The San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium was the first venue where the band performed in Chile in 1998. Those attending the show remember the day as a historical moment and classify the presentation as sober. The relaxed interviews that Noel Gallagher gave before the show remain in my memory.
Oasis announced that the tour that brings them back to the stage will include dates in South America. In the case of Chile, the event is scheduled for November 19, 2025 at the National Stadium, which will be its most massive presentation in its relationship with the country. Their last performance was in 2009, when the band was already on the verge of breaking up, which would mark their last tour within the framework of the release of their album “Dig Out Your Soul”.
It was the night of March 14, 1998 when Oasis took the stage in the eastern sector of the capital. The tour followed the release of their album “Be Here Now”, which became the fastest-selling album in UK music history. Beyond commercial success, the album received criticism for the loss of the original sound that characterized the band. Even among the Gallagher brothers themselves there are differences regarding the place of that work in the history of the band: while Liam calls it a “top” album, Noel has distanced himself from the songs on that album.
In Chile, the band performed 15 songs. The show began with the eponymous song “Be Here Now.” Then, in the first third of the concert, the band played “Stand by Me”, “Supersonic”, “Roll With It” and “D’You Know What I Mean”, also from the most recent work they had come to present.
Sergio Cancino, journalist and author, says that the media impact of the band’s first visit was very great, since it was the first Britpop band to play in Chile. This, despite the fact that they came with their “weakest” album to the date of the presentation, explains the journalist. Also, remember that Noel Gallagher went to Radio Rock and Pop to give an interview, comment on albums and program music, showing the relaxed atmosphere that existed in the run-up to the show.
Regarding the show itself, the journalist remembers that the band was static on stage, and the performance was accompanied by almost no paraphernalia. “Basically they were musicians playing and with a very impressive electric mass,” says Cancino. In addition, he emphasizes that other great Britpop bands such as Blur, Suede, Pulp or James, appeared in the country years later.
To this he adds that San Carlos de Apoquindo was not full. “The sound was not optimal, but the value of being able to see those great songs, those Oasis anthems at that moment, clearly made it a very valuable historical opportunity,” says the journalist.
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Track number six in the Oasis repertoire in San Carlos de Apoquindo was “Cigarettes & Alcohol”; then they continued with “Don’t Go Away”, “Live Forever” and “Setting Sun”. That second third of the show would end with “Don’t Look Back In Anger.”
Julio Stark, a journalist who covered that show, remembers that the Oasis concert was accompanied by many advertising campaigns that were reflected in the broadcast of the concert on Channel 2, which can still be found on YouTube. In it you can see the presence of sponsors such as Bresler, Paris and Entel, among others, in addition to the Rock & Pop Channel’s own logo.
The journalist adds that, despite the criticism, there was expectation to see them. “I remember they were playing loudly on the radio; The songs they brought already had a resume to say ‘look, this is what is playing now’. It wasn’t like in some festivals, where artists come after their best moment has passed,” says the journalist.
The last part of the show began with the classics “Don’t Look Back In Anger”, “Wonderwall”, “It’s Gettin’ Better (Man!!)”, “Champagne Supernova”, “Acquiesce” and ended with the cover of I Am The Walrusthe original song by The Beatles.
“The field was full. There was an acoustic part where Noel sang, and they interspersed it with solo songs. It was a short show, which felt short,” Stark says of the concert that lasted an hour and 20 minutes.
After that presentation, the British returned to Chile in 2006 to perform at the National Stadium Velodrome. Then they returned in 2009 – which would be their last performance in Chile – to perform at the Movistar Arena. 16 years later they have already scheduled their presentation in 2025 at the National Stadium, an important leap in terms of the band’s call in our country.
Regarding this, Sergio Canciono explains that nostalgia did its part to generate such an expectation that it would allow the National Stadium to be filled.
“Nostalgia, of course, for Definitely Maybe, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?and the fact that there are a couple of generations that have never seen the Gallaghers live, generate a lot of appeal for seeing them in a stadium. Especially considering the context of their legendary fights, which could make this a very volatile meeting. I hope they finally finish a new album, as they themselves have promised, but most people will attend mainly to listen to the songs from the first two albums and the best singles from the albums that came later,” says the journalist.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Sergio Cancino, Music Journalist and Author
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Sergio! It’s great to have you with us today to discuss the historical significance of Oasis’s first concert in Chile back in 1998. Let’s dive right in. What do you think made that concert such a pivotal moment in the Chilean music scene?
Sergio Cancino: Thank you for having me! When Oasis performed at the San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium on March 14, 1998, it was groundbreaking. They were the first Britpop band to play in Chile, and even though they brought what many considered their “weakest” album, the excitement was palpable. For many, it was a unique opportunity to witness a significant cultural export and a demonstration of Chile’s growing openness to international music.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the album they were promoting, Be Here Now. There was a lot of critical discussion about it. Can you share the dynamics that existed among the Gallagher brothers regarding this album?
Sergio Cancino: Absolutely! Be Here Now set records as the fastest-selling album in UK history, but it divided opinions. Liam Gallagher deemed it a “top” album, while Noel distanced himself from it over time. This difference in perspective reflects a broader debate on artistic evolution versus commercial success. It’s fascinating that these nuances were part of what people were discussing as they anticipated the concert.
Time.news Editor: Going back to the concert itself, you described the band’s performance as rather sober and static. How did that affect the overall reception of the show?
Sergio Cancino: The performance was unusual because it lacked all the typical showbiz theatrics. The band wasn’t jumping around or using a lot of visual effects. Instead, their focus was purely on the music. Despite being relatively static, the power of their songs resonated deeply with the audience. Many people remember that night fondly, not just for the music but because it was such a significant moment in their lives. The atmosphere was electric despite the lack of stage gimmicks.
Time.news Editor: Interesting! You also mentioned that the venue wasn’t full and the sound quality was not optimal. How did these factors contribute to the overall experience for fans?
Sergio Cancino: It was true; the stadium wasn’t packed, and the sound was far from what one would expect from a major concert. However, people felt grateful to witness those iconic songs live. In hindsight, it was a historical opportunity that outweighed the technical shortcomings. Fans left feeling they’d been part of something special. Remember, at that point, the band was approaching its breakup, so every note felt significant.
Time.news Editor: You also highlighted the media coverage surrounding the concert. How did the advertising campaigns and broadcast of the event impact its legacy?
Sergio Cancino: The broadcast on Channel 2 and the involvement of sponsors created a buzz that amplified the event’s significance. It was one of the first major concerts to be actively promoted on television, which helped pave the way for future international acts. People were tuning in to see a band that was emblematic of youth culture at the time, and that had lasting effects on the music industry in Chile.
Time.news Editor: As we look forward to Oasis’s upcoming concert in November 2025, how do you think this return to Chile will be received, given the context of their previous shows?
Sergio Cancino: I believe the anticipation is going to be immense. This upcoming performance will be their most massive show in Chile, and there’s a nostalgia factor at play here. Fans are excited not just for the music but also because they’ll be celebrating their connection to the band, which many feel grew stronger with time. It’s a chance to make new memories and perhaps re-adopt some of those classic songs in a modern context.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like it will be a truly remarkable event! Thank you, Sergio, for sharing your insights. It’s exciting to look back as we prepare to look forward once again.
Sergio Cancino: Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to reflect on the impact of music on our culture and how it connects us across generations.