In a poignant moment of solidarity that transcended the typical rock concert experience, legendary British band Oasis paused their performance to honor the young victims of the tragic shooting at Minneapolis‘ Church of the Annunciation. The band’s unexpected tribute occurred during their show on August 27, 2025, the same day as the horrific incident that claimed the lives of two children and left 21 others injured, including 18 children aged 6 to 15.
Music’s power to heal shone as Oasis honored young shooting victims with a moment that united Minneapolis in grief.
As the news of the shooting spread throughout the city, Oasis made the decision to acknowledge the tragedy that had unfolded earlier that morning. The band members stood solemnly on stage as they dedicated their performance of “Live Forever” to 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, the two young victims who lost their lives when a 23-year-old gunman opened fire through the church windows during morning mass.
The shooting, which Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described as an “unspeakable act of evil,” shocked the community particularly because it targeted children just before the start of the school year. Families of the victims were receiving support and reunification services at the nearby Annunciation School while the band performed their tribute across town.
Concert attendees reported an atmosphere of collective grief as the familiar melody of “Live Forever” took on new meaning in the context of lives cut tragically short. The gesture came as the community established memorials outside Annunciation Church to honor the victims. The band’s gesture resonated deeply with the Minneapolis community, which was struggling to process the sudden violence that had erupted in a sacred space where elderly adults in their 80s were also among the injured. The city had established a text-to-donate line through the Minneapolis Foundation to support the victims and their families.
The musical tribute brought wider public attention to the tragedy while offering a moment of collective mourning. This emotional performance demonstrated how musicians can use their artistic platform to contribute meaningfully to community healing beyond traditional income streams. Oasis later shared a visual montage of the tribute on their social media platforms, extending their message of solidarity beyond the concert venue. As investigations into the shooter’s motives continued and security measures intensified around schools and religious sites, Oasis’s act stood as a reminder of how art can serve as a vehicle for remembrance and solidarity in times of profound loss, connecting strangers in shared humanity during moments of community trauma.
