**Liam Gallagher Rebukes Edinburgh Council Over Comments Targeting Oasis Fans Ahead of Reunion Tour**
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has hit back at Edinburgh City Council after internal safety briefings appeared to portray the band’s supporters in an unflattering light ahead of the group’s much-anticipated reunion concerts. Official documents, made public after a freedom of information request, described Oasis fans using terms like “drunk”, “middle-aged”, and “fat”, leading to widespread criticism and a swift response from Gallagher himself.
The controversy centres on several internal council documents prepared as part of extensive safety planning for three sold-out Oasis concerts at Murrayfield Stadium, scheduled for August. These concerts form part of the Oasis Live ’25 Tour, marking the band’s first major reunion shows in 15 years and attracting huge attention from fans across the UK and beyond.
Within the briefing papers, officials voiced concerns about hosting such large-scale events at the same time as Edinburgh’s world-renowned Festival Fringe. One particularly candid note stated: “Middle aged men take up more room, consider this when working out occupancy.” The documents went on to describe potential issues such as “rowdy” crowds and the possibility of “medium to high intoxication” among concertgoers, while also expressing worries that the presence of Oasis fans might discourage Fringe performers from attending during that weekend.
Notably, the papers acknowledged that recent Gallagher concerts have led to “minimal arrests,” but nonetheless recommended careful planning around crowd safety and management. The comments, however, drew the ire of not only fans, but also key figures in the Oasis community, who accused the council of perpetuating negative stereotypes.
Taking to social media, Liam Gallagher did not hold back in expressing his displeasure. “To the Edinburgh council I’ve heard what you said about Oasis fans and quite frankly your attitude f****** stinks,” he wrote, adding, “I’d leave town that day if I was any of you lot.” He went on to challenge the council directly, quipping: “I’d love to see a picture of all the people on the Edinburgh council – bet there’s some real stunning individuals.”
The reaction from fans and collectors was swift, with David Walker from the Oasis Collectors Group decrying the briefings as “a nasty, sneering stereotype” that failed to recognise the diversity and passion of the Oasis fanbase. “To call fans drunk, middle-aged and fat is a jaundiced view,” Walker stated, echoing the frustrations felt by many.
Despite the backlash, local leaders were keen to underline their commitment to ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors during the landmark events. Councillor Margaret Graham, convener for culture and communities, responded by emphasising the city’s reputation for successfully managing major events and its extensive partnership approach. “We’re very proud to host the biggest and best events in Edinburgh throughout the year, which bring in hundreds of millions of pounds to the local economy and provide unparalleled entertainment for our residents and visitors,” she said.
Graham also highlighted the importance of learning from previous years to refine the city’s event management strategies and promised that both communication with local residents and collaboration with agencies such as DF Concerts, Police Scotland, ScotRail, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and G4S would help deliver a safe and enjoyable concert experience. “Over the past few years, we’ve hosted many similar events and managed to strike the right balance,” she noted. “I have no doubt we can do so once again.”
With around 210,000 people expected to attend across the three evenings, anticipation for the reunion is sky-high. Many believe these concerts at Murrayfield could become part of live music folklore, especially for the millions who have awaited an Oasis reunion for over a decade.
As preparations continue, the spat between Gallagher and the council serves as a reminder of the strong emotions that music, fandom, and civic pride can evoke. Whatever happens on stage, it is clear that this summer’s concerts will have an impact that lasts far beyond the final encore.