Oasis at Heaton Park, Manchester review: Gallagher brothers make history as they reunite

Where were you when the news broke that Oasis were getting back together after a 16-year hiatus? In these times, rife with conflict and political turmoil, the word that Liam and Noel had made amends seemed to offer a brief respite from the chaos.

The launch of their debut album Definitely Maybe over three decades prior encapsulated an era, sparking a sense of hope and possibility - now, their reunion resonates with similar sentiments. For many of the fans at Heaton Park on Friday (July 11), they were either too young or not even born when Oasis first made waves in the UK music scene.

Shoulder-to-shoulder, young fans and those from older generations will share the sentiment: this is a pivotal moment, reports the Manchester Evening News. 'This is not a drill', proclaimed the message spread across the massive screens, followed by a montage of Oasis reunion whispers, press cuttings, and, finally, the announcement made last August.

"The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over."

"It's really happening," shouts a voice from the throng, just before drinks that are definitely not Carling fly over the heads of the crowd - and a flare launched from further back signals the start of an epic evening.

An ecstatic cheer, akin to a lion's roar, erupts as Manchester's beloved band takes the stage, arms raised high, their hands meeting in unison this time. Perhaps it's the familiar feeling of home that intensifies the fraternal affection.

"Manchester this is it, Manchester in the area," Liam proclaims, captivating the audience. The show kicks off with Hello as anticipated, but as they effortlessly transition into Acquiesce, the quintessential anthem for the duo, Liam, head tilted back, eyes shut, fully immerses himself in the moment, savouring every bit.

"You look f***** stunning you should be proud of yourselves," Liam exclaims as they dive into an intense, slightly irate version of Morning Glory. A fan, overly keen for the Poznan celebration seen in Cardiff, jumps the gun, drawing Liam's gaze, and naturally, he doesn't skip a beat: "You're too early."

Three shows in has it already become a little rote and predictable with the Poznan moment? Even if it has, this crowd doesn't care, and, right on cue, as Liam, aka ringmaster extraordinaire, instructs to do so.

Fans turn around, grab the person next to them and as the opening chords of Cigarettes and Alcohol ring out, the ground at Heaton Park shakes, the crowd leaping into the sky. Nods to their hometown? Plenty of them, too.

A Pep cut-out keeping them company on stage, the Manchester City emblem, and a cheeky nod to the Manchester United fans after perfectly executed Poznan - all ticked off the list. Images of their childhood come in and out of focus on the screens behind them, Peggie and their family featuring heavily as they whip through Fade Away, Supersonic and Roll With It.

Liam stalking the stage has all eyes on him and, true to form, isn't afraid to call out the naysayers. 'Takes one to know one mate, the difference is at least I'm a good looking ****', he tells someone in the crowd heckling him.

Thank God, a much-needed tetchy fan interaction in what was in danger of becoming a slightly too sanitised, polite roll call of their back catalogue of hits.

"We'll make it f****** big one day," a visibly chilled Noel assured the crowd as they reached a more reflective segment of the show, leading into an exuberant crowd chorus of Talk Tonight, Half The World Away, and Little by Little.

Pep was more than just a cardboard figure - he'd been seen enjoying himself and mouthing the words from the VIP section before Liam gave him a personal homage, describing him as 'the greatest manager of all time', sparking a mix of cheers and jeers among the spectators.

The atmosphere is salvaged by those spine-tingling, goosebump-inducing moments that Oasis are masters of, with the enchanting Stand by Me, the brilliant Cast No Shadow, and the heartfelt Slide Away, which is nearly overwhelmed by the audience's passionate singalong directed at Liam and Noel.

The visuals, featuring a golden-hued meadow that could be an empty Heaton Park, light up with a faded image of Liam as he delivers Whatever, creating an effect akin to an in memoriam tribute, but it's a hit with the crowd and even Pep in the VIP area, who playfully imitates the drumbeat leading into the final chorus.

"Thanks for sticking with us, I know we're f***** hard work, you try being in a f***** band," Liam jests towards the end of the evening, letting the fans know that Rock 'N' Roll Star is supposedly the last song - though with Oasis, it never really is.

Is there anything more quintessentially Mancunian than draping your arm over the shoulder of the person next to you, hurling your pint into the distance, and heartily singing along to The Masterplan, Don't Look Back In Anger, and Wonderwall?

The simple answer is no - there truly isn't.

Yet, it's the concluding strains of Champagne Supernova echoing across Heaton Park, now strewn with abandoned bucket hats, plastic pint cups, and forgotten flares, that truly capture the essence of the moment.

Standing side by side, some with tears streaming down their faces, it becomes abundantly clear that it doesn't matter where you were when they announced their reunion last summer. Right here and now, Manchester has just been part of a historic moment.

Oasis setlist - Manchester, Heaton Park, July 11

F**** in the Bushes intro

Hello

Acquiesce

Morning Glory

Some Might Say

Bring it on down

Cigarettes and Alcohol

Fade Away

Supersonic

Roll With It

Talk Tonight (Noel sings)

Half the World Away (Noel sings)

Little by Little (Noel sings)

D'You Know What I Mean

Stand By Me

Cast No Shadow

Slide Away

Whatever

Live Forever

Rock and Roll Star

Encore

The Masterplan (Noel sings)

Don't Look Back in Anger (Noel sings)

Wonderwall

Champagne Supernova.