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Oasis Drop Live Version of ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’ After Triumphant Return to Manchester
Jul
INTRODUCTION: A HOMEGROWN LEGACY REBORN
In a move that ignited both nostalgia and celebration among rock fans across the globe, legendary Britpop band Oasis has released a live version of their iconic track “Cigarettes & Alcohol,” recorded during their unforgettable 2025 homecoming concert in Manchester. The release arrives hot on the heels of what has been dubbed “the greatest Manchester gig of the decade” — a return that not only honored the band’s roots but reasserted their timeless influence on modern music.
For fans who witnessed the show in person at the Etihad Stadium, the moment was monumental. For those listening from afar, this live track is more than just a performance — it’s a symbol of a band coming full circle. Recorded in front of 70,000 screaming fans, the new version of “Cigarettes & Alcohol” captures the raw spirit, swagger, and unfiltered energy that turned Oasis into global rock gods in the first place.
THE COMEBACK THAT SHOOK MANCHESTER
On July 20, 2025, Oasis stepped on stage in their hometown for the first time in over a decade, delivering a setlist packed with era-defining anthems. Dubbed “The Manchester Resurrection” by fans and media alike, the show marked one of the most highly anticipated reunions in British rock history. The gig was a celebration of brotherhood (and reconciliation), community, and the working-class spirit that Oasis has always channeled.
From the moment the opening chords of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” rang out, the atmosphere was electric. But it was “Cigarettes & Alcohol” — performed with ferocious energy and visceral passion — that brought the house down. Liam Gallagher’s vocals were raw and defiant, Noel’s guitar work was sharp and full of swagger, and the crowd sang every lyric like it was 1994 again.
The decision to release this particular track as a standalone live recording speaks volumes: “Cigarettes & Alcohol” isn’t just a song — it’s an anthem, a working-class war cry, and an emblem of the Oasis legacy.
WHY ‘CIGARETTES & ALCOHOL’ STILL MATTERS
First released in 1994 as the fourth single from their debut album Definitely Maybe, “Cigarettes & Alcohol” quickly became one of Oasis’s most beloved tracks. With its raw, rebellious tone and lyrics that speak to the desire for meaning in a mundane world, the song encapsulates the ethos of Britpop: angry, ambitious, and unapologetically Northern.
Lines like:
“You could wait for a lifetime / To spend your days in the sunshine”
“Is it worth the aggravation / To find yourself a job when there’s nothing worth working for?”
…resonated deeply with youth during the 90s and continue to ring true today in a world where generational frustration and economic struggle persist.
The live version recorded at the Manchester homecoming retains all the grit of the original while layering in something new: time, perspective, and a triumphant sense of survival. It’s Oasis reminding the world that rock music — and their music — still has something to say.
A MODERN PRODUCTION WITH RETRO FURY
The 2025 live release was produced and mixed by long-time Oasis collaborator Owen Morris, with added engineering from Noel’s High Flying Birds studio team. The mix maintains the wall-of-sound ethos Oasis is known for while elevating the crowd noise and on-stage banter to fully capture the energy of the evening.
Sonically, this isn’t a polished arena rock track. It’s raw, messy, and loud — intentionally so. Liam’s voice cracks in places. The guitar solos lean into distortion. The drum fills are thunderous. It’s punk rock dressed up in a stadium suit, and that’s exactly the point.
According to Morris, “We didn’t want to auto-tune or overly edit anything. The idea was to bottle the chaos and let people feel like they were there. This is Oasis — not a Vegas residency.”
THE BROTHERS BACK TOGETHER
Arguably the most talked-about aspect of the Manchester show — and thus this release — was the reunion of Liam and Noel Gallagher after years of public feuding and creative separation. The two appeared more focused than ever, and while no hugs were shared onstage, there was a mutual respect in the way they played, moved, and let the music speak louder than words.
Before launching into “Cigarettes & Alcohol,” Liam addressed the crowd:
“We wrote this one for you lot. And we’re playing it for you again. Let’s have it.”
The crowd erupted, and for four minutes and fifty-two seconds, all past grudges were forgotten in a sea of raised pints, flares, and voices screaming the chorus back at the stage. It was rock catharsis in its purest form.
VISUALS AND VIDEO RELEASE
Accompanying the single’s release is a live performance video on YouTube and Apple Music, filmed by British director Jake Scott (who previously helmed the band’s Stand By Me video in 1997). Shot in cinematic black-and-white intercut with grainy Super 8 footage, the video captures both the magnitude and intimacy of the Manchester gig.
It’s not just a concert film — it’s a documentary of defiance. Drone shots of the crowd, close-ups of fans in tears, and slow-motion pans of Liam walking across the stage like a footballer at Wembley create a visual love letter to both the band and the city that raised them.
Within 48 hours, the video had 3 million views, with fans calling it “goosebump-inducing,” “a moment frozen in time,” and “proof that Oasis are still kings.”
CRITICAL AND FAN RECEPTION
The release of Live ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’ has garnered widespread praise. NME gave it a 5-star review, calling it “a blistering return that reminds us why Oasis were the last great working-class rock band.” Rolling Stone described the track as “gritty, loud, and glorious — just like Manchester itself.”
On social media, fans from around the world have shared their reactions, photos from the concert, and covers of the song. TikTok trends emerged around the track’s iconic opening riff, and Liam’s defiant pre-song speech has already been turned into memes and motivational reels.
Even critics long skeptical of a reunion had to admit the emotional power behind this release. “There’s something timeless about ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol,’” wrote The Guardian. “But hearing it live in 2025, with the Gallagher brothers back on stage, gives it new life.”
THE SYMBOLISM OF MANCHESTER
Manchester has always been at the heart of the Oasis story. It’s where they formed, rehearsed, gigged, and got signed. Releasing a live version of one of their earliest anthems, recorded in that very city, is more than marketing — it’s mythology.
The Etihad Stadium gig wasn’t just another tour stop. It was a pilgrimage. A cultural reckoning. For older fans, it was a return to their youth. For younger ones, it was proof that Oasis wasn’t just a story from their parents — it was their story too.
The release of “Cigarettes & Alcohol” (Live in Manchester) will forever stand as a timestamp on this legendary chapter.
LOOKING AHEAD: WHAT’S NEXT FOR OASIS?
While no official album has been announced, insiders suggest that more live recordings from the Manchester gig — and perhaps a full live album — are on the way. Rumors of a documentary are also swirling, especially given the cinematic scope of the music video.
Liam has hinted at more tour dates, tweeting cryptic emojis and replying “never say never” to fan questions. Noel, in a rare joint interview with Liam on BBC Radio 6, said: “It’s not a reunion. It’s just a gig. But gigs can lead to things.”
Could this be the beginning of a full Oasis revival? Fans are hopeful. And if “Cigarettes & Alcohol” is any indication, the band still has the spark — and maybe even a second golden era ahead.
CONCLUSION: A SONG, A CITY, A LEGACY
Oasis has always been about more than just music. They’ve been about attitude, identity, and defiance. “Cigarettes & Alcohol” was — and still is — their manifesto. With the release of this live version, captured in the city that shaped them, Oasis has delivered more than a nostalgia hit. They’ve reignited something real.
In a world that often feels too polished, too rehearsed, and too synthetic, Oasis’s raw, loud, and gloriously imperfect return is a reminder of what rock and roll can still be.
Because in the end, it’s not just about cigarettes or alcohol —
It’s about the fire that starts when music meets meaning.
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