Oasis Slane Castle 2027: Oasis Become the Kings of Slane Castle
After weeks of speculation, Oasis have finally announced their 2027 tour, and Ireland is going to get 2 nights on the banks of the Boyne Valley in Co. Meath, Saturday, 4th September and Sunday, 5th September 2027. And with 2 nights announced, they have already broken a record with the most appearances at the historic venue.
Slane Castle
Slane Castle has welcomed an A-list of rock royalty over the years, starting with Irish rock legends Thin Lizzy back in 1981. Headlining to an audience of approximately 18,000 fans, and featuring a young band called U2 as their support act, Lynott and the boys would set the benchmark for what would follow. Over the years, legends such as Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, The Verve, Guns N' Roses and many more have graced the iconic stage.
It hasn't just been rock and roll that has appeared at Slane Castle, either. Madonna broke that trend when she headlined in 2004, followed by Eminem and Harry Styles. Not exactly rock and roll, perhaps, but big names nonetheless, and a reminder that Slane has become one of the most prestigious outdoor concert venues in Ireland regardless of genre.
And as for Oasis, they have already performed at Slane twice.
Support Act For R.E.M.
Oasis would make their debut at Slane Castle way back in 1995 as the support act to American band R.E.M. At the time, Oasis had released their debut album Definitely Maybe
and were fast becoming one of the biggest rock bands on the planet. Oasis played a blistering 13-song set, heavily rooted in their debut album, but they also used the massive crowd to test-drive unreleased anthems that would go on to define the decade.
Songs such as Roll With It
, Hello
and Don't Look Back in Anger
were completely unknown to the audience at the time. The fans watching on that day had no idea they were getting an early live performance of songs that would feature on the band's soon-to-be-released album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
It was a sign of what was to come. Oasis were still the support act, but they were already showing glimpses of the band they would become.
Return Before The Fall
Following their appearance in 1995, Oasis would release (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
, and with it the band shot to heights of rock 'n' roll fame, excess and controversy. Fourteen years after first appearing at Slane, Oasis would make their second appearance at the castle on 20th June 2009, graduating from the opening act they were in 1995 to the event's main headliners.
The concert drew a massive, sold-out crowd of around 80,000 fans. Oasis were now one of the biggest bands in the world, and their return to Slane was a fitting reminder of just how far they had come since supporting R.E.M.
However, the concert is perhaps most famously remembered for what happened afterwards. It would prove to be Oasis' final concert in Ireland before the band completely imploded and split up just two months later at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.
For Irish fans, that gives the 2009 Slane show an extra place in Oasis history. What was already a huge concert became, in hindsight, the band's final Irish performance before the original Oasis came crashing to an end.
2027 Puts Them Ahead Of U2
For weeks now there have been rumours online regarding Oasis appearing at Slane Castle. In recent days, Oasis themselves have been posting cryptic clues online, leaving fans to guess where the tour would reach. The most recent and final image showed somebody resembling Liam Gallagher with their back to the camera, facing an empty field.
Of course, this got Irish fans excited, especially the keen-eyed among them who noticed the resemblance to a photograph of Oasis appearing at Slane way back in 1995. At that point, the writing was arguably already on the wall.
And so, when the news finally dropped that Oasis are to headline Slane Castle in 2027, it came as little surprise. However, with two dates announced, it isn't just another Oasis gig at Slane. It puts them ahead of U2 for the most appearances at the historic venue.
U2 made their debut at Slane as support to Thin Lizzy back in 1981, before returning for two nights in 2001, giving them a total of three appearances at the venue. Oasis, meanwhile, already have two Slane appearances under their belt, with their 1995 R.E.M. support slot and their 2009 headline performance.
With 2 dates announced for 2027, Oasis will now have 4 appearances at Slane Castle, putting them at the top of the list and making them the new Kings of Slane Castle.
Not bad for a band who first arrived at the venue as a support act.
Go to Oasis offical website and register for tickets before release date.
Photo Credit: Public Domain
