Oasis pay tribute to late Liverpool star on opening night of reunion tour in Cardiff

In a moment that blended the raw energy of rock ‘n’ roll with the poignant sorrow of loss, legendary Britpop band Oasis paid a touching tribute to the late Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota at the conclusion of their highly anticipated reunion concert in Cardiff, Wales. The event, held on July 4, 2025, at the Principality Stadium, marked the band’s first live performance in 16 years, drawing tens of thousands of fans eager to witness the Gallagher brothers—Noel and Liam—rekindle their iconic onstage chemistry. As the setlist drew to a close with their anthemic hit “Live Forever,” the screens behind the stage illuminated with an image of Jota in his Liverpool jersey, a gesture that left the audience in stunned silence before erupting into applause. This unexpected homage transcended rivalries, uniting music lovers and football enthusiasts in a shared moment of remembrance.

The tribute came just one day after Jota’s tragic death in a car accident on July 3, 2025, which also claimed the life of his brother. The 28-year-old Portuguese forward, known for his blistering pace, clinical finishing, and unwavering dedication on the pitch, had become a beloved figure in the football world since joining Liverpool in 2020. His sudden passing sent shockwaves through the global sports community, prompting tributes from clubs, players, and fans alike. Oasis, despite the Gallagher brothers’ well-documented allegiance to Manchester City—Liverpool’s fierce Premier League rivals—chose to honor Jota, highlighting the humanity that often bridges even the most intense divides in sports and entertainment.sports.yahoo.com

To understand the significance of this moment, one must delve into the backstory of Oasis’s reunion. The band, formed in Manchester in 1991, rose to fame in the mid-1990s with albums like Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), which featured timeless tracks such as “Wonderwall,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” and the very song used for the tribute, “Live Forever.” Their music captured the spirit of working-class Britain, blending swaggering rock with introspective lyrics that resonated with generations. However, the band’s history was marred by the infamous feud between Noel and Liam Gallagher, which led to their acrimonious split in 2009 after a backstage altercation in Paris. For over a decade, fans held out hope for a reconciliation, fueled by occasional public jabs and cryptic social media posts from the brothers.

The reunion was announced in late 2024, sending ticket sales into a frenzy and generating headlines worldwide. The tour, dubbed “Oasis Live ’25,” promised a return to their roots with sold-out shows across the UK and Ireland, including multiple dates at Wembley Stadium and Heaton Park in Manchester. Cardiff’s Principality Stadium served as the opening night, a venue known for its electric atmosphere during major events. Fans queued for hours, some traveling from as far as Australia and the United States, to experience what many called a “once-in-a-lifetime” event. The setlist was a nostalgia-packed journey through their catalog, kicking off with “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” and building to crowd-pleasers like “Supersonic” and “Champagne Supernova.” The brothers’ banter was light-hearted, a far cry from their past volatility, with Liam quipping, “It’s good to be back, innit?” to roaring approval.

As the concert neared its end, the mood shifted during “Live Forever.” Written by Noel in 1991 as a defiant response to the grunge scene and personal hardships, the song’s lyrics—”Maybe I will never be all the things that I wanna be / Now is not the time to cry, now’s the time to find out why”—took on new layers of meaning in light of Jota’s untimely death. The band paused briefly before the final chorus, and the stadium screens displayed a poignant image of Jota celebrating a goal, accompanied by the words “Diogo Jota, 1996-2025.” Liam Gallagher, microphone in hand, dedicated the performance to “a lad who lived life to the full,” his voice cracking with emotion. The crowd, a mix of Oasis die-hards and casual attendees, responded with a sea of phone lights and chants of Jota’s name, blending seamlessly with the song’s soaring melody.goal.com

This gesture was particularly striking given Oasis’s deep ties to Manchester City. Both Gallagher brothers are lifelong supporters of the club, with Noel often seen at Etihad Stadium matches and even contributing to City’s official anthem remixes. Liam, ever the outspoken fan, has publicly mocked Liverpool on numerous occasions, once famously declaring Manchester City as “the greatest team in the world.” Yet, in this instance, football rivalries were set aside. Sources close to the band revealed that the tribute was a last-minute decision, prompted by the news of Jota’s accident breaking just hours before soundcheck. “Music and football are about passion, and loss hits everyone the same,” a band insider commented anonymously. The act underscored a broader theme in Oasis’s ethos: unity in the face of adversity, much like their songs that rally against despair.marca.com

Diogo Jota’s life and career provide a compelling backdrop to why such a tribute resonated so deeply. Born in Massarelos, Portugal, on December 4, 1996, Jota began his professional journey with Paços de Ferreira before moving to Atlético Madrid and then Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League. His £41 million transfer to Liverpool in September 2020 marked a turning point, where he quickly established himself as a key player under manager Jürgen Klopp. Jota’s versatility as a forward, capable of playing across the front line, contributed to Liverpool’s successes, including the 2022 FA Cup and League Cup double. Off the pitch, he was known for his humility, family values, and passion for gaming—he even competed in professional esports tournaments during his downtime.

Tragically, Jota’s life was cut short in a car crash near Porto, Portugal, while traveling with his brother. The accident, attributed to adverse weather conditions, occurred on a highway, and both were pronounced dead at the scene. The football world mourned immediately: Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing “profound sadness,” while teammates like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk shared personal anecdotes on social media. Portugal’s national team, for which Jota earned 36 caps and scored 12 goals, observed a minute’s silence during training. Fans gathered outside Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, laying flowers, scarves, and jerseys in tribute. The Premier League announced that all matches that weekend would feature black armbands and pre-game silences in his honor.ladbible.com

Reactions to Oasis’s tribute poured in from all corners. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), posts exploded with praise for the band’s class and sensitivity. One user, @ESPNFC, shared images from the concert, noting, “Oasis paid homage to Diogo Jota during their concert in Cardiff, Wales, over the weekend ❤️ Toward the end of the concert, the Gallagher brothers… paid tribute to the late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota during a performance of ‘Live Forever.’”@ESPNFC Another, @KurtSoccerBeat, posted a video clip of the moment, captioning it, “The Diogo Jota tribute from Oasis at the end of Live Forever. Amazing touch. Can’t imagine how this moment must’ve been for those there.”@KurtSoccerBeat Football pundits and musicians alike lauded the gesture. ESPN’s coverage highlighted it as a “beautifully poignant” act, emphasizing how it bridged the gap between rival fanbases.espn.com

The concert itself was a triumph, with critics hailing it as a flawless return. The Guardian’s review described the performance as “electrifying,” noting the brothers’ improved harmony and the crowd’s euphoric response. Setlist highlights included rare B-sides like “Acquiesce” and a cover of The Beatles’ “I Am the Walrus,” nodding to their Manchester roots. Production values were top-notch, with pyrotechnics, laser lights, and a massive LED screen that amplified the emotional peaks. Attendance figures topped 75,000, with tickets reselling for thousands online. For many, the Jota tribute elevated the night from mere nostalgia to something profound, reminding attendees of life’s fragility amid celebration.

In the broader context, this event reflects the intertwined worlds of music and football in British culture. Oasis has long embodied the laddish, football-loving ethos of the 1990s, with songs that soundtracked match days and pub sing-alongs. Their connection to Manchester City is legendary—Noel once wrote “Blue Moon Rising” for the club—but their music’s universal appeal allows for moments like this. Jota, though a Liverpool player, represented the dreams of young athletes everywhere, making his loss universally felt.

As the reunion tour continues, with dates in Manchester, London, and Dublin ahead, fans speculate if similar tributes will recur. Liam Gallagher teased on X, “Respect to all who’ve lost loved ones. Live forever, yeah?” The band’s management confirmed that proceeds from select merchandise sales will support road safety charities in Jota’s memory. This tribute not only honors a fallen star but also cements Oasis’s legacy as more than just rock icons—they’re cultural touchstones capable of fostering empathy in divided times.

The night in Cardiff will be remembered not just for the music, but for the humanity on display. In “Live Forever,” Oasis sang of enduring spirit, a fitting epitaph for Diogo Jota, whose legacy will indeed live on in the hearts of fans worldwide.