AFTER partly credited for bringing British guitar pop into the charts, Oasis-mania reached feverish pitch in Singapore before a near full capacity turnout comprising locals, expats and tourists of various ages.

They had witnessed the Manchester-based quintet Oasis at its best – the cocky swagger, the aloof and indifferent dispositions, the cool and sometimes distant come-ons – most notably Liam and Noel Gallagher, on stage at the Singapore Indoor Stadium recently.

Despite the bad behaviour, the band brought the house down with great instrumentation and singing from Noel and Liam.

Most of the audience cheered them on and with their wailing hands they also exercised their vocals during the many sing-along-friendly tracks.

Basically stealing the show were Noel and Liam, and the former was constantly seen alternating between performing on the electric and acoustic guitars. One was easily drawn in to the layers of rhythms, drum and bass lines, and the livid acoustics while Noel and Liam sang with great affection.

Their vocal chops steadfastly carried the songs’ melodies while the instrumentation had formed a solid backbone to the songs.

Performing their massive hits and lesser-known songs, Oasis performed them in their original forms heard on their albums.

One couldn’t help but sing one’s heart out to the endearing Champagne Supernova, Little by Little, Live Forever and Don’t Look Back in Anger.

A surprising turn was when Liam sang Wonderwall, instead of Noel who originally sang the hit song that propelled the band to greatness in America, Europe and Asia.

Yet, the sound system had let up with some jarring feedback noises that had marred the performance’s flow somewhat. Well known for their loose tongues, one couldn’t help but wonder what the Oasis lads had to say about this.

Despite the setbacks, the concert’s overall vibe had climaxed to the point of getting some crowd members ‘body-surfing’ and ‘body-slamming’ just like any rock concert worth its salt.

So much so, several people had fainted after being tightly sandwiched in the crowd.

They were ‘body-surfed’ to the stage-front where the bouncers carried them to a safer refuge.

Oasis closed the concert on a high note performing a cover of The Who’s My Generation, probably acknowledging their music relevance to the predominantly young crowd.

Critics have described Oasis’ music as ‘a mix of ‘Beatles-que’ melodies and hooks, distinct British lyrical themes and song structures like the Jam and the Kinks, tied together with a loud guitar roar and a defiant sneer akin to the Sex Pistols’ rebelliousness and the Stone Roses’ cocksure arrogance.

The band was originally formed by schoolmates Liam Gallagher on vocals, Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass), and Tony McCaroll (drums). After being the guitar technician for the Stone Roses-inspired group the Inspiral Carpets, Noel Gallagher returned to Manchester and found his brother had formed a band. Noel joined and seized complete control of the band’s affairs, including contributing all the songs, and named the band as Oasis.

After a year of intensive rehearsing and playing several small club gigs, the band managed to corner the head of Creation Records, Alan McGee, who was forced to listen to their demo. Impressed, he signed the band.

The band’s first single, Supersonic, released in spring 1994, topped the charts and earned rave reviews. But their highly effective ballad, Live Forever, had truly created an impact in England, putting the band out there.

Their Definitely Maybe entered the charts at No. 1 and became the fastest-selling debut album in British history. Oasis-mania continued throughout 1994 with their performances at larger venues while each new single superseded the last.

Eventually, after their constant arguments, Liam and Noel Gallagher refused to do joint press interviews.

At the end of a difficult Autumn American tour, Noel briefly left the band but then quickly re-joined it.

In 1995, the band took America by storm, promoting their Live Forever single which became a major hit on MTV, album rock, and modern rock radio stations, peaking at No. 2 on the charts, while Definitely Maybe went gold in the US.

Shortly before Some Might Say was released, McCaroll left the band and was replaced by Alan White on drums. Nevertheless, the single became a No. 1 hit and led the band’s previous singles to re-enter the indie charts.

In October 1995, the band’s second album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? was released and quickly reached No. 1 in England. It became the fastest-selling album in the UK since Michael Jackson’s Bad and was the second biggest-selling British album in history.