IT’S REUNION SEASON: Can rock nostalgia beat rivalry?
BY: ELLA EDWARDS
‘Oasis hair’ is trending, according to my suggested New York Times fashion columns. While the headline put a strange smile on my face, I didn’t need a reporter to tell me that nostalgia for the late ‘80s and early ‘90s has been in the air lately. I see it in the popularity of vintage tees and hear it in the continued enjoyment of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
On top of that, it has seemed that Gen X’s rock-listeners have had ample reunion news to keep them busy these past few months. From R.E.M.’s heartfelt performance of “Losing My Religion” to mark their induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame this June to a dramatic onstage altercation at a Jane’s Addiction concert on the night of September 13th, it takes a dedicated fan to keep track of which old bands aren’t on speaking terms and which will be playing in your city soon. For diehards, the question is: what do these reunions mean for the future of some beloved bands?
In April 2023, Love and Rockets’ Daniel Ash told Brooklyn Vegan, “I really never thought we’d play again,” ‘we’ being the “So Alive” rock group, composed of former Bauhaus members. Despite Ash’s previous doubt, after an appearance at the Cruel World festival the following month, the band took off on a tour, back together for the first time in 15 years.
According to Ash, as Illinois Entertainer published, Love and Rockets was given “an offer [they] couldn’t refuse” to play at Cruel World and more offers followed, leading to their unexpected tour. “That’s how it happens with us,” he remarked. While fans should not expect a new album from the group, as Ash assured Illinois Entertainer, the future of Love and Rockets seems to be likely, as long as the demand for their unique sound remains.
While intra-group conflict is prevalent in the story of many band reunions, Ash also noted that, as friends since childhood, the group’s potential for longevity remains promising. Love and Rockets listeners can hope for the band to continue working together for a long time.
Despite the optimistic future for Love and Rockets, their tour has not been all sunshine and rainbows. They teamed up with the alternative rock powerhouse Jane’s Addiction, who have not played with all original band members for 14 years, for their trip to 23 American cities.
While the two bands reunited under similar circumstances, “a lot of tension and animosity between the members” of Jane’s Addiction has brewed throughout the earlier leg of their tour, according to frontman Perry Farrell’s wife, Etty Lou Farrell on Instagram. Prior to the group’s pivotal altercation at a Boston show, Farrell told the audience at NYC’s Pier 17 that “something’s wrong with my voice,”. This frustration escalated the growing hostility, as Farrell allegedly struggled to be heard over the instruments at the band’s Boston gig on Friday.
Concert-goers and social media users watched in shock as Farrell confronted and hit Dave Navarro, the group’s guitarist, spurring bassist Eric Avery to restrain the agitated Farrell. Following the brawl, the band left the stage and Jane’s Addiction issued a “heartfelt apology” on their Instagram story. They announced that Sunday night’s show in Bridgeport, Conn. will be canceled and fans will be refunded for their tickets.
While things don’t look good for Jane’s Addiction right now, their concert in Toronto, Canada is still in the books for September 18th. So, fans of the “Just Because” rockers should hold onto their tickets and say a prayer for “Jane’s” to come to an understanding.
With bad juju in the air for band reunions, social media users are joking about the prospects of the upcoming Oasis reunion, a group with a notable history of conflict between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. One fan on X joked, in response to the video of Jane’s Addiction, “Oasis Reunion Tour Prequel starring Jane’s Addiction.”
Their skepticism may be justified after decades of feuding and 15 years on hiatus for the Manchester band. Yet, for better or for worse, Oasis is driven by family ties, something that can’t be said by many other bands. In fact, sources have pointed to the respective adult children of the Gallagher brothers, Gene and Anais, in promoting the reunion.
It is no secret to social media users that Liam Gallagher has been advocating for an Oasis reunion long before his older brother Noel could be convinced. So, this tour is backed with years of momentum, not only from the frontman, but also from eager fans, who waited in the queue for hours on ticketing websites to get access to the UK and Ireland events.
This excitement is only furthered by Liam’s online teasing regarding the potential of a new Oasis album coming soon.
Jane’s Addiction is proof that things can certainly go south when groups are back in the same room after a long time. However, there may still be hope for Oasis; when asked over X whether Noel is “still a potato”, Liam replied, saying, “No he is bloody well not i won’t have a bad word said about that gorgeous talented young man,”.
Setting aside years of bad blood and coming to an agreement is no small feat, especially for a proud pair of brothers. If they can do that, let’s hope that they can put on some great shows for the fans who gritted their teeth and pressed ‘purchase’ despite Ticketmaster’s sky-high prices. While I unfortunately do not have a crystal ball, something tells me that this buzz will last through next summer, when the tour is set to happen. With so much excitement surrounding the reunion, there is good reason for fans to remain hopeful. I mean, really– what could go wrong?
