The long-awaited return of Oasis is scheduled for the summer, with concerts in the UK, the US, Asia and South America on the cards. Naturally, as the band has several tunes that are fitting concert openers, bookmakers have been pricing up odds for the first song to be played.
Acquiesce - 1/1
It sounds ludicrous to say, but this song was actually 'just' a B-side on What's the Story Morning Glory, Oasis' second album. Of course, Noel Gallagher is known for having written some fantastic B-sides - such as The Masterplan - and it didn't stop Acquiesce from becoming a fan favourite. The fact that it has been played live a lot has certainly helped as well.
During the tour for the aforementioned album, Acquiesce was usually the second song in the setlist after The Swamp Song. The latter is also available to bet on at 16/1, but it's very unlikely that the band will play this. At most, it will be played as a tape recording and that doesn't count for the betting market.
In that sense, Acquiesce is the more logical choice and the lyrics certainly play a part here as well. While the opening guitar riff is iconic, and would get the crowd going for sure, the 'because we need each other' chorus would be so fitting for the entire reunion. As such, one can definitely understand why it's the favourite.
Acquiesce is priced at 1/1 by Betfred to be the first song played by Oasis in the summer.
Hello - 2/1
Just like Acquiesce, this tune is on Oasis' second album and it should be noted that it's the opening track as well. The title is without a doubt fitting and the band used this as their opener on the Heathen Chemistry tour. The wah-wah effect on the guitar for the intro is certainly iconic and would make for a great opener this summer.
One thing speaks against this song, however, and that is the drumming. Alan White did a tremendous job on many Oasis songs and this is one of them, as you can really hear his characteristics. Zak Starkey has been the rumoured drummer for the reunion and his style is completely different; more powerful and less refined (with all due respect).
Starkey could no doubt pull off Hello, but I doubt Oasis will pick it as their opening tune for the upcoming tour. Hello also hasn't been played by the band since 2002, which coincides with White leaving the band and Starkey taking over his duties. I would actually steer clear of this option as a result. Even if it ends up being Chris Sharrock on the drums, I'm not too sure.
Hello is priced at 2/1 by Betfred to be the first song played by Oasis in the summer.
Rock 'n' Roll Star - 9/4
Liam Gallagher has said it many times before, Rock 'n' Roll Star is the perfect opener for a live gig. We have seen this a lot with his solo tours and of course, the song is also the opener on the iconic Definitely Maybe album. Not to mention that it was the opener for the Dig Out Your Soul tour, having been played at all tours throughout the years (not always as the opener, though).
This is probably my favourite pick as it would work with either rumoured drummer (Starkey and Sharrock) and it's not too demanding on Liam's vocal chords. It will be essential for the singer to ease into the more difficult songs on the tour, otherwise his voice will be heavily affected a few weeks into the tour.
It is also for this reason that songs like Roll With It and Be Here Now, priced at 8/1 and 25/1 respectively, shouldn't really be backed for this market.
Rock 'n' Roll Star is priced at 9/4 by Betfred to be the first song played by Oasis in the summer.
My Favourite Oasis Opener Betting Selection
It's way too difficult to narrow it down to one song, in my opinion, but if I had to pick three then they would be Rock 'n' Roll Star, Morning Glory and Acquiesce. All three are perfect for the task and would work regardless of which musicians end up completing the band - with the drummer being the most important part here.
My money would probably be on Rock 'n' Roll Star, even if I - like many other Oasis fans - like the idea of Acquiesce being the opener. It just feels like it would work better mid-set, or even towards the end, for a singalong that isn't just fully carnage. Rock 'n' Roll Star and Morning Glory are both better for that, i.e. the crowd going absolutely mental.
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