Oasis back at Slane — but not everyone is ready to rock

Oasis are heading back to Slane Castle for two concerts next September, promising another summer of superstar music — and another major chapter in the village’s remarkable concert history.

The announcement has prompted huge excitement among fans, while also renewing questions about the impact of large-scale concerts on the local community.

The Gallagher brothers will perform at Slane on Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5, 2027, as part of their Oasis Live ’27 tour.

The concerts will follow two performances by Fontaines D.C. at the castle in June, meaning Slane is facing another significant summer of major music events.

Oasis previously supported R.E.M. at Slane in 1995 before returning as headliners in 2009, when they played to approximately 80,000 people.

The announcement has been welcomed by Fianna Fáil councillor and Slane publican Wayne Harding, who said Oasis had a particularly strong connection with the village.

“Oasis probably, of all the bands, have the biggest connection with Slane. They have played there before and, of course, the Gallagher family have links to the area as well,” he said.

Cllr Harding highlighted the economic benefits generated by concerts of this scale, as well as the international profile they bring to the village, but said those benefits had to be balanced with the impact on residents, particularly traffic, access and disruption.

Two Luke Combs concerts at the venue in 2026 were preceded by public meetings involving residents and event organisers. A €61,000 community fund was also established, alongside residents’ booklets and passes and arrangements relating to traffic management and local access.

Cllr Harding said the community fund should be increased to reflect the scale of future concerts, while communication with residents should continue to improve.

He said the goodwill towards Slane concerts had to be maintained and that residents needed to feel listened to and see the benefits shared.

However, Slane resident Ronan Coleman said he welcomed the return of Oasis but questioned whether residents had been given a meaningful opportunity to discuss next year’s plans.

Mr Coleman said the public meetings held in March and April related to the Luke Combs concerts in 2026, rather than the four concerts now planned for 2027.

“I’m delighted they’re coming to Slane,” he said. “But responsible public representation isn’t simply celebrating an economic boom after the deals are done. It’s putting all the facts before your community first, allowing people to discuss them and building a consensus around a fair, transparent and lasting community benefit.”

He also questioned the proposed community contribution and suggested that a small amount from each ticket sold could provide a clearer and more scalable funding arrangement.

“Maybe Slane would have wanted 50 cent. Maybe €1. Maybe something completely different,” he said. “That’s the point. Nobody asked us.”

Mr Coleman said the proposed additional contribution for the fourth concert was €11,000.

“At 80,000 tickets that €11,000 represents 13.75 cent per ticket,” he said.

“At an illustrative €250 average ticket price, €20 million in ticket sales produces the equivalent of €550 for Slane for every €1 million sold, before ancillary revenues.”

He added: “By the time Slane gets around a table, the acts are announced, dates committed and tickets selling.”

Superintendent Martina Noonan said major concerts at Slane should not present a policing issue, provided there was local buy-in from the outset.

She said the policing plan used for the Luke Combs concerts in 2026 would form the basis for future events, with adjustments made where necessary.

While the announcement is likely to delight fans, ticket prices are also expected to raise eyebrows, ranging from €181.25 to €501.25, including booking fees!