Oasis gigs underpin more than 9% rise in card spending
New data from digital bank Revolut shows Oasis fans continued to spend despite soaring hotel prices and efforts by city centre businesses to cash in on the occasion, with card spending soaring by more than 9% as a result of the two Dublin gigs.
Marking the first time in over 16 years since the band played in Ireland, the Oasis gig also underpinned a more than 8% rise in the volume of card transactions, with spending of this magnitude not being witnessed since Taylor Swift performed at the Aviva Stadium in June 2024.
In addition, over 16% more was spent in Dublin bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs over the weekend compared to the previous one.
Anticipation had been building across the capital throughout August, Revolut said, with a pop-up store on St Stephen's Green setting the tone since opening in early August, as fans scrambled for sought-after Oasis merch.
Over the last two weekends, merchandise stores in Dublin recorded hundreds of thousands of euros in revenue, which is likely due to the store's lengthy queues. Owing to popular demand, the pop-up store has since announced extended dates.
While spending on public transportation was down 9% across the rest of Ireland, it rose dramatically by over 120% in Dublin as Irish Oasis fans descended upon the capital for the gigs. Taxi drivers also benefited from the concerts, with a 15% uplift in revenues last weekend.
Dublin sales of store-bought beer, wine, and liquor also rose by over a third compared to the previous weekend.
Furthermore, Dublin restaurants, pubs, and licensed stores also saw a boost in sales across the weekend, with Revolut's business customers recording an increase in revenues. Of these, the 'food, beverages or tobacco' industries experienced a notable 2% uplift when compared with the previous weekend.
'Consumer spending of this level in just one weekend sends a very strong signal about the confidence of our more than 3m customers in Ireland," said General Manager at Revolut Bank UAB - Ireland Branch, Malcolm Craig.
"Last weekend highlights the value of attracting genuine A-listers to Ireland and that Revolut remains Irish people's preferred way to spend.'
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