TORONTO – Admit it, you never thought it would happen. No way the continuallywarring Gallagher brotherswould make it through the first 17 shows in the U.K. and Ireland the past six weeks and arrive in North America without one of them throwing a punch at the other or smashing a guitar in a fit of pique. But age (both are in their 50s), wisdom and the undoubted thrill of knowing that millions of fansoverwhelmed ticketing systemsto try to witness the musical history of anOasis reunioncan soften a bloke's ego. Liam and Noel Gallagher, 16 years removed from what was ostensibly thefinal Oasis gig(following a scuffle between the two Mancunians backstage at a festival in England), have defied the oddsmakers. Oasis Live '25 setlist:All the songs on Britpop band's reunion tour For weeks,Oasiszealots have devoured online videos of the siblings strolling out onstage together, arms raised in victory and hugs brief yet genuine. But witnessing that scene Sunday night, even the most casual fan among a platoon of 50,000 disciples would grin at this once-implausible sight. The Britpop-rock goliaths dropped their Oasis Live '25 Tour intoRogers Stadiumin Toronto for the first of two sold-out nights Sunday, marking the liftoff of a brief North American run that will also hit Chicago, East Rutherford, New Jersey and Pasadena, California, before roaming Mexico, Japan, Australia and South America through November. With Gallagher bandmates Andy Bell (bass), Gem Archer (guitar), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs for the first time since 1998 (guitar) and newcomer Joey Waronker (drums), Oasis sounded crisp, but not rote. They're well-rehearsed, but there is still a, "what will he say now?" possibility whenever a Gallagher steps near a microphone. Liam is one of the most distinctive rock vocalists of the past 30 years, and hearing his nasal tone stretch the syllables to "Morning Glory" and "D'You Know What I Mean?" as he assumed his stance of clasped hands behind his back, chin tilted upward toward the mic, prompted an instant mental time machine. The blueprint for the reunion concert hasn't changed since the July 4 tour launch in Wales, with 23 songs, a stage-length video screen with the Oasis logo perched atop the stage frame and the Gallaghers in their classic attire – a pale blue, button-down worskshirt for Noel and a dark anorak for Liam. The fashion statement of the rangy frontman served a more practical purpose when three-fourths through the two-hour show, a torrent of wind whipped through the stadium, bringing with it a chilly downpour that would last the duration of the concert. "It's only a bit of rain, eh?" Noel commented, while Liam cracked, "Don't you just love it, a little bit of chaos when the weather comes?" The band played on through the sweet "Stand By Me" as colorful cut-outs of couples and friends scrolled behind them and "Whatever," a standalone single from 1994 that shares a spirit with The Beatles' "Octopus' Garden," which Oasis tucked into the melody onstage. Taking a cue from the weather, the band extracted the opening of"Live Forever"for an apt crowd singalong before playing that 1994 anthem of uncharacteristic optimism: "Lately, did you ever feel the pain/in the morning rain/as it soaks you to the bone?" What Oasis has brought with this tour, perhaps inadvertently, is a communal spirit. Liam implored the crowd to turn around and put their arms around their seat neighbor as the band dug into the grungy chorus and T. Rex guitar riffing of"Cigarettes & Alcohol."New best friends were made – at least for 120 minutes on a rainy weekend night – as beers were hoisted and lyrics were shouted. While Oasis never achieved the stratospheric heights in North America as they did the U.K., their fans across the pond loved hard, memorizing every word of not just the deeper-than-you-think"Wonderwall"and dreamy"Champagne Supernova,"but the Noel-fronted "Talk Tonight" and moderate hit "Little By Little." The ability to experience the same dorm room recollections among strangers is a potent exercise facilitated by Oasis' reunion. "It's good to be back," Liam sang with swagger on the set-opening "Hello." It's also good to see you, boys. Opening the North American shows isCage the Elephant,who stormed through a well-received 40-minute set. Their unvarnished alt-rock was led by wild-eyed singer Matt Shultz, a human rubber band who exhausted himself despite his vocals disappearing into the strong breeze. An appreciative Shultz said the band wanted "to celebrate music and life and love … everything that is beautiful," as they dove into "Social Cues," the Stones-y stomp-and-clapper "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" and airy "Shake Me Down." They may not share the British bloodlines of the headliners, but Cage the Elephant is a smart pick to incite energy and prep for history in the making. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Oasis reunion tour finally hits North America: An honest review
