EVERYONE loves a rock and roll circus, and the best one around rolled into The Point in Dublin last night to the kind of hype not seen in these parts since ... oh, Nirvana at least. Like them or loathe them, you can't deny that Oasis have captured a certain spirit that every ones been trying to get near ever since the Beatles broke up.
The face value of the Oasis tickets, which sold out within 45 minutes of going on sale, was £14.50. But anyone trying to find one afterwards had to pay around £100.
Buy & Sell magazine carried a couple of hundred adverts offering tickets at prices ranging from £50 to £120.
Today's issue of Buy & Sell carries more ads for tickets for tonight's show. One advertiser is seeking £200.
Those who could not get tickets can console themselves with the thought that they should be able to hear the concert in the near future when it is broadcast on 2FM. Last night's concert was taped by a 24 track mobile digital studio, and if the band is happy with the recording, then we'll be able to hear a play back.
Oasis are no Beatles, though the songwriting of Noel Gallagher (and also some of his song titles) owes not a little to the writings of Lennon and McCartaey.
But Oasis are a genuine rock and roll phenomenon, a band for everyone, one everyone can sing along to and whether or not you think the songs are as good as the Beatles songs, there's no doubt that Wonderwall and Don's Look Back in Anger are the kind of songs that can mean something to somebody.
Oasis came on stage at The Point at around 9 p.m. to rapturous applause, sounding every bit the classic rock band and, indeed, carrying that certain arrogance.
The five man line up was augmented by a brass section led by Carl Geraghty from The Commitments and Mary Black's band. The band was also joined by harmonica player Mark Feltham, who played with Rory Gallagher and apparently only plays with Oasis on selected special gigs. So, the lads from Manchester were out to give Ireland a good show.
Oasis have already conquered America, and the album What's The Story (Morning Glory) has reached Number 4 in the Billboard album charts.
