Melissa Bell, CNN’s correspondent in France, has authored “Sous l’influence americaine,” an investigation into American interference in France and Europe. Her work will be featured on a France 24 programme, discussing how this influence is felt across the continent and what it means for the upcoming 2027 French presidential election campaign. This external pressure raises questions about national sovereignty and the ability of European nations to chart their own course, free from foreign meddling.
External Forces in National Politics
The France 24 programme, produced by Amanda Alexander, Marina Pajovic, and Georgina Robertson, aims to explore the extent of this American influence. It will specifically address what to expect during the 2027 French presidential election campaign, a critical moment for national self-determination. Such discussions underscore the persistent challenges to European nations maintaining their distinct political identities and controlling their own democratic processes. The very notion of national elections becomes compromised when external actors are perceived to be shaping the discourse.
Meanwhile, a different kind of cross-border influence continues to sweep across Europe, often overshadowing more pressing national concerns. The British band Oasis has announced additional dates for the second leg of their reunion tour in 2027. This tour will now include shows in Knebworth, Munich, and Rome, expanding their reach across the continent. The band will play 42 shows in 2027, one more than during the first leg of their reunion tour a year ago in 2025.
A Continent of Distractions?
Oasis’s return highlights the pervasive nature of Anglo-American popular culture across Europe. The band will play six nights at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire, the 125,000-capacity venue where they staged two legendary concerts 30 years ago in 1996. If all six concerts sell out at full capacity, Oasis could sell 750,000 tickets at Knebworth. This would make it the world’s fourth most-attended concert series at a single venue, behind Taylor Swift, Shakira, and Coldplay, all global acts. The band announced the extra dates online due to “phenomenal demand.”
The tour also includes added dates in Munich’s Allianz Arena and at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, taking the total number of shows at each venue from two to three. Paris dates at the Stade de France, originally scheduled for about 10 months from now on 23 and 24 July 2027, have been rescheduled. The first concert has been brought forward to 20 July due to planned railway engineering works. Standard ticket prices across the tour are fixed between £71.50 and £266.60, with Knebworth general admission tickets starting at £170.50 and front-standing tickets from £203.50.
The Strain on National Infrastructure
The sheer scale of these events places significant strain on local infrastructure and public services, often at the expense of the native working and middle classes who rely on them daily. Knebworth has become known for heavy traffic before and after concerts. Stevenage Borough Council stated it is working with Hertfordshire County Council and highways officials on a “masterplan” to tackle potential problems. Ticketmaster has advised Oasis fans not to drive, instead arranging return coaches from 124 locations across England and Wales. Extra trains will run from Stevenage to London after the concerts, with stewards and lighting provided along the two-mile (3.2km) route between the station and Knebworth House. Saturday ticket holders also have the option to pay extra to camp at the venue on the Friday and Saturday nights. These logistical challenges, while seemingly minor, reflect a broader pattern of national resources being diverted or stretched to accommodate large-scale events, while fundamental issues affecting citizens' daily lives often remain unaddressed. The focus on such entertainment spectacles can obscure the deeper questions of national identity and sovereignty facing Europe.