Oasis has come back to their hometown to perform together for the first time since 2009, with Liam and Noel Gallagher walking out hand in hand once more for their reunion concerts.
Noel and Liam Gallagher made their long-awaited return as Oasis to Heaton Park, Manchester, last night—16 years after their last hometown performance. The Britpop legends kicked off the first of five comeback shows at the venue.
Fans at Heaton Park witnessed an incredible moment as the Gallagher brothers, once fierce rivals, walked onto the stage hand in hand in front of a packed and hot crowd.
The park gates opened that afternoon, and fans enjoyed the sunshine and drinks while the city buzzed with Oasis excitement all week. Noel was swarmed by fans as he left his hotel, and Liam’s singing even played on the trams heading to the concert.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was spotted soaking up the atmosphere backstage, taking photos with Liam, Noel’s friends, and family.
Thousands who couldn’t get tickets watched live streams online, with some commenting that the crowd was “too calm,” while others said the heat was likely why the park wasn’t more chaotic.
08:23 Amy Denman
All of the stars…
Oasis brought people from all walks of life together as they performed an epic show at Heaton Park last night – fans, radio DJs, footballing icons and soap stars all rubbed shoulders in the sweltering concert crowd.
BBC Radio 2’s Vernon Kay soaked up the atmostphere in the crowd as he donned a staple bucket hat while singing along to the band’s hits – and shared highlights on his Instagram page. “Manchester! Day1. @oasis The excellence continues! Bravo!!,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, influencer and comedian Luke Hamnett was spotted in the crowd and gushed over the gig on his Instagram stories. “@Oasis what a f**king show,” he wrote as he posted a photo of himself right near the front of the stage.
Coronation Street legend Andy Whyment enjoyed a date night with his wife Nichola at the concert while Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his daughter Maria filmed themselves singing along to Don’t Look Back In Anger after hanging out in the VIP section.
The celebrities came out in full force for Oasis’ Heaton Park gig
07:38 Amy Denman
‘I saw something I thought was impossible at Heaton Park’
The Mirror’s Daniel Bird has revealed he thought the sight of the once-warring brothers, Noel and Liam Gallagher, was one he’d never see – but that all changed last night.
As the brothers walked out onto Heaton Park’s stage for the first time in 16 years, they showed a firm sign of unity by holding hands. The duo didn’t interact much throughout the sweltering gig, but Mirror’s Daniel says: “Just seeing them alongside one another is the best thing I could have ever asked for.”
The brothers returned to Heaton Park with a bang
05:29 Paige Ingram
Pep Guardiola’s daughter shares wholesome moment with dad
Pep Guardiola’s was on of many famous facs spotted at the Heaton Park gig last night. But while the Manchester City manager received several shoutouts during the night, including one from Liam Gallagher, his daughter’s sweet video is something he will never forget.
01:35 Paige Ingram
Police update on arrest numbers
The police force said officers made a number of arrests with some of the offences ranging from being drunk and disorderly and fraud to possession with intent to supply.
Officers equipped with drone technology also responded to several violations of the air space restrictions set from 11am to 11.59pm during the Oasis gigs.
23:27 Lauren Morris
‘Noel and Liam walking out hand in hand is something I never thought would happen’
The Mirror’s Daniel Bird has shared how “nothing will top tonight” after watching the Gallagher brothers walk out hand-in-hand – despite their previous feuds.
23:27 Mia O’Hare
‘One moment from tonight will stay with me forever’
“Noel and Liam walking out hand in hand is something I never thought would happen. But 16 years later, it did. They didn’t interact on stage but just seeing them alongside one another is the best thing I could have ever asked for. Apologies to anybody involved with the future of my life, but nothing will top tonight. I think it might’ve given me the worst migraine but in the grand scheme of things, it was so worth it,” says our Assistant Showbiz Editor Daniel Bird.
22:53 KEY EVENT
‘I was at Oasis’ first show in Manchester and it can only be described as biblical’
The Mirror’s Assistant Showbiz Editor, Dan Bird, has revealed his glowing review of tonight’s gig as he hailed it the most incredible night of his life.
However, there is one moment that will stay with him forever.
22:50 Mia O’Hare
Pep Guardiola in meters of Jack Grealish in awkward run-in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola watched Oasis just meters from footballer Jack Grealish as they both stood in the VIP section together. The pair have been at the centre of some very public spats in recent weeks amid rumours of a rift between them.
However, they appeared to be able to come together much like Liam and Noel as they enjoyed Oasis’ homecoming gig.
A source told the Mirror: “Jack and Pep were stood in the same VIP section of the Oasis gig but at complete opposite ends of the stand. Brummie Jack was in full spirits, belting every word while Pep seemed to be more family orientated. The pair didn’t interact with one another, at least publicly but they both had a great night.”
22:36 Lucy Needham
Reaction from fans heading home
Those who were there hailed the Heaton Park comeback, ‘the best gig I’ve ever been to’ as reaction broke out on social media as fans headed home.
“Massive bucketlist dream that I never thought would happen,” one fan posted, saying it was ‘better than they expected.”
“If you are going to see Oasis at Heaton Park – Cherish it. Svour it. It will be the great night of your life,” said another fan.
“Oasis is going to be my personality for the forseeable future,” joked another lucky enough to have been there.
22:31 Lucy Needham
Setlist in full
Here’s how a historic night in Manchester panned out from start to finish –
- Hello
- Acquiesce
- Morning Glory
- Some Might Say
- Bring It On Down
- Cigarettes and Alcohol
- Fade Away
- Supersonic
- Roll With It
- Talk Tonight (Noel on vocals)
- Half The World Away (Noel on vocals)
- Little By Little (Noel on vocals)
- D’You Know What I Mean
- Stand By Me
- Cast No Shadow
- Slide Away
- Whatever/ Octopus’s Garden
- Live Forever
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Star
Encore
- The Masterplan (Noel on vocals)
- Don’t Look Back in Anger (Noel on vocals)
- Wonderwall
- Champagne Supernova
22:25 Lucy Needham
Champagne Supernova to finish
After a historic night in Manchester, there was only one way to finish the night – a singalong of Champagne Supernova.
It’s arms in the air one more time as fireworks break out from behind the stage.
22:15 Lucy Needham
From one banger to another
Now it’s Wonderwall. The ballad, which takes its title from Beatle George Harrison’s first solo album in 1968, was written by Noel Gallagher for his now ex-wife Meg Mathews.
Meg was pictured at the Cardiff gigs last week, but noticeably left before the song was played. She later hit out at reports she walked out so she didn’t hear it, saying she simply went early to make a head start on her way home.
22:14 Lucy Needham
The band return to the stage
In the backdrop of a blue and orange sunset, the band reappear for Oasis anthem, Don’t Look Back In Anger.
22:09 Lucy Needham
Ready for the encore
Heaton Park is buzzing as fans roar on the band to return to the stage for the encore.
The band have typically been ending the set with Champagne Supernova.
22:05 Lucy Needham
The band walk off
Noel, Liam and the rest of Oasis walk off stage as huge cries of “one more song” break out among the crowd.
One eager person even shouts out: “Ten more songs!”.
22:02 Lucy Needham
“Stop sulking!”
While some fans pouring over live streams at home complained that the crowd were looking ‘too tame,’ frontman Liam had some words of his own.
While asking the crowd to do the Poznan bounce that has been adopted by fans of Manchester City, ripples of boos could be heard in the mixed crowd.
The Gallagher brother aimed a jibe at his derby rivals, Manchester United. He said: “Stop sulking. You haven’t had a lot to jump around about lately.
21:52 Lucy Needham
“You wanna try being in this band”
Liam made a playful jab at his brother as he thanked fans for sticking by them.
“Listen up beautiful people this is going to be our last song,” says Liam
“Thanks for sticking with us. I know we are difficult, but you wanna try being in the band.”
The frontman then launches into Rock ‘n’ Roll Star
21:50 Lucy Needham
Fans in their gardens enjoy the concert
Those living close to Heaton Park were also treated to a free concert on Friday night.
Angela Epstein shared that she was ‘really enjoying the concert’ while making her dinner. “It’s really poetic now, the sun is going down now and temperatures are cooling a bit.”
“Even from my back garden, Oasis concert in Heaton Park sounds like one massive karaoke night. Crowds seem like they’re having amazing time . I’m off for some Friday night dinner to sound of the gig. Chicken soup and alcohol.”
21:46 Lucy Needham
Fans on the wrong side of the barriers get stuck in
While fans were warned by police not to travel to Heaton Park without a ticket, many could not resist temptation.
The result was a huge singsong behind the fences as fans attempted to grab sight and sound of the historic reunion.
21:42 Lucy Needham
Liam savours the moment
Frontman Liam appeared to be savouring in the special moment as he clasped his tambourine in his teeth and held his hands aloft to the crowd.
Liam Gallagher holds his tambourine in his teeth
21:40 Lucy Needham
Hands in the air for Live Forever
An emotional mass singalong breaks out in Heaton Park as fans unite in voice to belt out Oasis’ Live Forever as the sun sets.
21:34 Lucy Needham
Fans complain of a ‘tame crowd’
Many fans trying to catch up with Heaton Park on live streams have complained that the gig seems ‘tame’ compared to the two night openers in Cardiff last weekend.
On a Reddit thread, u/Hot_Space82 wrote: “Is it just me or does this crowd sound dead?” as u/Consistent_Zebra_783 replied: “Ballot system. Front standing could just rock up anytime. Clearly was never going to be full of hardcore oasis fans. GA probably more rocking.”
Another fan, u/easy_c0mpany80 added: “the crowd seems quite tame in that right side tbh, seems to be a fair bit of space too. Everytime I saw Oasis I was always close to the front and you could barely move”
21:32 Lucy Needham
“The one and only”
Before Cast No Shadow begins, Noel dedicates it to the man he penned it for – “the one and only Richard Ashcroft”.
Richard is joining the band across the dates on their Live 25 tour alongside Cast. Oasis started out as a support for his former band The Verve, before Richard said he was only too happy to return the favour when Oasis’ fame eclipsed his own.
21:29 Lucy Needham
On stage shout outs
Noel and Liam paid tribute to their Irish and Manchester roots with their on stage banners at Heaton Park.
Oasis take to the stage at Heaton Park
21:24 Lucy Needham
Pep Guardiola right at home with the Gallagher clan
Before the concert kicked off, Man City manager Pep was asserting himself with the Gallagher elite.
The blues boss posed for pictures with Noel’s daughter Anias and Liam’s sons Gene and Lennon backstage.
A thrilled Gene called it ‘the photo of the century.’
Manchester City manager Pep mingles with the next generation Gallaghers backstage
21:21 Lucy Needham
Noel pays tribute to ‘the greatest manager of all time’
Noel announces he’d like to dedicate the next song, D’You Know What I Mean, to “the greatest manager of all time, Pep Guardiola”.
There’s a mixed reception to the statement.
“Who you booing?” Noel asks.
21:19 Lucy Needham
Liam returns to the stage
After brother Noel slowed things down, Liam is now back on stage for Stand By Me.
21:15 Lucy Needham
You’ve Got to Roll With It
The crowd looking wonderful in the sunshiiiiiine as they singalong to Roll With It
21:14 Lucy Needham
Oasis fans demand Liam ‘take it off’
Fans had an urgent request for Liam as they urged him to ‘take it off.’
They were yelling about the green zip-up jacket he was wearing on stage as temperatures reached close to 30 degrees.
The frontman previously said he doesn’t mind sweating on stage… as long as he looks cool while doing it.
21:04 KEY EVENT
Noel dedicates song to Caroline Aherne
Before playing Half The World Away tonight, Noel paid tribute to Caroline Aherne.
The track was picked to be the theme tune to Caroline’s hit comedy The Royle Family.
“This one is for Caroline,” said Noel before launching into a huge singalong of the track.
Comedienne Caroline sadly died at the age of 52 in July 2016 from cancer.
Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash on set of The Royle Family
20:57 Lucy Needham
Setlist so far
Just a reminder’ here’s what the band have played so far
- Hello
- Acquiesce
- Morning Glory
- Some Might Say
- Bring it on Down
- Cigarettes and Alcohol
- Fade Away
- Supersonic
20:46 Lucy Needham
Police take action against fans attempting to sneak in
Police are taking action amid fears of fans jumping the barriers at Heaton Park to watch the band without a ticket,
Manchester Evening News reporter on the ground, Chris Slater said: “I’ve been told a dispersal order is in place and officers are taking details and ordering anyone suspected of trying to sneak in to leave the area. If don’t they can then be arrested.”
A dispersal order is a legal tool used by police to address anti-social behavior. It allows officers to direct individuals to leave a specific area for a period of up to 48 hours, and not return during that time. The order is typically issued when there’s evidence that the individual’s behavior is causing, or likely to cause, harassment, alarm, or distress to the public, or contributing to crime and disorder.
I’ve been told a dispersal order is in place and officers are taking details and ordering anyone suspected of trying to sneak in to leave the area. If don’t they can then be arrested.
20:43 Lucy Needham
Liam Gallagher riles up the Manchester United fans in the crowd
Liam Gallagher couldn’t resist having a jibe at any Manchester United fans in the crowd as he urged them to get on board and ‘do the Poznan’
The celebration for the blue (Man City) half of Manchester involves turning around with your arms round those next to you and jumping up and down.
“Stop sulking,” Liam urged the red fans in the crowd.
Speaking to the Mirror before the historic gig, one music source told: “Liam loves seeing the crowd do it, but it will be a higher risk strategy at Heaton Park. It will be no surprise if he does do it or gives City a shout-out on stage because he and Noel are such big fans. Bonehead is the only red (United fan) in the line-up.”
20:31 Lucy Needham
Setlist so far
Fans have been wondering if the band would stick to the same setlist as Cardiff last weekend.
Coming on stage to F***in the Bushes, Oasis open up the gig with Hello from their smash-hit second album What’s The Story (Morning Glory)? before Noel takes the mic to sing Acquiesce.
20:24 Lucy Needham
Liam addresses the crowd for the first time
Liam Gallagher couldn’t resist paying his fellow Manucians a compliment as he took a brief pause two songs in.
“I tell you what you’re all looking stunning. You should be very proud of yourselves. Ten out of ten,” Liam tells the crowd before launching into What’s The Story (Morning Glory).
20:15 Mia O’Hare
It’s time!
Liam and Noel are ready to make their huge return to Manchester as they reunite Oasis on home turf for the first time in over a decade.