For those who have sibling relationships, think back to the countless moments when they’ve tested your patience. Now, envision the challenge of forming a musical band with them. It might seem like a recipe for chaos, wouldn’t it?

Noel and Liam Gallagher, the dynamic duo behind Oasis, are emblematic of typical sibling rivalry, often clashing over various issues. Their status as globally recognized rock stars only amplifies the complications in their relationship, making it understandable that years of escalating tensions ultimately led to their band’s disbandment.

Before Oasis officially parted ways in 2009, the brothers were embroiled in numerous public disputes, fueled by a myriad of factors, alongside a multitude of casual barbs exchanged in interviews and across social media. The public disagreements represent just a fraction of the conflicts likely occurring behind closed doors.

Fortunately, it seems the Gallagher brothers have reconciled sufficiently to embark on a global reunion tour. In celebration of this achievement, we’re delving into the 10 Biggest Fights Between Oasis Brothers, arranged chronologically for your reading pleasure.

1. Liam Assaults Noel with a Tambourine, Noel Walks Away (September 1994)

In August 1994, Oasis launched their debut album, Definitely Maybe, which rapidly became a phenomenal hit in the U.K., marking it as the fastest-selling British album at that time. Just a month later, the band found themselves performing at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, the largest American concert they had done to date. During this pivotal show, tensions escalated to a breaking point, prompting Liam to hurl a tambourine at Noel’s head while also insulting the American audience. This incident led Noel to temporarily quit the band, resulting in the cancellation of their next nine scheduled U.S. shows. Fortunately, they reconvened on October 14 in Minneapolis, allowing them to continue their tour.

2. The ‘Wibbling Rivalry’ Tape Release (1995)

Imagine if a recording of an argument with your sibling was released as a single. This bizarre scenario came true for the Gallagher brothers in 1995 when a tape, recorded a year earlier during an interview with writer John Harris for NME, was released. The tape captured an argument filled with expletives and grievances over various topics. When this raw recording was released as a single in 1995, it remarkably peaked at No. 52 on the U.K. charts, showcasing the public’s fascination with their sibling rivalry.

3. Noel Strikes Liam with a Cricket Bat (1995)

Noel sought retribution for the tambourine incident by striking Liam on the head with a cricket bat, arguably one of the most quintessentially British retaliatory actions. This confrontation unfolded during the recording sessions of Oasis’ second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, at Rockfield Studios in Wales. Noel later recounted, “As I recall, Liam was going pretty f—ing mad. Somebody let a fire extinguisher off in the farmhouse, and I think maybe one of my guitars got damaged, which I blamed on him. … I ended up having a proper fight with Liam. It might have been the biggest fight we ever had.”

4. Noel Takes the Stage Alone for ‘MTV Unplugged’ While Liam Heckles (August 1996)

Performing on MTV Unplugged during the ’90s was a significant opportunity for artists aiming to broaden their appeal in the American music scene. In 1996, Oasis was invited to perform, but after three days of rehearsals, Liam withdrew due to a sore throat. With the last-minute change, Noel took over the lead vocal responsibilities. “Liam isn’t with us tonight because he’s got a sore throat,” Noel announced to the audience, humorously commenting, “So you’re stuck with the ugly four.” To complicate matters, Liam heckled Noel from the crowd, drinking champagne and engaging in a slow clap, adding to the comedic yet tense atmosphere.

5. Noel Walks Away Again After Liam Questions His Daughter’s Paternity (2000)

In 2000, Noel and his then-wife, Meg Matthews, welcomed their daughter, Anais, into the world. However, Liam chose to spark a conflict over this innocent child. That same year, Oasis drummer Alan White sustained an arm injury, leading to the cancellation of a concert in Barcelona. Instead of focusing on music, the brothers went out for drinks, where Liam made an outrageous comment questioning the paternity of Noel’s newborn daughter. As reported by The Guardian, “Noel pounced on Liam immediately, delivering a punch that split his lip. Following this altercation, Noel left the tour, leaving the rest of the band to navigate their European dates without him.”

6. Liam Walks Off Stage Mid-Song During ‘Champagne Supernova’ (June 2005)

In the video below, Oasis performs “Champagne Supernova” in Milan, Italy, on May 12, 2005. However, a month later, during a performance of the same song at the Heineken Jammin’ Festival in Imola, Italy, Liam unexpectedly walked off the stage. The reason behind this abrupt departure remains unclear. “Noel and I don’t speak to each other. That’s probably best,” Liam told Spin in June 2005. “We see each other, but I’ve got nothing to say to him. He’s got nothing to say to me. We make music, and that’s it. … But there’s a difference between disagreements and hating each other. Me and him are cool. We’re brothers. We’re never gonna split up. We’re f—ing family.” Those words would later take on a bittersweet significance.

7. Noel Announces His Final Departure from Oasis (August 2009)

The individual who recorded the video below of Oasis performing the Beatles’ classic “I Am the Walrus” at the V Festival in Staffordshire, England, on August 22, 2009, likely had no idea they were capturing the band’s last live performance before their breakup was announced. Although Oasis was scheduled for a second night at the festival, it was canceled. Liam claimed it was due to laryngitis, but whispers of internal strife began to circulate. Noel later confirmed that arguments were indeed occurring, mentioning a particularly intense moment where Liam swung a guitar at him, “wielding it like an axe.” Just days later, as they were set to perform at the Rock en Seine Festival in Paris, the audience was informed that Oasis would not perform. Shortly after, Noel announced his definitive departure from the band, stating, “I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.”

8. Liam Declares He’d Rather Eat His Own Waste Than Play with Noel Again

If you imagined the drama would cease following the band’s disbandment, think again. In the years post-Oasis, both Noel and Liam were frequently asked about the possibility of reuniting or at least reconciling. This led to ongoing exchanges of barbs in interviews. In 2011, Liam remarked that he would only contemplate reuniting Oasis for the sake of the fans and the music, explicitly rejecting the idea of working with Noel. “I’d rather eat my own s— than be in a band with him again,” he told LA Weekly. “He’s a miserable little f—, if you know what I mean.”

9. Liam Ridicules Noel by Calling Him ‘Potato’ Online (2016)

Liam has always been the more outspoken and eccentric of the Gallagher brothers. In 2016, he began posting images of Noel online, referring to him humorously as a “potato.” He did this frequently enough that fans started calling Noel “potato” on social media. While this may not qualify as a traditional argument, it certainly adds an amusing twist to their ongoing rivalry. In 2023, Liam tweeted, “Here’s how I see it: the little fella, aka potato, has done a lot of damage to Oasis as a band/brand. He has a lot of making up to do, not just to me but to you, the fans, the people that put us where we are today as you were. LG x.”

In 2024, Liam decided to conclude the potato saga. When a fan inquired if Noel was still a potato, he replied, “No, he is bloody well not! I won’t have a bad word said about that gorgeous, talented young man.”

10. Liam Offends Noel’s Wife by Calling Her Names (2018)

We could write volumes about the various elements obstructing an Oasis reunion, but one significant factor is the feud between Noel’s current wife, Sara MacDonald, and Liam. Online, Liam has disparaged her, calling her names like “witch,” “d—,” and comparing her to notorious figures like Fred and Rosemary West, infamous British serial killers. To be fair, MacDonald has also called Liam a “deplorable wanker.” Liam even accused her of being a major reason the band had yet to reunite, claiming she took Noel’s passport.

In an interview in 2019, Noel understandably responded to Liam’s remarks, stating, “If you think for one minute I am going to share a stage with you after what you’ve said, you are f—ing more of a moron than you look.”

Bonus: Heartfelt Words from the Gallagher Brothers

We can’t wrap up this discussion without recognizing that, despite their tumultuous relationship, the Gallagher brothers have expressed kind sentiments about each other recently, albeit infrequently. In 2019, Liam stated (via Spin): “Whether I’m digging him out or we’re having a crack at each other, I adored him. I love him. He’s my brother. You know what I mean? You can veer off and go, oh yeah … he said that little bit and that, you know what I mean, but the main core of it is pure love, man.”

Noel echoed similar sentiments in August 2024, shortly after their reunion announcement, saying, “When I would sing a song, it would sound good; when he would sing it, it would sound great. What he did was inspire the kids at the front to do something, do you know what I mean? ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’ And he’s still doing that now.”