to be opened Millennium Dome in the background. Denise Richards as nuclear physicist Christmas Jones didn’t make for the most critically acclaimed Bond girl performance, and many reviews felt The World Is Not Enough did not make enough of Robert Carlyle as terrorist Victor “Renard” Zokas. On the upside, alternative rock band Garbage (Stupid Girl, Only Happy When It Rains) were a curveball but great choice for the theme song.

Die Another Day (2002)

Die Another Day - 2002
Halle Berry, Pierce Brosnan

The invisibility cloak might have worked for Harry Potter, but the invisible car was perhaps a step too far for James Bond. Everyone likes a 007 gadget, of course, but it all started to feel like the film was relying far too heavily on the tech trickery. The plot involves Bond getting captured in North Korea by a colonel trading weapons for blood diamonds, who is later revealed to be operating as another baddie, having completely changed his appearance using gene therapy. Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike also star, while Madonna makes a much-panned cameo as a fencing instructor – obviously working some screen time into the contract when she got the gig to perform the theme song.

Casino Royale (2006)

Casino Royale - 2006
Daniel Craig

Bond is blonde! Even this was a talking point at the time, imagine what will happen if they really do cast a woman as the next one! Needless to say, Craig proved any detractors wrong. In a comeback influenced by the Bourne series, the Layer Cake actor ushered in a much grittier era of Bond, while also getting to do his best Ursula Andress impression, emerging from the sea in his trunks. Craig was everything you want Bond to be – cool but bad-ass with a sense of irony – but also made the character feel more real. He even fell in love, with Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd. No spoilers on that one here. Sob.

Quantum Of Solace (2008)

Quantum Of Solace - 2008
Jesper Christensen, Daniel Craig

Picking up just 10 minutes after the end of Casino Royale, Bond was in revenge mode as he quickly uncovered the sinister Quantum, an organisation with double agents in the UK and the US. Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalri and Gemma Arterton also starred, while Jack White and Alicia Keys joined forces for the Another Way To Die theme tune (they obviously decided that singing actual lyrics about Quantum Of Solace wouldn’t work, which was a good call). It’s fair to say this wasn’t as well received as Craig’s debut, but still cleaned up at the box office.

Skyfall (2012)

Skyfall - 2012
Skyfall - Daniel Craig

Even with adjustments for inflation, this one is the highest-grossing Bond of all time. For the first time in 007 history, Skyfall gave viewers something of the agent’s origin story and background on his relationship with Dench’s M. But when you get that emotion you know something’s going to end badly… Elsewhere, Javier Bardem’s Silva made for a memorable Bond villain, and the theme song? Well, when you get Adele on board you know you’re getting a stonker (and an Oscar-winner).

Spectre (2015)

Spectre - 2015
Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux

Spectre fact: it includes a Guinness World Record for the largest on screen explosion (of Blofeld’s lair), according to the official 007 site. But before that, it starts with a shoot-out in Mexico City, and an impressive pre-title sequence based around the country’s Day Of The Dead celebrations which culminates in a knuckle-biting helicopter fight scene. Also starring Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux, who returns as psychologist and love interest Madeleine Swann in No Time To Die. Have we finally entered the era of Monogamous Bond?

No Time To Die (2021)

Daniel Craig as James Bond in No Time To Die. Pic: Nicola Dove

Craig’s last outing coupled with all the delays means there is a lot of hype around this one. Will it live up to it? We know to expect changes, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge brought on board for scriptwriting to help modernise, well, the “sexist, misogynist dinosaur” image. And as Bond has left active service – he’s enjoying a more tranquil life in Jamaica, because even secret agents need a break – there’s a new 007 in town, which has generated more than a few headlines. You can’t replace Bond! With a woman! Nomi, played by Lashana Lynch, took the title when Bond left MI6, which seems fair enough. But what does this mean for Bond? We’ll have to wait for answers to that one, but there is a mission, of course – he’s sent to rescue a kidnapped scientist, and has new villain Safin (played by Rami Malek) to contend with. At two hours and 43 minutes, it’s the longest Bond film ever, so expect maximum stunts – and maximum Daniel Craig. Hopefully he’ll be going out in style.

The premiere of No Time To Die will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 28 September, with the general release two days later

Photo credits: Rex/ Shutterstock/ Moviestore/ Alamy/ Eon/ Nicola Dove

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Ozzy Osbourne reunites with Black Sabbath for ‘final bow’ in emotional metal goodbye

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Ozzy Osbourne reunites with Black Sabbath for 'final bow' in emotional metal goodbye

Ozzy Osbourne has reunited with Black Sabbath and performed his final gig – telling fans “you’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart”, in an emotional but truly metal goodbye.

Announced earlier this year, Back To The Beginning at Villa Park stadium was billed as the “final bow” for the man revered as a founder of heavy metal after several years of health problems, including Parkinson’s disease.

Rising up on a black throne featuring jewelled skulls, the 76-year-old performed a solo set before being joined by his original bandmates – Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – for Black Sabbath’s first performance in 20 years.

“Let the madness begin,” Osbourne cried as he appeared for the first time, telling about 40,000 fans: “It’s so good to be on this stage.”

Ozzy smiles and waves his arms. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image:
Ozzy smiles and waves his arms. Pic: Ross Halfin

Ozzy Osbourne sings while sitting on a black throne
Image:
Ozzy Osbourne sings while sitting on a black throne

With the crowd chanting his name, he performed both sets sitting down, but the voice and the crazed glint in his eyes were there almost throughout.

Singing fan favourites including Mr Crowley and Crazy Train, and Iron Man and Paranoid with Black Sabbath, Osbourne conducted the crowd to sing “louder, louder”, and “go f****** crazy”.

This was an orchestrated exit by heavy metal’s biggest character, with a supporting line-up of hard rock luminaries – from Slayer and Halestorm to Metallica and Guns ‘n’ Roses, plus stars including Steven Tyler, Ronnie Wood, Yungblud, Travis Barker and Chad Smith, who showed up for “supergroup” performances.

More on Ozzy Osbourne

Many said they would not be the musicians they are without Osbourne and Black Sabbath.

Ronnie Wood. Pic: Ross Halfin
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Ronnie Wood was among the hard rock luminaries in the line-up. Pic: Ross Halfin

Steven Tyler. Pic: Ross Halfin
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Stars at the concert included Steven Tyler. Pic: Ross Halfin

“You know, there’s not another guy as respected in metal as Ozzy Osbourne,” former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar told Sky News just ahead of his performance. “And for him to be sick and to be saying, I’m out, I’m done. Man. There’s no one else that can replace that.”

“Without Sabbath, there would be no Metallica,” said frontman James Hetfield during their performance.

“We’re not here to say goodbye,” said Anthrax’s Scott Ian. “We’re just here to say thank you.”

Throughout the day, giant Ozzy and Black Sabbath beach balls, in the Aston Villa claret and blue, were bounced around a jubilant crowd.

Tributes from other celebrity friends and fans, from Billy Idol and Ricky Gervais to Dolly Parton and Sir Elton John, were played on screen.

Read more: From Black Sabbath’s Prince of Darkness to reality TV star

Metallica frontman James Hetfield. Pic: Ross Halfin
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Metallica frontman James Hetfield during the show. Pic: Ross Halfin

Yungblud at the concert. Pic: Kazuyo Horie
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Yungblud also performed. Pic: Kazuyo Horie

Hollywood actor Jason Momoa, who hosted the event, told the crowd heavy metal had been a “safehaven” for many growing up, and Black Sabbath’s music had “influenced and inspired musicians” of all eras and genres.

The farewell show was the idea of Osbourne’s wife, Sharon – one final gig to finish his performing career on a high – after he was forced to cancel shows he had planned in 2023, telling fans he “never imagined” his touring days would end that way.

Sharon Osbourne told Sky News earlier this year that his one regret was not being able to say a thank you to his fans, and so the idea for the reunion gig was born.

Profits from the show will be shared between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn’s Children’s Hospice.

Confetti rained down on fans during the show
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Confetti rained down on fans during the show

The gig came after the Black Sabbath band members were awarded the freedom of Birmingham earlier in June, recognised for their significance to the cultural and musical identity of the city they grew up in.

The group formed in 1968 and went on to become one of the most successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide over the years.

They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 – Osbourne again later as a solo artist last year – and awarded a lifetime Ivor Novello songwriting award in 2015. In 2019, they were presented with a Grammy lifetime achievement prize.

Back To The Beginning's all star line-up. Pic: Ross Halfin
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Back To The Beginning’s all star line-up. Pic: Ross Halfin

Now, their first performance in 20 years will also be their last – one for the metal history books.

The show ended with fireworks and a roar from the crowd, who had chanted Ozzy’s name throughout.

For fans, Back To The Beginning capped it all – the ultimate rock and metal line-up, and one last opportunity to show their love for the Prince of Darkness.

“I feel lucky to be able to attend this,” said Calum Kennedy, 19, from Dunfermline. “It’s the biggest metal show known to man, [the biggest line-up] ever. I’ve never seen anything better.”

Ozzy wore a shiny black jacket and a gold armband bearing his name. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image:
Ozzy wore a shiny black jacket and a gold armband bearing his name. Pic: Ross Halfin

Read more from Sky News:
Oasis reunion: Ultimately, it was all about the music
BBC to stop showing ‘high risk’ performances live

Ben Sutton, 24, from Chester, added: “I feel like it’s important – we’re of the younger generation – for us to see some of the heritage and history of the genre we love, metal in general. It’s such an honour to say goodbye to him.”

Steve Townson, from Lincolnshire, said: “I saw him the first time round and the fact that he’s still going is incredible, isn’t it? I was there at the start, I’m happy to be here at the end.”

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Oasis reunion: A high-five and a hug – the gestures were there, but ultimately it was all about the music

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Oasis reunion: A high-five and a hug - the gestures were there, but ultimately it was all about the music

Oasis have reunited on stage for the first time in almost 16 years – with brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher sharing a high five and the briefest of hugs as they closed a performance that for fans was more than worth the wait.

After the split in 2009, for many years Noel said he would never go back – and for a long time, as the brothers exchanged insults through separate interviews (and on social media, for Liam), it seemed pretty unlikely to ever happen.

But now, here they are. As they walked out on stage at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, all eyes were on the Gallaghers for a sense of their relationship – dare we say it, friendship? – now after all these years.

As it happened: How Oasis’s first gig together in 16 years unfolded

There was no reference to their fall-out or making up, but the gestures were there – lifting hands together as they walked out for the first time.

The headline "OASIS REUNITED" was shown on stage at the gig. Pic: PA
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The headline “OASIS REUNITED” was shown on stage at the gig. Pic: PA

Fans at the Oasis gig. Pic: PA
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Fans at the Oasis gig. Pic: PA

Headlines and tweets of speculation and then confirmation of the reunion filled the screens as the show started. “This is happening,” said one, repeatedly.

In the end, it was all about the music.

More on Oasis

Liam has received criticism in the past for his voice not being what it once was, but back on stage with his brother tonight he delivered exactly what fans would have hoped for – a raw, steely-eyed performance, snarling vocals, and the swagger that makes him arguably the greatest frontman of his day.

This was Oasis sounding almost as good as they ever have.

Fans sang along and held up their phones to film as Oasis performed. Pic: PA
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Fans sang along and held up their phones to film as Oasis performed. Pic: PA

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Oasis: ‘It’s good to be back’

They opened with Hello, because of course, “it’s good to be back”. And then Acquiesce, and those lyrics: “Because we need each other/ We believe in one another.”

The song is said to be about friendship in the wider sense, rather than their brotherly bond and sibling rivalry, but you can’t help but feel like it means something here.

Over two hours, they played favourite after favourite – including Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Supersonic and Roll With It.

Liam Gallagher as Oasis takes to the stage in Cardiff. Pic: PA
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Liam Gallagher as Oasis takes to the stage in Cardiff. Pic: PA

In the mid-section, Liam takes his break for Noel to sing Talk Tonight, Half The World Away and Little By Little; the tempo slows but there is by no means a lull, with the fans singing all his words back to him.

Liam returns for hits including Stand By Me, Slide Away, Whatever and Live Forever, before sending the crowd wild (or even wilder) with Rock And Roll Star.

Noel Gallagher performing on stage. Pic: PA
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Noel Gallagher performing on stage. Pic: PA

An Oasis fan is pointing at the stage during the gig. Pic: PA
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An Oasis fan is pointing at the stage during the gig. Pic: PA

When the reunion announcement was made last summer, it quickly became overshadowed by the controversy of dynamic pricing causing prices to rocket. As he has done on X before, Liam addressed the issue on stage with a joke.

“Was it worth the £4,000 you paid for the ticket?” he shouted at one point. “Yeah,” the crowd shouts back; seemingly all is forgiven.

After Rock And Roll Star, the dream that very quickly became a reality for this band, Noel introduced the rest of the group, calling Bonehead a “legend”.

Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs of Oasis. Pic: PA
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Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs of Oasis. Pic: PA

Liam Gallagher carried a tambourine in his mouth during the concert. Pic: PA
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Liam Gallagher carried a tambourine in his mouth during the concert. Pic: PA

Then he acknowledges all their young fans, some who maybe weren’t even born when they split. “This one is for all the people in their 20s who’ve never seen us before, who’ve kept this shit going,” he says before the encore starts with The Masterplan.

Noel follows with Don’t Look Back In Anger, and the screens fill with Manchester bees in reference to the arena bombing and how the song became the sound of hope and defiance for the city afterwards.

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‘I’d have paid £10,000 to see them’

Two fans sat on their friends' shoulders as Oasis performed. Pic: PA
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Two fans sat on their friends’ shoulders as Oasis performed. Pic: PA

During Wonderwall, there’s a nice touch as Liam sings to the crowd: “There are many things I would like to say to you, but I don’t speak Welsh.”

It is at the end of Champagne Supernova, which closes the set, that it happens; Noel puts down his guitar, and they come together for a high-five and a back-slap, a blink-and-you’d miss it hug.

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What fans thought of band’s comeback

Read more:
What you need to know about the Oasis tour
Liam Gallagher hits out at council after fans branded ‘rowdy’

“Right then, beautiful people, this is it,” Liam had told the crowd as he introduced the song just a few minutes earlier. “Nice one for putting up with us over the years.”

From the roar of the audience, it’s safe to say most people here would agree it’s been worth it.

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Oasis tour: What you need to know – and why Cardiff is the first stop

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Oasis tour: What you need to know - and why Cardiff is the first stop

Oasis are set to kick off their reunion tour in Cardiff this weekend, with thousands expected to descend on the Welsh capital.

The 41-date Oasis Live 25 tour begins in the city on Friday and Saturday, amid warnings for people to plan ahead before they travel.

The Gallagher brothers’ last performance together was in 2009, and the tour sold out within hours of its announcement last August, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the reunion.

But where is the tour heading – and why was Cardiff chosen as the city where the brothers will perform for the first time together in almost 16 years?

When does the tour start and where is it heading?

After Cardiff, Oasis will go on to perform at Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin on their UK and Ireland leg of the tour.

See below for a full list of tour dates:

More on Cardiff

Oasis tour dates

  • Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales – Friday 4 July
  • Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales – Saturday 5 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Friday 11 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Saturday 12 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Wednesday 16 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Saturday 19 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Sunday 20 July
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Friday 25 July
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Saturday 26 July
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Wednesday 30 July
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Saturday 2 August
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Sunday 3 August
  • Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland – Friday 8 August
  • Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland – Saturday 9 August
  • Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland – Tuesday 12 August
  • Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland – Saturday 16 August
  • Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland – Sunday 17 August
  • Toronto, Canada – Sunday 24 August
  • Toronto, Canada – Monday 25 August
  • Chicago, USA – Thursday 28 August
  • East Rutherford, USA – Sunday 31 August
  • East Rutherford, USA – Monday 1 September
  • Los Angeles, USA – Saturday 6 September
  • Los Angeles, USA – Sunday 7 September
  • Mexico City, Mexico – Friday 12 September
  • Mexico City, Mexico – Saturday 13 September
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Saturday 27 September
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Sunday 28 September
  • Seoul, South Korea – Tuesday 21 October
  • Tokyo, Japan – Saturday 25 October
  • Tokyo, Japan – Sunday 26 October
  • Melbourne, Australia – Friday 31 October
  • Melbourne, Australia – Saturday 1 November
  • Melbourne, Australia – Tuesday 4 November
  • Sydney, Australia – Friday 7 November
  • Sydney, Australia – Saturday 8 November
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina – Saturday 15 November
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina – Sunday 16 November
  • Santiago, Chile – Wednesday 19 November
  • São Paulo, Brazil – Saturday 22 November
  • São Paulo, Brazil – Sunday 23 November
Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Pic: PA
Image:
Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Pic: PA

Why was Cardiff picked as the first stop?

Asked on X in May why Cardiff was chosen as the location for the opening leg, Liam Gallagher said “because Cardiff is the bollox”.

Principality Stadium is a 74,500-seat venue, known as the home of Welsh rugby, which played host to Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift concerts last year.

Businesses in the area are hoping the arrival of Oasis will bring an influx of trade to the city.

Gary Corp, manager of the City Arms, told Sky News that he was expecting the concert would “treble if not quadruple the footfall on the street”.

Meanwhile, Ethan John, events manager at Tiny Rebel, said Oasis choosing Cardiff to kick off their tour was “surreal” and that previous events such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour had a “massive impact” on footfall.

What travel advice is there in Cardiff?

Train operators say trains will be busy and people should allow plenty of time for their journey home.

Georgie Wills, from Transport for Wales, said the company was “thrilled to welcome thousands to Cardiff this summer”.

“Look out for our queuing systems and travel tips – and let’s make it a safe and smooth experience for everyone,” she added.

Cardiff Council has confirmed that roads around the stadium will close from 12pm until 12am on both Friday and Saturday.

The road closures come into force three hours earlier than is planned for upcoming Stereophonics, Kendrick Lamar and Catfish and the Bottlemen concerts later this summer.

The Cardiff Bus Interchange will close at 3pm and Cardiff Queen Street railway station will close at 10pm (apart from accessible travel or journeys to Cardiff Bay).

Liam Gallagher (left) and Noel Gallagher (right). Pic: PA.
Image:
Liam Gallagher (left) and Noel Gallagher (right). Pic: PA

What time does the show start and who are the support acts?

Principality Stadium’s doors open at 5pm on both Friday and Saturday.

The band will be supported by indie rock band Cast and Richard Ashcroft (who formed alternative rock band the Verve) in Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin.

Cast start their Cardiff set at 6pm, followed by Richard Ashcroft at 7pm.

Oasis will take to the stage at 8.15pm, and should finish by 10.30pm.

American rock band Cage the Elephant will support Oasis in Canada, Mexico and at the Chicago gig.

They will be joined again by Cast for the East Rutherford and Pasadena dates.

Australian indie rock band Ball Park Music will support in Australia.

Are tickets still available for the shows?

The tour is sold out, but the band has said it is possible some additional tickets may be released.

In an Instagram post on 25 June, the band advised members of Oasismynet to “keep an eye” on their inbox.

The final releases would come “over the coming days” once production was “fine tuned”, the band said.

Read more from Sky News:
The Gallagher brothers back together
The story of the rock ‘n’ roll brothers so far

What’s the weather going to be like?

Cardiff is set to be cloudy with sunny intervals on Friday afternoon, with highs of 21C and lows of 15C.

On Saturday, however, it will be slightly cooler with light rain during the afternoon, before clearing up in the evening.

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