Most of Gen-Z were in nappies or short trousers when Oasis split up – but that hasn’t stopped millions of them joining Millennials in the scramble for 2025 gig tickets.
The Gallagher brothers’ return to live music has excited a new generation, so MailOnline has taken to the streets of Britain to find out how much they really know about the era they are embracing.
Along with Britpop’s return, staple items from the 1990s wardrobe including Adidas Samba trainers, bucket hats, puffer jackets and even shellsuits are back in fashion.
Hairdressers have reported an increase in Indie-style cuts for men and Jennifer Aniston‘s ‘Rachel haircut’ from Friends is been adopted again by influencers.
Based on MailOnline’s exclusive poll, it appears that while many Gen-Zers know who was the star of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, what the Yellow Pages was used for is more of a mystery.
Despite Tony Blair inviting Noel Gallagher to Downing Street in 1997 for his ‘Cool Britannia’ party, most of those who took part in MailOnline’s 1990s quiz incorrectly guessed that he defeated Margaret Thatcher and Gordon Brown in his landslide election win that year.
The majority who took part believe Oasis, not Blur, won the famous ‘Battle of the Bands’ in 1995 when Country House and Roll With It were released on the same day.
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MailOnline has taken to the streets of Birmingham and Newcastle to ask Gen-Z, many of whom were wearing items not out of place in the 1990s, whether they knew answers to what many might consider quite simple questions about the era.
But several people in their teens and early twenties still got them wrong.
Several had no idea of the difference between a floppy disc and a cassette tape – and where someone in the 1990s had to put it.
And iconic toys of the era, still sold today, including a Tamagotchi, left several who took part stumped.
Taylor Rippington, 19, guessed it was a musical instrument, a ‘type of Japanese food or a ‘spice’ before giving up.
Rohit Adhav, 24, was shocked when he was told what it was.
When asked what LimeWire was, Shanna Stocks, 25, guessed that it was a type of fishing rod.
And even though almost every household had one in the 1990s, Ella Sutton, 18, hadn’t the foggiest what the Yellow Pages was.
Sam from Lichfield (left) and Rosie, 25, (right) did not get all the questions right
Eugene Williams, 20, had never heard of the former PM who Tony Blair beat in 1997 and said Oasis won the battle of the bands in 1995
Ollie McGrath, 28, got the most answers right
Ella Sutton, 18, didn’t know what band Robbie Williams left to go solo
Hardly any of the Gen-Zers knew one of the most famous faces of the Britpop era when shown to them on a screen, with Stuart McDonnell saying he ‘looked like a standard bloke you would see down the pub. No idea’.
Mr McDonnell was also played one of the most recognisable tones of the 1990s – familiar to millions at the time, guessing it was a ‘broadcast sound’. Trevor Smith, 22, and Ruth Gabbay, 25, thought it was the sound of a ‘phone not connecting’.
For Gen Z, they did not grow up in that era or really experience it – but many have enjoyed listening to its bands and loving the clothes of the Britpop era.
This generation is also streaming cult TV shows of the 1990s like Sex and the City, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files, Saved by the Bell and Seinfeld.
And even classic crisps from the time including Skips, Discos and Nik Naks are tantalising teenagers and twentysomethings who are taking to TikTok and Instagram in droves to stream themselves trying the snacks for the first time.
Incredibly another trend to sweep younger generations appears to be the return of the landline – so they can speak to friends in their bedrooms like in teenage-true-life TV shows from the era.
Oasis’ return has caused a fissure between generations because the chance to see them play again has excited Gen-Z and Millennials as well as some older fans.
Despite the feuding Gallagher brothers seemingly putting their issues aside, it appears that fans of the duo can’t do the same after interest from the generation who grew up after they split
Despite the feuding brother seemingly putting their issues aside, it appears that fans of the band can’t do the same.
A heated debate erupted between Gen Z and Gen X as gig tickets went on sale.
Some middle-aged fans believe younger listeners shouldn’t be allowed to go if they ‘didn’t live through’ the band’s prime in the nineties and 2000s.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) Brits of all ages gave their thoughts, with some insisting that tickets should to ‘over 40s only’.
One wrote: ‘Wincing at all the under 25’s jumping on the Oasis bandwagon. If you didn’t live through it the first time you’ve got to sit this one out for the dads and the aging indie kids. Sorry I don’t make the rules.’
Another said: ‘First dibs at Oasis tickets should go to the over 40s only. What do you reckon?’
‘There needs to be a solid selling structure on these Oasis tickets & by that I mean Gen Z are banned from buying them’, a third said.
A North Face Nuptse 1996 jacket is the perfect retro-inspired puffer. It is part of the Gen-Z uniform then and was a staple in the 1990s too
Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders in Absolutely Fabulous. Similar fashion styles are coming back
Vintage fashion is also a huge and growing money-spinning market.
Stroll through any major UK city and check out what everyone’s wearing – you may feel you’ve been transported back to the 1990s.
That’s when Hollywood stars were Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt; Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders were on TV in AbFab; and we were listening to Madonna and the Spice Girls.
Slip dresses, cargo trousers, slingback heels and combat boots which are all now back in fashion.
And clothes in your wardrobe you’ve thought little of for the past three decades are now called vintage 90s wear.
Susie Nelson, of vintage boutique Modes & More in Westminster, told the Mail earlier this year: ‘Gen Z and Millennials can’t remember the 90s but this resurgence in fashion from the decade means they can incorporate these past styles into their contemporary wardrobe.’
Last week MailOnline reported on how some of the UK’s best classic crisps are even back in fashion.
One of the major winners of the trend is manufacturer Smiths, whose famous bacon flavoured Frazzles are now 48 percent more popular compared to last year, while their salty Chipsticks are 42 percent more in demand, the Times reported.
Prawn cocktail flavoured Skips are 42 percent more popular, with Discos and NikNaks seeing a 15 and six percent rise respectively.
A new trend amongst young people is pairing crisps with different wines or other drinks
Gen Zers and Millennials are taking to social media to ‘taste test’ retro flavours of crisps
Prawn cocktail flavoured Skips are 42 percent more popular than in 2024, data from Ocado showed
Social media influencers are partly behind the rise in demand, with many posting ‘FoodToks’ online – TikTok videos in which they typically try new foods and describe their reactions.
Other users share recipe ideas and pairing tips, or lengthier reviews of different brands.
Recently popular TikTok accounts have been encouraging their followers to add crisps such as Frazzles to their food to provide extra flavour and crunch.