Keyboardist Christian Madden has shared his thoughts on the record-breaking Oasis tour, including his favorite city from the experience.
Madden, a highly regarded musician who transitioned from The Earlies to various touring and studio projects, joined Oasis last year and played at all their reunion shows.
He maintains an interesting Substack where he provides an in-depth reflection on the Oasis tour, offering some of the most insightful commentary available.
He writes:
“Well, given that the largest tour in the world in 2025 just wrapped up and I was a small part of it, I should take a moment to reflect, if anyone is interested. Clearly, my words will be lost in a sea of positive exaggeration; for a real feel of the tour, you should check out YouTube or Instagram… It all appears incredibly special. It truly was special.”
The keyboardist shares a unique viewpoint, describing himself as “the least famous person in the most famous band touring the globe this year, a nobody amidst a media whirlwind…”
Delving into the specifics of the tour, Christian has a keen eye for detail. “What was it like being in the thick of it all? If I claimed it was like any other gig, you might think I was downplaying it with uncharming false modesty, but in many ways, it was. You spend time in a room with a group of guys you see daily. You segment the day into meals, counting down to when you’ll eat again. You do soundchecks, return to the dressing room, share stories and jokes, and get to know one another.”
“Onstage, you monitor these same guys, aiming to stay in sync with them. You pick up on their mistakes and watch to see if they’re alright, if they’ve mentally bounced back. Maybe you smile to reassure them it’s okay. Occasionally, you slip up yourself and glance around, wondering if anyone noticed. You’re connected with the rest of the band, creating a self-contained universe where nothing else matters or feels real. Yet it is real, and that’s where this tour differed from others. You’d look up to see an endless crowd. Sometimes it resembled a 1980s football terrace, full of enthusiastic movement, and at other moments, you’d see a mesmerizing ocean of mobile phone lights swaying in the dark. Occasionally, I’d pull out my in-ears and listen to the incredible roar of 80,000 people united. The audience changed everything. Naturally, they would.”
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Reflecting on “a year filled with unforgettable moments,” he discloses some key insights;
“I’ll get asked various questions, some I might address. Did they really get along? Yes, they did; it wasn’t exaggerated—just a genuine warmth after forgiving one another and cautiously moving forward. What you witnessed was genuine. Which show was the best, which city had the best crowd? They were all fantastic, everyone was amazing, etc. Every gig in South America was exceptional. But Buenos Aires, night two—that crowd had to wait an hour due to safety checks, and when their moment arrived, they erupted. Will there be more gigs in 2026 or beyond? I’ll be asked that frequently. Do you honestly think I know? I’m just a worker ant at the end of the day.”
The musician concludes by referencing a now-famous article from the Guardian by Simon Price, sharing his thoughts on the lasting iconic status that only Oasis seems to possess:
“The music is inclusive, and then there’s the band. Those who wish to criticize might note the all-white male lineup on stage, which is a fair observation. However, what I’ve always found appealing was that it consisted of average-looking men, dressed like regular folks out for a weekend, with musical abilities that were more average than virtuosic, playing songs together. There was nothing about it that felt unattainable or incomprehensible. Everyone looked at Oasis and thought, ‘they’re no better than me, I could do that!’ Many people formed bands after seeing them back in the day. A lot of them probably shouldn’t have, to be honest, but that’s what makes the band so inclusive and welcoming. They make it seem easier and more attainable than it truly is; they’re not showing off, and the skill is hidden. You look at Oasis and think, ‘they’re just like me, I could be in that band.’”
“And for six months this year, I was.”
Find the complete Substack here.
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Keyboardist Christian Madden has shared his thoughts on the record-breaking Oasis tour, highlighting the top city they performed in. The keyboard player