But unusually for controversial brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, they kept the expletives to a minimum and kept their drinking to little more than water and coffee.

The band were heading a benefit show for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

'Plastic'

The nearest to any controversy at the concert was when Liam Gallagher threw a bottle into the crowd, but even then he apologised.

He told the audience: "It's only plastic."

They had played a low-key gig at the Watford Coliseum the night before.

Also on stage with Oasis at the charity concert was Paul Weller.

The veteran rocker joined them to sing one of their hits Don't Look Back in Anger.

Weller nearly missed his cue, as he was still enjoying the hospitalities in the bar. But the crowd's chant of "Weller, Weller" brought him to the stage.

The band played two new songs, The Hindu Times and Hung in a Bad Place, which were first unveiled on their 10th anniversary Noise and Confusion tour last year.

The show is expected to raise thousands for the charity and will be followed this week by gigs by The Who and Weller.

Love-hate

Oasis, one of the biggest British acts of the 1990s, are due to release a new album later this year.

They will be hoping to revive their fortunes, having seen the Gallagher's private lives accumulating more interest than their music of late.