Aussie fans have been eagerly awaiting dates for Oasis’ 2025 reunion tour, but for now, it looks like the band will be sticking to the Americas.
While there’s still hope for an Australian leg, it feels like the perfect time to look back at the band’s most infamous visit Down Under: their chaotic 1998 tour, a rollercoaster of rock ‘n’ roll, rowdy behaviour, and a lifetime ban from Cathay Airways.
By 1998, Oasis had already earned their place as rock icons, thanks in no small part to their second album, What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, which hit #1 on the ARIA Charts and dominated the airwaves.
In Australia, the album’s runaway success cemented the band’s status, thanks to anthems like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” But when the Gallaghers and their entourage arrived Down Under, they brought a lot more than music with them—they brought pure chaos.
The trouble started even before the band touched Australian soil. Mid-flight from Hong Kong to Perth, Oasis turned Cathay Pacific flight CX171 into a rock ‘n’ roll nightmare. Passengers and crew were subjected to a torrent of swearing, object-throwing, and smoking in prohibited areas.
At one point, the situation became so tense that the pilot reportedly considered diverting the flight to kick them off at Perth Airport to police.
The final straw? According to reports, Liam, furious over the shape of a scone, allegedly threatened the pilot, threatening to stab him with a pen, leading to a lifetime ban from the airline.
“They were abusive. They were disgusting towards the aircrew,” one passenger said of the wild scenes. “They were nasty, they were destructive, they were smoking on board.”
But Liam said later: “I didn’t throw anything. I don’t know what they’re talking about. And they told me to shut my mouth.”
Cathay Pacific made it clear they’d only reconsider their decision if the band promised to behave. When asked if he could guarantee the band’s future good behaviour, Noel responded with a deadpan: “I am not the rest of the band.”
When later asked by a local television reporter if he’d ever be allowed back on board, Liam famously quipped, “I don’t give a flying f***, because you know what, kids? I’d rather walk.”
Seeing this air on television, Cathay Pacific decided to ban the rocker from flying with them for life.
Cathay Pacific’s spokesperson, Chuck Fai Kwan, later confirmed: “Cathay Pacific has taken the decision to refuse any further carriage to Liam Gallagher and people known to have been causing a nuisance on the flight in question.”
The turbulence only continued once they landed. In Brisbane, outside the band’s luxury apartments at Quay West, British fan Benjamin Jones was hoping for a brief encounter with his idols.
Instead of a photo op, he got a headbutt from Liam that left him with a broken nose and severe swelling. After being treated in hospital, Jones filed an official complaint with the police.
The fallout was swift. On February 6th, 1998, Liam appeared in Brisbane Magistrates’ Court, facing a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm. More than 50 photographers and journalists were in attendance, with an extra 20 police officers called in for security. The prosecution initially sought a bail bond of $100,000, fearing Liam wouldn’t return for his hearing.
However, Gallagher’s lawyer, Kelly McGroarty, successfully argued for a reduced bail of $10,000, noting that Gallagher had more to lose by missing the court date, including the disappointment of the 6,000 fans attending Oasis’ show that same night in Brisbane.
And the controversies didn’t stop there. In Sydney, Liam stirred up more trouble after a night out at a Sydney bar, where he was accused of harassing a woman.
According to reports, Liam reached out to touch the woman as she walked past and later shoved a dirty tissue down her top when she confronted him. It was just one more headline in a string of bad behaviour that trailed Oasis across the country.
While Liam was busy making headlines for all the wrong reasons, Noel wasn’t about to sit quietly and let his brother have all the fun. The older Gallagher brother managed to ignite his own controversy when he dismissed the global outpouring of grief following Princess Diana’s death, saying, “The woman’s dead. Shut up. Get over it.”
Yet, amidst the chaos, Oasis still managed to deliver some unforgettable performances. Their Melbourne Festival Hall show saw the band tear through a setlist packed with hits like “Champagne Supernova” and “Supersonic,” proving that no matter the controversy, their music still reigned supreme.
With Oasis set to reunite for their 2025 world tour, it’s clear that the band’s knack for causing a stir is far from over.
