Noel Gallagher once claimed it would take ‘half a billion pounds’ for him to reunite Oasis.
But now, ten years after making that statement, the demand for the band’s comeback has become so financially lucrative that the 57-year-old rocker is finally coming to the table.
Indeed, the Brit pop icons’ return is now closer than ever after Liam, 51, teased an official reunion during his set at Reading Festival last night.
It’s believed a series of late night phone calls between the warring brothers sealed the deal on what would be one of the music events of the decade.
But according to music insiders, the long-running feud between the brothers has only barely simmered and the key fact behind the band’s hotly-anticipated comeback is purely money.
Liam Gallagher teased an official reunion during his set at Reading Festival last night
Noel and Liam Gallagher have not shared the same stage since a backstage fight in 2009
A source told MailOnline: ‘Noel would only ever consider sharing the stage with Liam again if the money was astronomical and that’s what convinced him.
‘They haven’t buried the hatchet and Noel will always have huge reservations about being in a band with Liam as he’s so unpredictable – both on and off stage.
‘Certain conditions will have to be put in place in regards to safeguarding Noel’s presence in this comeback because he really can’t handle Liam’s form for being a liability.
‘But the sums of money being offered will obviously help through any potential ordeals. It’s life changing cash – even for somebody already very rich.’
The Manchester Evening News has reported that tickets could go on sale within the next seven days, and are expected be priced at over the £100 mark.
Liam Gallagher performed a number of Oasis hits during his headline slot at Reading last night
As he closed the set, Liam suggested an announcement could be made on Tuesday at 8am
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds performing in Clarkston, Michigan, on July 6 last year
Music experts believe the Manchester band could earn up to £400million courtesy of a series of comeback gigs, which could include Knebworth and Glastonbury, plus the possibility of a global tour.
Promoters SJM Concerts and Live Nation are believed to be in the running to land the tour.
Liam has been driving the reunion efforts for a number of years and ramped up speculation by dedicating a performance of the band’s hit Half The World Away to his brother during his headline set on Sunday, while also dedicating a rendition of Cigarettes & Alcohol – a song written by Noel from the band’s debut Definitely Maybe – ‘to people who hate Oasis’.
But more tellingly, after the performance Liam suggested an announcement could be made on Tuesday at 8am.
A short clip of a sign in the style of Oasis logo was projected on a large screen above the stage and subsequently shared to Oasis, Noel and Liam’s official Instagram and X accounts.
The white rectangular box with a black block in the centre had the date ‘27.08.24” written in the middle where the band’s name is usually seen. It then flickered and changed to read ‘8am”.
Noel and Liam Gallagher on the ‘Che Tempo Che FA’ TV Programme in Italy in November 2008
Liam and Noel Gallagher, Andy Bell and Gem Archer in 2006 at the Bangkok 100 Rock Festival
The brothers haven’t shared the same stage since 2009 when a backstage fight in Paris led to Noel leaving the band.
They’ve traded insults ever since, Liam typically the most savage having mocked Noel’s ex-wife Sara McDonald, 52, which his brother reacted angrily to.
Indeed, in 2014 during an interview with talkSPORT, Noel uttered the infamous line that it would take ‘half a billion pounds’ to reunite with his brother.
But their fallout has thawed slightly over the past 12 months, as Noel paid tribute to Liam’s success as a solo star, recognising his achievement of selling out stadiums and landing headline sets at festivals.
Last Thursday, a video was released to mark the 30th anniversary of Definitely Maybe and Noel was again unusually complimentary about his little brother.
He said: ‘When I would sing a song, it would sound good. When he sung it, it sounded great.’
Noel added: ‘I can’t sing Cigarettes & Alcohol, Rock’n’Roll Star and all that. I don’t have the same attitude as him. My voice is half a Guinness on a Tuesday – it’s all right. Liam’s is ten shots of tequila on a Friday.’