Knebworth

Pressing Play

Hello you. Make a cup of tea, put a record on. Welcome to The A to Z of Britpop, your introduction to the bands, music, and characters that defined the most exciting genre of the 1990s. In this article, we look back at Oasis at Knebworth 1996, the historic two-night event that captured the spirit of Britpop at its peak. Over 250,000 fans gathered at Knebworth House to witness Oasis at the height of their powers, in what became the biggest concerts in British music history.

Britpop was built on personalities, fierce rivalries, soundbites, and of course, the music that defined a decade. It captured the restless energy of the country and signaled a wave of optimism across the UK that had been missing for years.

Each entry in this series is a fact file, giving you the key details: who they were, where they came from, and what they made. It’s the perfect starting point for revisiting the era if you were there or figuring out why your mum or dad keeps going on about it.

Overview

• Event: Oasis at Knebworth 1996
  Date: August 10–11, 1996
  Location: Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, England
  Attendance: 250,000 (125,000 per night)
  Tickets: £22.50 each (changing hands for up to 15 times face value on the day)
  Support acts:

• August 10 (Saturday): The Bootleg Beatles, The Chemical Brothers, Ocean Colour Scene, The Prodigy, Manic Street Preachers

• August 11 (Sunday): Cast, Dreadzone, Kula Shaker, Manic Street Preachers, The Charlatans (with Martin Duffy replacing Rob Collins)

Background and Build-Up

• Announced in May 1996, the Knebworth shows followed the monumental success of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? and Oasis’s meteoric rise to fame.

• Tickets went on sale on May 11, 1996, with 2.6 million applications for just 250,000 tickets—5% of the UK population.

• Oasis became the biggest British band since The Beatles, playing to the largest-ever UK concert crowd.

Rise to Prominence

• Noel Gallagher opened both nights with the now-iconic line: "Right here, right now, this is history."

• Oasis premiered two new tracks: "It’s Gettin’ Better (Man!!)" and "My Big Mouth," which later appeared on Be Here Now.

• The encore featured John Squire of The Stone Roses on "Champagne Supernova" and "I Am the Walrus."

• VIP attendees included Kate Moss, Jarvis Cocker, Anna Friel, Ant and Dec, Mick Hucknall, and Martine McCutcheon.

The Setlist

• Intro: "The Swamp Song"

• "Columbia"

• "Acquiesce"

• "Supersonic"

• "Hello"

• "Some Might Say"

• "Roll With It"

• "Slide Away"

• "Morning Glory"

• "Round Are Way"

• "Cigarettes & Alcohol"

• "Whatever"

• "Cast No Shadow" (dedicated to Rob Collins of The Charlatans)

• "Wonderwall"

• "The Masterplan"

• "Don’t Look Back in Anger"

• "My Big Mouth"

• "It’s Gettin’ Better (Man!!)"

• "Live Forever"
  Encore:

• "Champagne Supernova" (featuring John Squire)

• "I Am the Walrus" (The Beatles cover)

Commercial Success and Cultural Impact

• Oasis at Knebworth cemented their status as “The Biggest Band in the World” and represented the peak of Britpop’s cultural dominance.

• Set against the backdrop of Euro ’96, New Labour’s ascent, and Cool Britannia, the event captured the collective energy of the UK at the time.

• Noel Gallagher later reflected that Knebworth marked the zenith of the band’s career, after which finding a new direction proved challenging.

Notable Facts

• Historic Ticket Sales: 2.6 million applications for tickets made this the largest demand for a UK concert in history.

• Tribute to Rob Collins: "Cast No Shadow" was dedicated to The Charlatans’ keyboardist, who had tragically passed away three weeks earlier.

• VIP Attendance: Over 7,000 VIPs attended, rivaling the scale of many concerts of the era.

• Unforgettable Encore: John Squire’s guest appearance on "Champagne Supernova" remains one of Britpop’s most iconic live moments.

Defining Lyric

"Where were you while we were getting high?" - Champagne Supernova (1995)

Essential Listening

• "Champagne Supernova" (1995): A euphoric closer and highlight of the Knebworth sets.

• "Some Might Say" (1995): A defining Britpop anthem and live favorite.

• "Don’t Look Back in Anger" (1995): Unified 250,000 fans in a moment of unforgettable euphoria.

Why You Should Be Listening Now

Oasis at Knebworth was a cultural milestone that captured the energy of a generation and the spirit of an era. The music remains timeless, and the 2021 documentary ensures the magic of that weekend will continue to inspire.

See you on down the road.