It's 2029 and Oasis are about to reform for a one off gig that nobody wants to miss. Set to be the greenest live event ever, the gig will take place on a wind turbine eco-island out in the North Sea. Rachel is on a break from her husband, looking to find herself. Dave is hoping to relive his youth with his three high school friends. Bryan has an entirely different plan in mind. Can such an ambitious concert go off without a hitch? Or have the organisers bitten off more than they can chew?

This book caught my eye on NetGalley because I've got tickets to see Oasis in Melbourne later this year, and what better way to help build excitement (as if I need any help!) I must admit, I considered giving up after the first few chapters because I found it hard to get into and wasn't really gelling with the characters. I decided to give it a bit longer though and found myself enjoying it more as things moved on.

Characterwise in this one my favourites were the festival organisers. I found them to be the most entertaining, and a brilliant characature of the money hungry live entertainment industry. The rest of the characters were OK, but nothing out of the ordinary in my eyes. Maybe this is the tone Carroll was going for, but I found them to be very mundane (particularly Rachel, Dave and their friends).

The setting was great. It definitely did take me back to the festival days of my youth, which is a wealth of memories in itself. There's a certain something about music festivals that you either love or hate, there's no middle ground. Carroll has definitely encapsulated a lot of the festival bingo card as it were that nearly everyone who spent time in those environments would have experienced along the way - good, bad and ugly.

There's some highly entertaining moments throughout this one, but also aspects that I found a bit slow going. Overall I enjoyed the read though, and am likely to check out some of Carroll's back catalogue next time I want something light and humorous to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and DreamEngine Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A nostalgic idea that didn't quite resonate with me -
as a fan of Paul Carroll's previous works, this one fell short of expectations.

Still, Oasis fans might find hidden gems within its alternate timeline.

Not a massive fan of Oasis but that didn’t matter as this book was so much fun it actually made me more of a fun
Enjoyable read for anyone who has ever been to a concert or festival and at times was laughing out loud
Really enjoyable

This was meant to be the festival of all festivals. Oasis playing a reunion gig on a wind turbine eco island. However, while the stakes are high for those involved and problem solving is up there amongst other things, the festival goers have their own problems. Rachel is there with her friend Justine as she is on a trial break from her husband. He loves Oasis but she took the opportunity whilst he stayed at home with their son. Then you have the 4 Mancs school friends who are trying to turn back time and regain their youth. Throw in some activists who want to disrupt the gig and a government minister for good measure. Will this gig be able to live up to the hype and expectations? You will need to read it to see.

Ok with the hype over the Oasis reunion gigs I was excited for this book. It did have some funny parts but also it had a serious side as well as an eco message. The characters were not really likeable, apart from Justine as they were all quite selfish in my opinion. This was a slow starter for me and whilst I get the government minister had a major part I just feel like she wasn’t needed as a character. Maybe I’m wrong though as reading is subjective. I didn’t like all of the book but some parts were good so 3.5 stars for this one.

Not the most literary work, but hilarious.
Lots of in jokes for Oasis fans, and the correct mix of good luck and disaster.
An alternative view of what might happen (or might have happened if you are reading this after the 2025 reunion).
My thanks to the author for the laughs and guffaws that the book has brought me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Paul Carroll’s Be Here Now is a sharp and funny satire that imagines an Oasis reunion gig on a wind-powered eco-island in 2029. It’s a clever premise, but the real strength lies in how Carroll explores the people drawn to this bizarre event—from middle-aged fans chasing nostalgia to activists out to expose the whole thing.

The humour is dry and smart, and while the story pokes fun at greenwashing and corporate nonsense, it also finds real warmth in its characters. Carroll balances satire with sincerity, making this more than just a spoof—it’s also a reflection on growing older, chasing meaning, and letting go of the past.

A smart, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest, unbiased review.

For middle aged fans of open air festivals, and of course, Oasis gigs. It would be a good book to pass the hours on a beach while on vacation. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Be Here Now is a worthy addition to any summer beach read and any fan of Oasis.
Let's see, I was given a copy from DreamEngine Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is within a yard's stretch of four stars. Paul Carroll could be Ben Elton or any similar author who can create a complete book with relatable characters, charming foibles, and small, relatable goals. I feel the story was a little messy. Let's get to that.

We have four Mancunian men aiming to relive their youth through Oasis. Two are okay, two are born-again losers. They're middle-aged, putting much of their youth and nostalgia into this gig. We also have two women going through a midlife crisis. They won a VIP pass and want this gig to leave a lasting impression. We then have top brass and a government minister, who organise this green-powered Oasis gig to showcase Britain's green credentials. Finally, we have eco/populist terrorists looking to upset this multimillion-pound one-off gig on an island off the North Sea.

Was it readable? Absolutely! Was it intelligent to wield all the chapters around an Oasis track? Absolutely! Was the story credible? Not particularly. Did I stay until the gig took place? For sure. Would I read another of Carroll's book? Definitely, maybe.

An Oasis reunion gig on an oil rig…..all the usual suspects are there. 90’s lads reliving their youth and plenty more. I am guessing this won’t really translate to this summers actual gigs but it is a fun romp nevertheless. Not the usual sort of novel I would enjoy but OH would so I will get him a copy on publication. A fun light hearted read.

Oasis made a spectacular comeback, sending their fans into a frenzy with a one-off gig. In an effort to be eco-friendly, they performed on a wind turbine island in the middle of the North Sea.
The book is very tongue-in-cheek, featuring amusing characters and plenty of laughs.
I enjoyed the satirical elements throughout. While it may not be as great as some books I've read, it was enjoyable enough for a relaxed read while sunbathing.

An unusual premises for a novel.
Set slightly in the future.
Oasis will play on an island of the UK.
What could possibly go wrong?
Think Fyre but more British
Most enjoyable novel covering stereotypes from all walks of life.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in return for my honest review

This is the first book I've read by Paul Carroll and the blurb was what attracted me to it. The characters resonated as a 50 something myself and while I'm not an Oasis fan, the story being built around a comeback concert was interesting. I liked Paul Carroll's writing style and I liked the humour that he brought to the characters and the story. I really enjoyed it, I definitely recommend it and I'll be looking to read by him in future.

An amusing look at what could have happened if Oasis reunited for a gig in 2029. Cleverly written with a different spin. This is imagined as a one off concert 'festival' on an oil rig in the north sea. What could possible go wrong? Pretty much everything.
I imagine that Paul Carroll started writing this before Oasis announced their reunion. However, as this is a different spin on the reformation it really doesn't matter. For an easy and light hearted read for the summer give this a go!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Hilarious read for anyone looking forward to the Oasus gigs this summer.

An exclusive gig on an eco island in the North Sea.

Oasis re-forming just for this?

What could possibly go wrong?

Everything you could imagine - and plenty you couldn't

Hysterical

A funny and entertaining read. Great for anyone who’s looking forward to the big Oasis reunion this summer.

Many thanks for allowing me to read and review this terrific novel.