“This is the place”: Oasis Live 25 Rocks Manchester’s Heaton Park

Noel Gallagher’s iconic words ignite a euphoric homecoming for the Britpop giants

“This is the place,” declared Noel Gallagher on stage at Heaton Park, Manchester, on 11th July 2025. It wasn’t just a lyric or a passing comment. It was a statement. A thunderclap of emotion. A return to where it all began.

Following two electric shows in Cardiff, Oasis rolled into Manchester for a string of sold-out gigs as part of their Live 25 reunion tour. But this wasn’t just any stop on the tour. This was home.

More than 70,000 fans—Mancunians, Britpop diehards, and nostalgic Gen Zers—packed into the park where the Gallagher brothers last played together in 2009. The air buzzed with expectation, sweat, and unfiltered Mancunian pride. The moment they launched into Fuckin’ in the Bushes, a unified roar erupted, beginning a night of chaos, euphoria and pure Oasis magic.

From pyrotechnic finales to football tributes, emotional dedications to singalong classics, this was more than a gig. This was a cultural reset. A spiritual reunion. A Mancunian love letter.

The Return of the Kings: Oasis Reunite for Live 25

After 16 years apart, the impossible finally happened. Oasis, the band that defined an era, reunited.

Announced in mid-2024 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of “Standing on the Shoulder of Giants” (and 30 years since Definitely Maybe), the Live 25 Tour was met with stunned disbelief—and then a mad scramble for tickets.

The Gallaghers, who had spent over a decade exchanging barbs in interviews, finally put their differences aside in private. And now, on public display, the chemistry was unmistakable. Liam prowled the stage in his trademark swagger. Noel, guitar in hand, radiated cool detachment—until he cracked that now-immortal line: “This is the place.”

Heaton Park: Manchester’s Spiritual Stage

Heaton Park is no stranger to history. But 11th July 2025 might be its most iconic night yet.

The venue previously hosted The Stone Roses’ return, Pope John Paul II in 1982, and countless festivals. Yet few events have captured the city’s collective soul like Oasis’s comeback.

Fans arrived in droves. Public transport buckled. Trams were rammed. Traffic gridlocked for hours. The queue for pints stretched further than most Glastonbury bars. But no one complained. This was their band. In their city.

As the sun dipped behind the trees, the anticipation reached boiling point. Flags flew. Chants of “Liam! Liam!” and “Noel for King!” echoed across the field. This wasn’t a gig. It was a resurrection.

Support Acts & Pre-Gig Buzz

Before the headliners, a string of special guests warmed up the crowd. Radio X broadcast live from the grounds. There were whispers of surprise appearances—none materialised, but the buzz was electric.

The support acts kept things tight and classic, including local indie outfit The Lathums, who delivered a confident, jangly set with nods to their Oasis influences. But the crowd only had one thing on their minds.

As Fuckin’ in the Bushes blared and the lights blacked out, Oasis took the stage—together.

The Full Setlist: A Journey Through the Glory Years

Oasis didn’t tinker with what worked in Cardiff. They blasted through the same career-spanning setlist, with minor improvisations and local shoutouts that made it unmistakably Manchester.

Main Set:

• Fuckin’ in the Bushes (intro)
• Hello
• Acquiesce
• Morning Glory
• Some Might Say
• Bring It On Down
• Cigarettes & Alcohol
• Fade Away
• Supersonic
• Roll With It
• Talk Tonight
• Half the World Away (dedicated to Craig Cash and Caroline Aherne)
• Little by Little
• D’You Know What I Mean? (dedicated to Pep Guardiola)
• Stand by Me
• Cast No Shadow (dedicated to Richard Ashcroft)
• Slide Away
• Whatever (with a snippet of The Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden”)
• Live Forever
• Rock ’n’ Roll Star

Encore:

• The Masterplan
• Don’t Look Back in Anger (restarted after crowd over-sang the intro)
• Wonderwall
• Champagne Supernova (followed by a massive pyrotechnic display)

This wasn’t just a show. It was a pilgrimage through Oasis’s golden years.

Big Names, Big Moments: Pep, Ashcroft & Emotional Tributes

The Manchester crowd were buzzing to spot Pep Guardiola—the city’s most successful football manager—grinning from the side stage. Noel dedicated D’You Know What I Mean? to him, cheekily calling him “the best manager since Fergie,” sparking both cheers and some light-hearted boos from United fans.

Half the World Away came with a touching dedication to Craig Cash and Caroline Aherne, legends of Manchester’s TV comedy scene.

Cast No Shadow was dedicated to Richard Ashcroft, who was reportedly backstage with a Guinness in hand. A nod to The Beatles in Whatever reminded everyone just how deep Oasis’s musical DNA runs.

Fan Reactions: Online and On the Ground

Social media exploded before, during and after the gig. Reddit threads overflowed. One fan posted:

“I saw my life flash before my eyes during Slide Away. I sobbed. I hugged strangers. Oasis aren’t just a band—they’re my religion.”

Another wrote:

“Hearing Live Forever in Manchester with 70k people… nothing else will ever top that.”

From first-timers to die-hard fans who followed them in ‘94, the consensus was clear: Oasis were back—and better than anyone dared dream

Arrests, Fence-Jumpers & Security Challenges

No epic event comes without chaos.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed over 100 people were detained trying to jump fences and gain entry without tickets. Several drones were seized. A few crowd members were treated for heat exhaustion as temperatures hovered around 30°C.

Despite this, the overall mood remained safe and jubilant, thanks to beefed-up security, extensive stewarding, and a well-coordinated emergency response plan.

Pyrotechnics & the Explosive Finale

Just when the crowd thought it couldn’t get any more euphoric, Champagne Supernova kicked off.

The song’s final chords were matched with a full-blown fireworks display, laser lights, and streams of pyrotechnics bursting above the stage.

Fans embraced. Some cried. Some just stood motionless in awe.

It was more than a finale. It was closure. And a beginning.

Oasis and Manchester: An Unbreakable Bond

Oasis aren’t just a Manchester band. They are Manchester. Grit, glory, chaos, charm. The city shaped them, and now they’ve returned to give thanks.

The impact of the gig will ripple through the city for months. Bars, hotels and transport saw record numbers. Manchester’s cultural cachet—already sky-high—has soared even higher.

What’s Next for the Live 25 Tour?

The Manchester run continues with four more sold-out nights at Heaton Park. Then it’s on to:

• Dublin – Phoenix Park
• London – Finsbury Park
• Glasgow – Bellahouston Park
• Paris, Milan, Berlin – European Leg

Speculation continues around a Glastonbury 2026 headline slot, with bookmakers slashing odds daily.

Quick Takeaways

• Oasis played to 70,000+ fans at Heaton Park on 11 July 2025.
• Noel Gallagher declared “This is the place”, prompting mass emotional response.
• The setlist included 28 classics with dedications to Pep Guardiola, Ashcroft and more.
• Pyrotechnics and a Beatles nod capped off a historic night.
• 100+ arrests occurred after fans attempted to climb fences.
• Social media reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it “life-changing.”
• Four more Manchester shows are scheduled, with more tour dates across Europe to follow.

Conclusion: A Night Manchester Will Never Forget

Oasis came home—and they conquered.

11 July 2025 will go down in Manchester music history as more than just a gig. It was a cultural reset, a reunion of spirit and song, a statement that Oasis still rule the world they once redefined.

From Noel’s heartfelt “This is the place” to Liam’s snarling swagger on Cigarettes & Alcohol, everything about the night felt aligned with fate. Every note, every flare, every voice in the crowd sang with a sense of belonging. A reminder of why Oasis matter.

And the best part? It’s only just begun.

Get your ticket. Dust off your parka. Practice your chants. The Live 25 Tour is roaring forward—and if Manchester was any indication, it’s not to be missed.

FAQs

Q: How long was the Oasis concert in Manchester?
Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes including encore.

Q: Were any special guests on stage?
No guest performers, but several dedications were made to famous Mancunians.

Q: Are tickets still available?
Some resale tickets are on official outlets. Prices vary significantly.

Q: Will Oasis release new music?
No announcements yet, but rumours are swirling. Watch this space.

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