Oasis return sparks tourism nightmare: Edinburgh feels like an overrun theme park

Oasis have stormed back into Scotland, wielding nostalgia and drawing massive crowds. Thousands of fans have poured into Edinburgh for the band’s first Scottish concerts in 16 years. The sold-out shows at Murrayfield Stadium—set for Friday, Saturday and Tuesday—mark an extraordinary reunion for the beloved Mancunian rock act.

Excitement in the capital reached fever pitch as a dramatic drone display of the band’s iconic logo lit up the skies above Murrayfield ahead of the opening night. The spectacle electrified the city, signalling the return of rock to Scotland. From around the UK and as far afield as the U.S., Sweden, Italy and Canada, fans flocked to attend. A couple from Minnesota, for instance, shelled out thousands to make the pilgrimage.

The economic impact is staggering. Organisers estimate Edinburgh will benefit by up to £136 million from the three-night run—double the haul from Taylor Swift’s recent shows at the same venue. Anticipated spending includes £32 million on food and drink, £27.5 million on retail and leisure, and £6.2 million on accommodation.

But amid the triumph lies tension. Edinburgh City Council sparked outrage when internal documents described fans as “overweight, middle-aged men who drink too much”—a characterisation that drew accusations of classism. Onstage, frontman Liam Gallagher lashed out with brutal words, calling council officials “f*****g slags,” while Richard Ashcroft joined the defence, mocking the out-of-touch assumptions. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray publicly condemned the remarks, deeming them “snobby” and discriminatory.

Meanwhile, the city’s infrastructure is creaking under the weight of this swelling mass of visitors. Hotel and Airbnb prices have soared—nearly doubling to an average of £613 for the first concert night. Fringe performers report that high accommodation costs are pushing them to extremes: some are resorting to camping or sleeping in cars. Locals grumble that Edinburgh feels like a theme park, overwhelmed and unlivable amid the crush of tourists.

Transit systems felt the strain too, but ScotRail stepped up. It added extra train services to and from Edinburgh to manage the influx and ensure fans reached—and dispersed from—Murrayfield without chaos.

As gate opening approached, dedicated fans queued for hours—some for over ten—eager for prime standing spots or vintage merch. The atmosphere brimmed with emotion: from “Britpop dads” living out youthful dreams to younger generations discovering Oasis via social media, the crowd painted a generational tapestry of devotion.

These shows are part of Oasis’s global “Live ’25 Tour,” tracing a path across continents. After Edinburgh, the band heads to Ireland, then on to Canada, the U.S., Asia, Australia and South America.

In sum, Oasis’s return to Scotland has become more than a concert series—it’s a seismic cultural event. Nostalgia collides with modern urban burnout, and while economic benefits shine, debates over class and public disruption endure. In this city of contrasts, the echoes of “Wonderwall” ripple through a city simultaneously uplifted, unsettled, and utterly alive.