SJM granted Knebworth events licence

SJM Concerts, the promoter behind Oasis's reunion tour, has been granted a premises licence for Knebworth House in Hertfordshire, according to reports published on August 6. North Hertfordshire Council approved the licence, and BBC-republished reporting said it came into effect on Saturday and will remain in place indefinitely. (yahoo.com) The timing has drawn attention because Monday, August 10, marks 30 years since Oasis played Knebworth in 1996, one of the defining live moments of the Britpop era. (thecomet.net) Reports by the BBC and local outlet The Comet linked the licence to renewed speculation about whether the site could feature in any future Oasis plans, though no event has been announced. (yahoo.com) ### What exactly has SJM been granted at Knebworth? North Hertfordshire Council granted SJM Concerts a premises licence for Knebworth House, according to the BBC report carried by Yahoo and separate reporting from The Comet. The approval covers events at the site on an ongoing basis rather than for a single named concert date. (yahoo.com) The Comet reported the licence permits live music, recorded music and filming from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m., with late-night refreshment from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Trade publication Access All Areas reported the approval allows events with attendance of up to 125,000. ### Why is Knebworth such a focal point for Oasis fans? (yahoo.com) August 10, 1996, is the date tied to Oasis's landmark Knebworth shows, and Monday marks 30 years since those concerts, according to the BBC report. The venue has long carried symbolic weight in the band's history and in British live music more broadly. Knebworth has also remained part of the broader Oasis orbit in recent years. (yahoo.com) Far Out Magazine noted Liam Gallagher later headlined two nights there in 2022, adding to the venue's role in reunion-era fan speculation. ### Does the licence mean Oasis is definitely playing there? No announcement of an Oasis show at Knebworth has been made by SJM Concerts, Knebworth House or North Hertfordshire Council in the reporting available on August 6. (thecomet.net) The BBC-based report described the licence as a factual development, while follow-on coverage from NME and Rolling Stone UK said it had intensified or made more likely fan rumours of a return. (yahoo.com) The Comet said the licence had "further fuelled rumours" that Oasis could return to the venue next year. That characterization came from the outlet's reporting, not from a public confirmation by the promoter or the band. (faroutmagazine.co.uk) ### What in the paperwork suggests a large-scale event setup? The Comet reported that the application referred to a traffic and transport management plan being produced and included in the event management plan. That language pointed to planning for a large crowd operation rather than a small private function. Access All Areas separately reported that the licence covers attendance of up to 125,000 people. (yahoo.com) Rolling Stone UK also said the licence allows concerts for crowds up to 125,000 and remains in place indefinitely. ### What happens next? August 10 is the next key date because it marks the 30th anniversary of Oasis's Knebworth concerts. (thecomet.net) As of August 6, the public reporting shows a licence is in place, but no Oasis booking, on-sale date or Knebworth event announcement has been published by SJM Concerts or the venue. (yahoo.com) (accessaa.co.uk)