This week, you might find yourself encountering an oasis in your social media feed: the long-awaited Gallagher brothers' reunion. After 15 years apart, they’re kicking off a UK and Ireland tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Oasis’s debut album, Definitely Maybe, which was released on August 30th. Followed by What’s the Story) Morning Glory? the next year, when their tour is scheduled. But their return isn’t just about the music; it revives the spirit of the Britpop era, the rise of lad culture, and the story of working-class youth. As we look back without any anger, it raises an interesting question after 30 years. How relevant are these elements of the past to today’s generation?
Britpop was a British-based movement from the mid-1990s, defined by catchy alternative rock with melodic hooks and choruses. It emerged as a reaction to the darker lyrical themes and soundscapes of US-led grunge, which many in the UK found hard to relate to. Damon Albarn of Blur famously stated in a 1993 interview, “If punk was about getting rid of hippies, then I’m getting rid of grunge!”
The movement embraced regional accents and working-class culture, with lyrics that referenced British life and often made political statements. Influenced by earlier rock acts like The Beatles (1960s), The Kinks (1960s), Pink Floyd (1970s), The Smiths (1980s), as well as glam rock and punk. Britpop fused rock, pop, and the Madchester sound. Leading bands like Blur, Oasis, Suede, and Pulp sparked a wave of pride in British culture, known as Cool Britannia, which fostered a greater sense of national optimism, especially after the tough years of Thatcherism. Though Britpop was short-lived, its music remains a nostalgic touchstone for millennials and paved the way for a second wave, often called 'post-Britpop,' which featured bands like Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines.
In parallel, a media-driven British-Irish subculture known as lad culture emerged between the 1990s and 2000s. Traditionally seen as a backlash against the second and third waves of feminism and the rise of ‘Girl Power!’ during the 1990s, led by icons like Madonna and the Spice Girls, lad culture grew into a significant phenomenon, especially among youth in English-speaking countries. It became associated with boorish or misogynistic behaviours by young, heterosexual, cisgender men, often in all-male environments, adopting working-class practices. This behaviour included heavy drinking, abuse, assault, sexual harassment, LGBT+phobia, and even racism. Lad culture represents a rebellious attitude against monogamy, marriage, and the traditional family structure.
These elements are central to Oasis’s identity. The Gallagher brothers are often credited with founding "lad rock," a genre designed for and by predominantly white working-class men. Their personas, marked by bold and aggressive behaviours, often mirrored the rough-and-tumble nature of football fans and street brawls.
Women, on the other hand, were often erased from rock 'n' roll history, despite being the wombs of the genre. They were typically portrayed as muses, groupies, or girlfriends. While Oasis had all of these, what set them apart—especially in the male-dominated realm of lad rock—was the presence of a strong group of women working behind the scenes, including their solo mother, Peggy Gallagher. Despite this strong presence of women behind the scenes, Oasis's live audience was predominantly male, although the band did maintain a significant female fanbase. There were also controversial statements, such as Noel’s “no female” rule in his rock ‘n’ roll list.
Ironically, in my Brazilian hometown and social circles during the 2010s, Oasis was not a well-known name. It was more likely to be recognized by music enthusiasts or millennials. I was first introduced to their music by my father and later explored it more deeply thanks to a close friend. Oasis became the soundtrack to many of my teenage memories. However, when I moved to England, I was struck by the band's immense popularity and their presence in football stadiums. While "Wonderwall" was once my anthem, now "Champagne Supernova" seems to be it.
Even though Oasis epitomized the spirit of 1990s working-class youth, their influence remains strong, attracting fans worldwide across generations even after 30 years. Notable for the increase in streaming of their songs. Their music evokes a yearning for escape and offers a vision of potential for young people from similar backgrounds timelessly. Their 2024 resurgence coincides with a period of significant change in Britain, as the country emerges from economic recession and gears up for a new political landscape with Tony Blair's Labour Party poised to take power. The atmosphere is electric with the promise of change and renewed optimism.
And all the roads we have to walk are winding, and all the lights that lead us there are blinding. Today, Generation Z is often derisively labelled as the "snowflake generation," but it’s undeniable how this generation champions minority empowerment and political awareness, as well as the toxic cancel culture. Is there still room for the outdated ideologies associated with Oasis? How many special people change?
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