Oasis, the reunion: the monetization of nostalgia

Pounds win over past resentment. There is nothing wrong with that. On the contrarythe “monetization of nostalgia” is one of the big trends that has been sweeping the music world for a while now. There is a hilarious video, made by comedian Antonio Ornano, in which he explains that Oasis fans should warmly thank Noel’s ex-wife, Sara MacDonaldfor having set up last year a divorce of over 20 million eurosthis is the amount that the ex-husband owes to his second wife. A blow to the rock star’s assets. Did this also influence Noel’s choice to reunite with his brother Liam? Ornano, obviously, jokes and makes fun of it. Meanwhile, for Oasis, fresh from the announcement of their reunion, Birmingham City University, through a study, has already done the math.

The University explains that, although both Gallagher brothers have launched solo careers since their split in 2009, nothing they have done on the business front comes close to the kind of financial figures they will earn with the 14 dates in 2025. An analysis, so far, that is quite obvious. But when it comes to the earnings, the eyes start to widen: the initial 14 dates could bring in £400m in ticket sales and other extras, with Liam and Noel both vying to take home £50m each.. Matt Grimes, director of the Music Economics degree programme at Birmingham City University, said the brothers could even double their net worth in a few weeks thanks to this reunion. “They are thinking of going to Europe as well, so they could earn even more,” he said. Although ticket prices have not yet been revealed, pBefore they go on sale this Friday, the University is counting on the fact that they will be increased tenfold compared to to 1995, when tickets cost £14 for their UK tour.

“Despite breaking up 15 years ago, Oasis as an entity has never gone away. The Gallagher brothers’ private lives have kept them in the tabloid press, while The anniversary releases of their various albums have ensured that their music continues to have a second life on streaming services”, it is explained. Here is the nostalgia that makes earnings soar: to keep it alive, in 2016, also the successful documentary “Supersonic”, which sparked interest in the group from older fans who lived through the original Oasis era, but also from younger audiences in love with the music and the turbulent rockstar adventures of the two knife-brothers. Eamonn Forde, a writer and author of several economic essays, says that Oasis have occupied a unique place in British culture. “They have always been there,” says Forde. they can almost be compared to Abba or the Beatlesthere’s always something happening to remember them and to attract new listeners. They’ve never monetized that nostalgia on this scale. PThey will probably make more money from these concerts than they did in the entire 90’s.“. There is another amusing fact linked to this reunion: the bookmakers, knowing the historical arguments between the two, They are offering 4/1 odds for Oasis to split before the end of the tour. And a thought, perhaps even a hug, goes to whoever drew up the contract for this return between clauses and penalties.