'Oasis gigs prove Knebworth is world's best venue'

The owner of Knebworth House declared it the "greatest music venue in the world" after Oasis announced their return.

The band will be back at the Hertfordshire stately home, scene of their legendary 1996 gigs, to play four nights in September 2027.

Estate owner Henry Lytton Cobbold said he was "thrilled to bits" after hearing via social media that Liam and Noel Gallagher had confirmed the band's comeback.

"For many, many years now we've wanted them to come back and we're delighted that they chose to come back in '27," he said.

Knebworth will be the final stop on Oasis's 38-date tour, which starts in May and features venues in Europe and the US.

Ticket prices for the gigs on 11, 12, 18 and 19 September, featuring special guest Richard Ashcroft, start at £170.50.

"It's good news for everybody and that's the great thing about Oasis; recently they're really trying to give the people what they want," Lytton Cobbold said.

His wife Martha had already urged the Gallagher brothers to fix their infamous rift and return together when Liam performed there in 2022, telling him the 1996 gig had covered the cost of roof repairs.

"[Liam] said to my wife, 'What did you do with all the dosh?' and she said, 'Well, you just passed it. There it is, up on the roof,'" Lytton Cobbold said.

The four shows will be a record-breaking spectacle, with Robbie Williams's three-day run in 2003 holding the current attendance record.

Led Zeppelin and Queen have also played at Knebworth, but when Oasis performed to 250,000 people over two nights in August 1996, it was regarded as Britpop's crowning moment.

"This is the greatest music venue in the world," Lytton Cobbold said.

"I know I'm slightly biased in saying that, but we've got the legacy, we've got the heritage."

He hopes money generated by the concerts will help to further restore Knebworth House, after those in 1996 funded two new turrets – now jokingly named Noel and Liam.

"The national treasure is supporting another national treasure. We're absolutely delighted," the estate owner said.

He believed Oasis's return to Knebworth would be "the big weekend" of the 2020s.

Lytton Cobbold added: "For this one, I think I'm in the mosh pit.

"For others maybe I'd be on the roof, but for this one I will definitely be down at the front."

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