Oasis – Live Review – Heaton Park, Manchester (Saturday)

By Joe Bartlett, July 2025

On Saturday, Heaton Park wasn’t just a gig – it was the gig for the 80,000 fans who had waited 16 years for the return of Oasis. The band that once defined a generation and divided a nation (mostly along Gallagher lines) returned to the stage with a swagger that said, ‘Don’t look back in anger – look back in awe.’

No time was wasted, the band launching into ‘Hello’ – a nod to their own comeback: “It’s good to be back.” And it was. The crowd, a sea of bucket hats and raised pint cups, roared as Liam Gallagher – forever the rock ’n’ roll star – sauntered on stage like he owned the place. Which, to be fair to him, he did.

‘Acquiesce’ followed, with its iconic chorus – “Because we need each other, we believe in one another” – sounding less like a lyric and more like a peace treaty between the famously fractious brothers. Noel, guitar slung low and eyebrows raised, looked like he might even be enjoying himself.

The setlist was a masterclass in nostalgia. ‘Morning Glory’ and ‘Some Might Say’ had the crowd bouncing, while ‘Bring It On Down’ was dedicated to the fans listening on Gallagher Hill who couldn’t get tickets. ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’ was as raucous as ever – a reminder that Oasis were always more than just ballads. They were the soundtrack to every lad’s Friday night and every morning after.

“Huge roar”

‘Fade Away’ was followed by ‘Supersonic’, and when the boys blasted out ‘Roll With It’ it truly felt like they had rolled back the years, transporting fans straight back to the ’90s. Liam still had that unmistakable sneer. He might not hit every note perfectly these days, but he still hits every nerve.

Then came the more sedate heart of the show. ‘Talk Tonight’, dedicated to “the ladies”, was tender, while ‘Half the World Away’ – dedicated to the Royle Family (“not that one!” Noel quipped) – offered a moment of pure Mancunian melancholy. It was a reminder that Oasis weren’t just about swagger – they were about soul.

‘D’You Know What I Mean?’ and ‘Stand By Me’ were preceded by ‘Little by Little’, which was dedicated to the lads and brought a huge roar from the parka-wearing faithful.

“Euphoric singalong”

‘Cast No Shadow’, during which the lads next to me were in fine voice (if not quite a match for Liam’s), shimmered with quiet beauty. ‘Slide Away’ was a gut-punch of yearning and regret, dedicated to the lovebirds in the house who were promised they wouldn’t be put on a “Coldplay kiss cam”. ‘Whatever’, laced with a snippet of The Beatles’ ‘Octopus’s Garden’, was a playful nod to their influences – and their enduring sense of humour.

The final stretch was pure catharsis. ‘Live Forever’ was a euphoric singalong, a reminder that Oasis’ music is etched into the DNA of British culture. And then, fittingly, they closed with ‘Rock ’n’ Roll Star’. Liam delivered it with a defiant snarl: “In my mind, my dreams are real. Now you’re concerned with the way I feel.” For the crowd in Manchester, they absolutely were.

After a short break came the encore – four final tracks that felt like a banger masterclass, filled to the brim with emotional payoff. The band returned with ‘The Masterplan’, a fitting choice to reintroduce themselves.

“Haze of nostalgia”

Next up was ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’. If the rest of the gig had been a celebration, this was the sermon. The crowd were led in a chorus that could have lifted the clouds over Manchester. “So Sally can wait…” echoed across Heaton Park like a hymn, and for a few minutes, it felt like every feud, fallout and tabloid headline had been forgiven.

‘Wonderwall’ followed – and yes, it’s been played to death – but on this night, it lived again. Liam’s delivery was raw, and the crowd’s response was euphoric. “You’re gonna be the one that saves me…” wasn’t just a lyric – it was a declaration. For anyone who’s ever been forced to attend a live DJ set from some has-been heritage act, Oasis had saved live music – and a bit of my youth too.

Finally, ‘Champagne Supernova’ closed the show in a haze of nostalgia and guitar feedback. As the song stretched into its dreamy, psychedelic outro, fans swayed and sang like they were floating in a supernova of memories. “Where were you while we were getting high?” – on this night, the answer was simple: right here.

So, did Oasis live up to the hype? For the thousands who sang every word, who stood by them through the years, and who still believe they are the voice of a generation — this was more than a gig. It was a moment. A moment that will live forever.

All images: Joe Bartlett