2009 was a different time. “Modern Family” aired its first episode, Sabrina Carpenter was 10 years old and Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for the VMA Video of the Year Award. It would also be the last time Oasis would perform on stage together.

At least, that’s what everyone thought.

Oasis was the 1990s rock band that churned out songs like “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Wonderwall.” Last year, they announced they were going back on tour after splitting apart 16 years ago. The band was formed in 1991, but a rift between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, the band’s lead singer and guitarist respectively, caused their separation.

But after 16 years of waiting (longer than I’ve been alive), Oasis finally set foot on Soldier Field in Chicago, on Aug. 28, playing their first concert in America to a sold out crowd of 60,000.

If there’s one thing to take away from this opening night, it’s that Oasis is back and better than ever. It wasn’t just the fanbase who showed up — Liam and Noel Gallagher were phenomenal. They walked on stage with their signature hand-in-hand style, showing strength in their relationship that hadn’t been seen in a long time.

But what does this mean for the band? Will it lead to a future with more music, more tours and Gen-Z fans that can take the band to new levels?

While this is a good question to consider, there is a clear answer.

Yes.

Other ‘90s bands like Sublime, who split after lead singer Bradley Nowell passed away in 1996, dealt with similar splits and came back. Sublime’s timeline happened a little earlier, with Bradley’s son Jakob taking over in 2024 to go on tour, leading to their hit single Ensenada taking over Billboard charts.

Sublime’s success shows that people are looking for these ‘90s rock bands, and Oasis is the perfect fit. They have this incredible songwriting talent that’s given them unprecedented popularity. Combine that with their oddly simple performances that rely on their music, not flashy concerts or backup dancers, and it creates an incredible tour vibe that is perfect for a comeback.

But the reunion isn’t only a good sign for the future of the band. It’s a good sign for fans, and not just the old ones.

Because Oasis split in 2009, a whole generation grew up without them. They weren’t able to understand not just how breathtaking Oasis was, but also how popular they were. They played a 1996 concert to 250,000 people, the second biggest concert in British history. But now, parents are eager to share what they loved with their kids, and the kids are loving it just as much.

Unbeknownst to parents, they couldn’t have shared with their kids at a better time. Because Oasis is back on tour, and so many people are going to their shows, they are the ones that will fill the void for our generation.

All of this new interest from Gen-Z begins on tour. The band’s return has proven that Oasis isn’t just some one-hit wonder that’s slowly fading. If anything, it proves that they are so much more than that, with a fanbase that spans generations and the performing capabilities to manage it.

And it’s coming together to make one big beautiful reunion tour with new and old fans alike.

Hopefully this time, there won’t be anything to look back in anger at.