Oasis, the biggest British rock band of the 1990s, start their reunion tour in Cardiff on Friday, bringing the feuding Gallagher brothers back together on stage for the first time in nearly 16 years.

The band, whose hits "Live Forever" and "Wonderwall" helped define "Britpop", announced the shows nearly a year ago, setting off a frenzy for tickets.

Guitarist, main songwriter and vocalist Noel Gallagher, 58, told talkSPORT radio last week the band was "sounding huge" in rehearsals.

"This is it, there's no going back," he said.

The group, whose debut album "Definitely Maybe" was released 31 years ago, split in 2009 when Noel said he could no longer work with his younger brother Liam.

The barbs continued, but fans still hoped the band would reform.

Fans started to gather early outside the city's 74,500-capacity Principality stadium, where official Adidas-Oasis football shirts were on sale for £85 (US$116).

"They're more than a band, it's almost like a movement," said Matt Hobman, 48. "It's like a piece of Britishness."

The Gallaghers will be joined by original member Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, as well as Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Joey Waronker. (Reuters)