Music
Expert reveals 3/1 favourite for Liam’s opening Cardiff word
As excitement reaches fever pitch ahead of the long-awaited Oasis reunion, betting markets have opened on a question only Liam Gallagher could make headline-worthy: what will be the first word he says on stage?
With the band’s opening night set for July 4th 2025 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, odds suggest “Alright” is the frontrunner at 3/1 (25%), capturing the anticipation of fans hoping for a familiar, no-nonsense Liam welcome.
Dave James, odds analyst at Whataretheodds.co.uk, said:
The first word out of Liam’s mouth might seem like a novelty market, but it’s one that fans are engaging with in a big way. ‘Alright’ has that classic Gallagher energy and feels like the natural opener. But with this band, nothing is ever entirely predictable – don’t rule out a dramatic ‘Oasis’ or a crowd-pumping ‘Come on’ either.
Also strongly fancied are “Oasis”, “Hello”, and “Come” – all tied at 4/1 (20%), with fans speculating whether Liam will kick things off with swagger, sentimentality, or a cheeky nod to the band’s legacy.
The build-up to the Cardiff gig has been massive, with tickets selling out in minutes – and many fans reporting technical problems during the initial release.
The show marks the first time Oasis will perform together since their dramatic split in August 2009, when a backstage fight between Liam and Noel Gallagher in Paris led to the band’s sudden demise.
Now, nearly 16 years later, they’re back – and fans are hanging on every detail, including what will be said first when Liam walks back onto a stadium stage under the Oasis banner.
With phrases like “Let’s”, “How”, “It’s”, “We” and “Guess” all priced at 5/1 (16.7%) or shorter, the market is wide open – just like the setlist and reunion itself. One thing is certain: July 4th in Cardiff will go down as one of the most anticipated nights in British music history
1st Word Liam Gallagher Will Say on Stage on July 4th 2025
| Word | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Alright | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Oasis | 4/1 | 20.0% |
| Hello | 4/1 | 20.0% |
| Come | 4/1 | 20.0% |
| Let’s | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| How | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Have | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| It’s | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| We | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Guess | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Who | 6/1 | 14.3% |
The John Lewis Christmas advert only dropped on Tuesday but its emotional new soundtrack is already shaking up the festive betting markets, writes Dave James.
Bookies have slashed the odds on Labrinth’s version of Where Love Lives becoming the 2025 Christmas Number One, cutting it from 25/1 to just 3/1 after an explosion of online searches, Shazams, and playlist adds within hours of the ad’s release.
This year’s advert, titled “Where Love Lives,” tells the touching story of a dad and his son who find their way back to each other through the gift of music. It’s based on the simple insight that as a nation, we often struggle to express how we feel but at Christmas, something in us wants to try.
At the emotional heart of the film is a reimagined version of Alison Limerick’s 1990s house anthem Where Love Lives, slowed down, stripped back, and beautifully rebuilt by Labrinth into a soulful reflection on connection, nostalgia and love.
Within hours of the advert’s debut, Labrinth’s version began trending across TikTok, YouTube and Spotify, with fans describing it as “the most moving John Lewis soundtrack yet.”
Bookmakers now believe the momentum could carry the track all the way to the top of the Christmas charts:
Labrinth’s Where Love Lives Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| To be 2025 Christmas Number One | 3/1 |
| To reach UK Top 10 | 5/1 |
| Labrinth’s Where Love Lives to reach UK Top 40 | 6/1 |
Dave James, spokesperson for What Are The Odds said:
“Every year, a John Lewis soundtrack becomes the emotional heartbeat of Christmas but Labrinth’s version feels like a genuine contender for Number One. It bridges generations with a track that’s both nostalgic and deeply moving.”
In a nod to the original, John Lewis has released both versions of Where Love Lives on an exclusive black 12” vinyl, available only in-store.
Side A features Alison Limerick’s iconic club classic, while Side B showcases Labrinth’s reimagined version from the advert, a perfect gift for music and Christmas fans alike.
Despite Labrinth’s late charge, it’s Wham! who remain firm favourites at 1/2 with Last Christmas a seasonal juggernaut that finally claimed its first Christmas Number One in 2023, nearly four decades after its release.
With streaming figures expected to soar again this December, punters still believe George Michael’s timeless classic will reign supreme.
However, the buzz around the John Lewis advert means Labrinth could yet mount an upset, echoing the chart success of past festive soundtracks such as Lily Allen’s Somewhere Only We Know and Aurora’s Half the World Away.
Christmas Number One Odds
| Artist / Song | Odds |
|---|---|
| Wham! – Last Christmas | 1/2 |
| KPop Demon Hunters | 2/1 |
| Labrinth – Where Love Lives | 3/1 |
| Ed Sheeran | 4/1 |
| Sabrina Carpenter | 6/1 |
| Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia | 8/1 |
| LadBaby | 10/1 |
| Sidemen | 12/1 |
From Lily Allen’s Somewhere Only We Know to Aurora’s Half the World Away, John Lewis has a rich history of turning its adverts into chart-topping moments.
With Labrinth’s Where Love Lives, the retailer might just have found its most powerful soundtrack yet and if the early betting markets are right, it could be heading straight for Christmas Number One.
Speculation over more Oasis reunion shows has reached fever pitch after Liam Gallagher hinted at Wembley that fans could see the band back on stage again in 2026.
Online bookmakers have now slashed the odds on Oasis returning to Knebworth, the site of their legendary 1996 concerts to just 1/5.
The rumours follow the band’s triumphant string of reunion shows, which have been hailed as one of the biggest comebacks in music history. Fans have flooded social media with excitement and theories about what could be next for the Manchester icons.
Oasis are now 1/5 favourites to play Knebworth again next year, while they are even money (1/1) to perform at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, marking 30 years since their iconic Maine Road gigs.
Such odds reflect growing confidence that the Gallagher brothers are gearing up for another major announcement.
“Next year marks 30 years since the brothers’ legendary Knebworth shows, and their unforgettable nights at Maine Road. With such a milestone ahead, it would be the perfect time for Oasis to extend their record-breaking tour after the phenomenal reaction so far.”
The reunion has already reignited a wave of nostalgia across the UK, with millions clamouring for tickets and venues selling out within minutes.
Industry insiders believe a return to Knebworth, a site forever linked with the band’s 90s dominance would be the ultimate celebration of their legacy.
Fan speculation intensified further when Liam Gallagher deleted a cryptic X post hinting at “unfinished business,” while Noel Gallagher dodged questions about a Knebworth return during a recent interview.
The brothers’ newfound chemistry on stage has only fuelled hopes that more shows are inevitable.
For now, the odds suggest something big could be in the works. With bookies pricing a Knebworth comeback as near-certain and Manchester gigs at 50-50, Oasis fans may want to start marking their 2026 calendars because the Gallagher brothers could be preparing to make history all over again.
Taylor Swift has lifted the lid on her fears that happiness might kill her creativity – but her brand new album The Life of a Showgirl proves she can still write a smash without heartbreak.
The superstar, 35, admitted she once worried her best lyrics came from turbulent relationships, but now says she’s learned that contentment can be just as inspiring. The confession has reignited the age-old debate about whether misery really makes music magic.
To settle the score, one expert has gone so far as to crunch the numbers – and even put betting-style odds on whether heartbreak or happiness is more likely to create a hit.
Dave James from Whataretheodds.co.uk comments:
“We’d now make heartbreak a 3/1 outsider when it comes to producing a hit, compared with odds-on at 1/2 for songs born out of happy times. Taylor’s new record is living proof that joy doesn’t kill creativity – in fact, it often fuels it.”
He added: “Listeners want escapism and optimism right now. In 2025, we’re seeing a trend where upbeat anthems are outperforming ballads by nearly 40% on streaming platforms. It’s clear that fans are craving feel-good music.”
Music psychologist Dr Karen Evans agrees, adding: “There’s a misconception that great art has to come from pain. But happiness can give artists a fresh perspective and the freedom to experiment – which often resonates even more with listeners.”
She continued: “Emotion is emotion — whether it’s joy or heartbreak, both can inspire. But it’s refreshing to see someone like Taylor openly embracing happiness as part of her creative process.”
Music blogger and pop culture writer Leanne Peters added: “The old idea that artists have to suffer to succeed feels outdated. People connect to authenticity more than sadness now — and Swift’s latest album captures that perfectly.”
Fans have also weighed in. One Twitter user posted: “Taylor’s proven you can still write a banger without a breakup – she’s basically rewritten the pop rulebook.” Another joked: “If happiness sounds like The Life of a Showgirl, then I hope she stays happy forever.”
The theory is backed up by other stars. Adele has spoken about how motherhood reshaped her songwriting, while Ed Sheeran penned global hits about family life.
Pharrell’s Happy became one of the best-selling singles of the 21st century – proof that upbeat anthems can dominate just as much as ballads.
With The Life of a Showgirl already tipped to break records, it seems the odds are stacked firmly in favour of happiness – and Swift’s latest work might just change the way we think about where hits really come from.