What Was the Worst Oasis Gig Ever? Noel Gallagher Explains Wembley 2000

Why Wembley 2000 Became Oasis' Infamous Low Point

Noel Gallagher, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has never hesitated to voice his criticisms, and one concert stands out to him as a particularly low point in his career.

The second night of Oasis' performances at Wembley in July 2000, which was set to be both a live album recording and a television broadcast, quickly spiraled into chaos. Frontman Liam Gallagher, visibly inebriated, delivered a disjointed performance, slurring lyrics and veering off-script, accompanied by expletive-laden rants between songs.

Noel's take on the wembley 2000 gig

Reflecting on the gig in a interview with Radio X, Noel candidly described that night as

“the low point in Oasis.”

He recounted it as

“a horrible two-and-a-half hours on stage,”

Further bluntly stating that

“Liam can hang his head in shame. It was dreadful.”

Fans witnessed botched versions of classic tracks like Supersonic, Roll With It, and Cigarettes and Alcohol. In an particularly awkward moment, Liam invited a woman to expose herself on the venue's giant screens and made slurred comments about his personal life, notably referencing his breakup with actress Patsy Kensit.

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Though the intention was to produce a polished live album, the band's release titled Familiar to Millions ultimately captured the tumultuous essence of that night. To salvage the recordings, edited vocals and studio overdubs were utilized, yet the unfiltered footage from the concert remains widely disseminated online.

In the years since, Liam has acknowledged that this performance marked the last time he consumed alcohol before taking the stage, recognizing the impact of that chaotic night.

“I haven’t drank booze on stage since that famous Wembley gig,” he recalled during a conversation on Radio X.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What date was Oasis' infamous second night at Wembley Stadium?

Oasis played their chaotic second night at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 22 July 2000. The concert was broadcast live on Sky Box Office and intended to serve as the foundation for a live album.

Which live album was recorded during Oasis' 2000 Wembley shows?

The gigs were released as the live album Familiar to Millions in November 2000. Because Liam was heavily intoxicated during the second night, the final release primarily utilised audio recorded on the first night (21 July), combined with studio vocal overdubs.

Why does Noel Gallagher consider Wembley 2000 the low point of Oasis?

Noel called the gig "a horrible two-and-a-half hours" due to Liam’s slurred vocals, botched classic tracks (Supersonic, Roll With It, Cigarettes & Alcohol), and unpredictable rants about his divorce from Patsy Kensit during a high-stakes live broadcast.

Did Liam Gallagher quit drinking booze on stage after Wembley 2000?

Yes. Liam publicly admitted that the disastrous July 2000 Wembley performance was the last time he consumed alcohol on stage before or during a live concert.

Ellis Douglas
Editor, BritRock Heaven