Oasis homecoming windfall for city leaders

A man walks past a mural of Oasis band members Liam and Noel Gallagher by artist Snow Graffiti on the wall of the Coach and Horses pub in Whitefield, near Manchester.Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

The council previously said Oasis's shows will come at no cost to the taxpayer

  • Published

Oasis's homecoming gigs and other shows are expecting to make about £375,000 for Manchester City Council.

Liam and Noel Gallagher are reuniting for the 2025 tour which include five sold out gigs on the grounds of the council-owned Heaton Park.

Manchester City Council said the shows, alongside the annual Parklife Festival and other performance, will bring in £375k in profit for the year 2025-26.

Budget papers show councillors plan to use "one-off" boost to help balance the books as the local authority looks to cut costs.

Image source, Sam Neill
Image caption,

About 80,000 people are expected each night at Oasis's Heaton Park shows

Financial pressures have seen council chiefs plan to introduce higher parking fees, fines for up to £180 for littering, and higher prices for social care in a bid to plug a £29m budget gap.

An estimated 80,000 fans will attend each night Oasis perform in the 600 acre (242 hectare) site.

The council has previously said that there would be no cost to the taxpayer from the shows.

John Hacking, executive councillor for leisure, said in October that concert organisers would be required to bear the burden of policing and other expenses.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk, external and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.