By Josh 
For any musician, the first gig can make or break their passion for music. It’s a moment full of excitement, but also one where nerves and the fear of failure loom large. While Oasis eventually became a household name, their early days weren’t all filled with the confidence and swagger that would later define them. In fact, their first performance left the band feeling mortified.
When Liam Gallagher and guitarist Bonehead Arthurs started what would become Oasis under the name The Rain, they had little industry experience. Liam’s songwriting was raw, and though it wasn’t perfect, it was full of promise. Meanwhile, Noel Gallagher, though a roadie, was still finding his way into the role of bandleader and primary songwriter. Despite this, the brothers’ early music had a unique charm—perhaps more punk than polished—but it resonated with a raw energy that would later be a hallmark of their sound.
One of the earliest songs they worked on was Columbia, which would later become a staple of their live shows. It’s a blend of rock and dance music, with a hypnotic groove meant to get people moving. But when they first played it live, the response was less than enthusiastic. According to Noel, the crowd’s reaction was as cold as “a fucking knackered lift.” The silence that followed was “soul-destroying.” It wasn’t the reception they’d hoped for, and it left them questioning their music.
Despite the lack of response, the song itself was a testament to Oasis’s willingness to experiment. Columbia may only feature three simple chords, but it was a track that thrived on its groove, not the typical pop hooks or standout solos. If listeners were willing to get lost in the rhythm, they could find something special in its repetition and hypnotic drive.
In the studio, the band leaned into this psychedelic approach, with Noel and producer Owen Morris layering guitars to keep the sound engaging. The lack of immediate praise from that first crowd was tough, but it was clear that Oasis wasn’t just playing rock music; they were creating something that crossed genres and explored new territories. It may not have made a splash immediately, but it was the beginning of something unique—a sound that would eventually captivate the world.
In the end, the early gig blunder was just a stepping stone. Oasis’s journey was about growing from those awkward moments and trusting in their instincts, embracing the groove, and letting their music evolve naturally.