BBC Sounds is launching a new ten-part podcast series called Mad For Oasis, exploring the enduring legacy of one of Britain’s most iconic bands.
The series arrives as Liam and Noel Gallagher prepare to return to the stage this summer. Mad For Oasis is produced by BBC Local teams at BBC Radio Manchester and is hosted by Noel Gallagher’s daughter, Anais Gallagher.
Each episode features stories from superfans about how Oasis shaped their lives. One contributor is Oxford-based artist Paul Fellows, who first saw the band more than twenty years ago. That experience inspired him to create Oasis-themed artwork that has since helped raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital, where his son once received care.
Paul said: “Oasis have had a massive influence on my life. If someone came up to me in the field of Knebworth and said in twenty-five years’ time, you’re going to meet him on stage and raise money for a great cause, I would never have believed it.”
The podcast also includes Karen from New Ross in Ireland, who has been an Oasis fan since day one. She shared how their music became a bridge to reconnect with her mother, who had dementia. She said: “An Oasis song helped me connect with my mother in a way I never thought I’d be able to again. Happy or sad, it will always be a massive part of me.”
Host Anais Gallagher said: “Obviously, Oasis have always been a big part of my life. But to hear these incredible stories has been amazing. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Chris Burns, Head of Local Audio Commissioning said: “Whether it’s your favourite band reuniting, your football team winning, or losing, our BBC teams live and breathe the rollercoaster of local life with our audiences.
“BBC Radio Manchester really gets to the heart of how this local band made its mark upon ordinary people’s lives and is told fantastically through Anais.”
Artwork for the series is by Manchester artist Stanley Chow. Mad For Oasis is a BBC Local production and will be available on BBC Sounds from today, 1 July.
