Sawt Falasteen - Oasis fans begin packing arena as 'historic' mega-tour kicks off in UK

Two consecutive nights of concerts in the Welsh capital mark the start of a 41-date run of gigs spanning the world, including in the United States, Japan, Australia and Brazil.

"It's gonna be life-changing," Omar Llamas, 39, who flew in from Mexico for the event, told AFP as he headed inside after the stadium gates opened at 5pm (1600 GMT). Oasis are due on-stage just over three hours later.

"It's just incredible to be here," added 30-year-old compatriot Cynthia Flores. "I'm struggling to find the words!"

Once-warring brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher have put aside their differences for the Oasis Live '25 tour, which will see them next play five hometown gigs in Manchester starting July 11.

Further sold-out British and Irish concerts will follow at London's Wembley Stadium, Edinburgh's Murrayfield and Dublin's Croke Park, before the tour's international leg.

The band's 1990s gigs are the stuff of legend but the chance to see them perform again was long seen as a remote prospect, following one of music's bitterest break-ups.

"I think they're going to be just as awesome," said Cardiff local Aled Williams, 45, as he headed into the arena. He saw them play there twice in the 2000s. "They're better live."

- Carnival atmosphere -

Fans thronging the Welsh capital had travelled from far and wide -- including from across the Americas and various European countries -- to witness what many were calling a "historic moment".

"We've come just for this," said American Mark Cassidy, 31, who flew to Britain with a friend from New York for the opening concert.

"We're super excited -- it's a perfect day for it," he added as they basked in summer sunshine. "We'll have a couple of pints, hang out, and then get in there!"

A carnival-like atmosphere built in central Cardiff on Friday, with hordes of fans decked out in Oasis t-shirts filling the streets as the sound of the band's various hits drifted through the air.

Crowds packing pubs and outdoor terraces also bellowed out the band's anthems, while merchandise stands did a brisk trade.

The tour is expected to be a boon for the struggling UK economy, with fans spending on tickets, transport and accommodation.

"I literally can't wait -- I'm so excited!" Kira, a 25-year-old operations manager from Dundee in Scotland, said after splashing out £130 ($177) at the official merch shop on an Oasis hoodie, poster and t-shirt.

She recounted snagging her two opening night tickets in the frenzied online scramble last summer.

"We were so chuffed," added her friend Kayla. "We also thought hopefully there was less chance of them splitting up by the first night!"

Oasis, famous for hits like "Live Forever" and "Wonderwall", announced the tour last August, days before the 30th anniversary of their debut album "Definitely Maybe".

The Manchester rockers split acrimoniously in 2009.

The brothers maintained a war of words about each other for more than a decade, performing individually over those years but never together.

The chaotic clamour for tickets after their surprise reunion announcement devolved into outrage over sudden price hikes that saw Britain's competition watchdog threaten legal action.

Resale tickets costing thousands of pounds have surfaced, while fans have also been targeted by online scams.

- 'Rough and ready' -

"All that matters is how the people in that stadium feel," Liam Gallagher, 52, said on social media last week, as months of anticipation reach a climax.

Oasis will be supported in the UK by Richard Ashcroft, frontman of British rock band The Verve, as well as 1990s indie band Cast.

The stadium, which has a capacity of 74,500 for concerts, is set to have its roof closed for both nights, with an incredible atmosphere expected.

Oasis reportedly began jamming together months ago, before rehearsing in London more recently.

The band has reportedly welcomed several new members for the tour, including a keyboard player and drummer.

Writing in the tour programme, Noel, 58, reflected on the band's enduring popularity, saying "a new generation recognises how Oasis wasn't manufactured".

"It was chaotic, and flawed, and not technically brilliant. We were rough and ready guys from a rehearsal room, and people recognised it."

C.Hamad--SF-PST