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Error messages and lengthy online queues frustrate fans scrambling to secure Oasis reunion tickets

LONDON (AP) 鈥 Some Oasis fans celebrated like a champagne supernova, while others looked back in anger on Saturday as online ticket sites strained under demand for the band鈥檚 first shows for 15 years .
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FILE - Liam Gallagher performs at the Reading Music Festival, England, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Scott Garfitt, File)

LONDON (AP) 鈥 Some fans celebrated like a champagne supernova, while others looked back in anger on Saturday as online ticket sites strained under demand for the band鈥檚 .

The Britpop-era behemoth led by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher is scheduled to play 17 gigs in Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin starting July 4.

More than 1 million tickets went on sale Saturday morning, with prices starting at about 74 pounds (just under $100) and rising to a 506-pound ($666) package that includes a pre-show party and merchandise.

The band's representatives said later in the day that all the tickets were sold, but hinted more shows may be announced, saying 鈥渁nticipation for details of the tour鈥檚 international dates is now rapidly mounting.鈥

Many fans were frustrated in their attempts to secure tickets. Some people attempting to get onto the handful of authorized sales sites, including Ticketmaster and Gigs and Tours, received error messages, while many others were informed they were in a lengthy queue.

Josh Jeffery, a videographer who lives near Edinburgh, spent hours moving up the online ticket queue, before 鈥渢he whole site collapsed鈥 at the last step.

鈥淚鈥檝e given up, my friends have given up," said Jeffery, who first saw Oasis in Manchester as a teenager in 1996. 鈥淲e just decided it鈥檚 too much hassle.

鈥淎s I was in the queue, I heard 鈥榃onderwall鈥 blasting out from my neighbor鈥檚 house," he added ruefully. "He鈥檇 obviously got tickets.鈥

Some fans managed to buy tickets through a presale lottery on Friday. Barista Isabelle Doyle said she was 鈥渙ver the moon鈥 after snagging two seats for one of the band's London shows.

鈥淚鈥檝e been a fan of Oasis for about 10 years now, literally since I was 11 years old," the 21-year-old said. "Finally to be able to see them after they got me through as a teenager, it鈥檚 absolutely amazing and I鈥檓 so excited.鈥

Within hours, tickets began to be offered on resale websites for as much as 6,000 pounds ($7,800). Oasis issued a warning, saying tickets could only be resold at face value through authorized sites.

鈥淭ickets appearing on other secondary ticketing sites are either counterfeit or will be cancelled by the promoters,鈥 it said in a statement.

Megan Gordon, a 25-year-old fan from Manchester, said she was 鈥渇uming鈥 after failing to get tickets.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 really want to pay resale, but I will,鈥 she said.

Formed in Manchester in 1991, Oasis was one of the dominant British acts of the 1990s, producing hits including 鈥淲onderwall鈥, 鈥淐hampagne Supernova鈥 and 鈥淒on鈥檛 Look Back in Anger.鈥 Its sound was fueled by singalong rock choruses and the between guitarist-songwriter Noel Gallagher and singer sibling Liam.

Oasis split in 2009, with Noel Gallagher quitting the band after a backstage dustup with his brother at a festival near Paris. While the Gallagher brothers, now aged 57 and 51, haven鈥檛 performed together since, both regularly perform Oasis songs at their solo gigs. They鈥檝e also each fired off criticisms of the other in the press.

Announcing the reunion, the band said fans would experience 鈥渢he spark and intensity鈥 that occurs only when they appear on stage together.

Alice Enders, head of research at media consultancy Enders Analysis, said touring was now the major source of revenue for many musicians, and Oasis could expect a big payday 鈥 though the tour, limited for now to the U.K. and Ireland, pales in comparison to global juggernauts like .

She said Oasis is playing catch-up in a live music market that has seen 鈥渁 relentless climb in expenditure, consumer expenditure, demand for festivals."

鈥淚t鈥檚 been 15 years of a mega-trend that they missed out on, basically,鈥 Enders said. "So it鈥檚 a good thing they鈥檙e jumping on now. ... If they wait too long, then they are just a bunch of old geezers.鈥

The tour is due to begin July 4 and 5 at Cardiff鈥檚 Principality Stadium. Oasis will also perform at Heaton Park in Manchester, on July 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20; London鈥檚 Wembley Stadium on July 25, 26 and 30 and Aug. 2 and 3; Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Aug. 8, 9 and 12; and Croke Park in Dublin on Aug. 16 and 17.

The host cities anticipate an economic boost to hotels, bars, restaurants and shops 鈥 especially Manchester, the band鈥檚 hometown and a city renowned for its musical heritage.

Sacha Lord, Manchester鈥檚 official nighttime economy adviser, said 鈥渢here鈥檚 a big buzz鈥 in the city about the reunion.

鈥淭his is a homecoming gig,鈥 he said. 鈥淲hen they set foot on that stage for the first time, it鈥檚 going to be a really special moment.鈥

Fans acknowledged that, given the brothers' frequent feuds, there is a risk not all the dates will go to plan. But most were undeterred.

Louise Hudson got tickets for London's Wembley Arena, and plans a 鈥渇amily night out鈥 with her brother, sister-in-law and niece.

As for the Gallaghers, 鈥渋f they fall out, they fall out," she said. "Families, eh?鈥

___

Associated Press video journalist Kwiyeon Ha in Manchester contributed to this report.

Jill Lawless, The Associated Press