They still rank among the biggest gigs in UK history. But Oasis’ 250,000-strong Knebworth crowds were nothing compared to some of these whoppers
Oasis are set to make a triumphant return to Knebworth, 30 years after their legendary performances of August 1996. Insiders say the Gallagher brothers are planning five shows there next summer, as the Daily Star revealed this week.
The band went down in history when they played for an incredible 250,000 fans at the site in Herts. But how would that compare to the biggest gigs of all time? Let’s take a look…
1. Rod Stewart set the mammoth gig record when he played for an estimated 4.2million fans in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. He performed on Copacabana Beach as part of New Year’s celebrations on December 31, 1994.
After finishing with a stonking version of Sailing, he was too exhausted to return for an encore.
2. French electronic pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre performed for 3.5million spectators at Moscow State University in 1997.
The September 6 show, arranged to mark the Russian capital’s 850 th anniversary, took place on a stage at the entrance to the building. It lasted a gruelling three hours.
3. He might not be big news in Britain, but Jorge Ben Jor is famed as an icon of Brazilian music. So it makes sense that the local lad would draw a crowd – a whopping 3million people, in fact – for his New Year’s show on Copacabana Beach.
The legendary performance took place on December 31, 1993.
4. Jean-Michel Jarre makes the list again with another colossal gig from 1990. His July 14 show, held to mark Bastille Day, attracted 2.5million fans to the La Défense business district in Paris.
5. Lady Gaga joined the ranks of live music titans when she played for a reported 2.1million fans, again at Copacabana Beach.
The free show, on May 3 this year, was part of a bid to revitalise the local economy. It is said to have boosted the city’s coffers by £75million.
6. A massive 2001 gig by Italian singer-songwriter Antonello Venditti was a truly historic occasion.
It took place at Rome’s Circo Massimo, an ancient site once used for chariot racing and mass entertainment, and attracted 1.8million fans celebrating AS Roma’s championship victory.
7. Heavy metal festival Monsters of Rock brought another mega concert to Moscow on September 28, 1991.
The show – featuring AC/DC, Metallica, Pantera and Black Crowes – drew 1.6million headbanging spectators to the city’s Tushino Airfield.
8. Madonna joined the Copacabana crowd on May 4, 2024, with a show that attracted a reported 1.6million fans.
The performance, in a setting she called the “most beautiful place in the world,” was the final stop on her Celebration Tour, marking her 40 years in music.
9. The Rolling Stones gave us the largest ever concert by a single rock band with their Copacabana Beach turn in 2006.
Around 1.5million fans saw them breaking out hits like (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction in the epic performance, released in 2021 as a live DVD.
10. Held in 11 countries on July 2, 2005, Live 8 drew much bigger crowds than the original 1985 Live Aid shows.
The largest was in Philadelphia, featuring the likes of Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi, Linkin Park and Stevie Wonder, and attracted 1.5million spectators.
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