“I talk almost exclusively about the Swindon Oasis, I travel round the country talking about the leisure centre that you named your great band after,” Graham tells him.
Gallagher replies: “Liam named the band, not me.”
Graham responds: “That’s a fantastic response, we’ll build from here.”
While the exchange was light-hearted, it refers to one of Swindon’s more unusual claims to fame.
The Oasis Leisure Centre opened on 1 January 1976. It became known for its glazed dome and lagoon-style swimming pool.
The venue also included a gym, bar and a concert hall with space for around 3,000 people. It later received Grade II listed status due to its architectural significance.
The centre closed in November 2020. Campaigners have continued efforts to secure its restoration.
The link to the Manchester band dates back to the early 1990s.
Before finding fame, the group performed as The Rain. Liam Gallagher suggested the name Oasis after seeing a tour poster for Inspiral Carpets which listed the Swindon venue.
The poster was displayed in the bedroom he shared with his brother Noel. The band adopted the name in 1991.
Oasis went on to become one of Britain’s most successful rock bands, selling more than 100 million records worldwide and defining the Britpop era.
Graham, who is also known as a Swindon Town supporter, has frequently referenced the town’s Oasis connection in his work.
His latest social media exchange has once again placed the former leisure centre back into the conversation, highlighting its small but notable role in British music history.
