Summary

  • Oasis on stage at their homecoming gig at Heaton Park.

  • About 80,000 fans have turned out for the first of five gigs there.

  • Support acts Cast and Richard Ashcroft have warmed up the crowds, ready for Oasis to begin their show at about 20:15 GMT.

  • The Gallagher brothers opened up with Hello, the first number on their smash-hit album What's The Story (Morning Glory)?

Media caption,

Liam and Noel arrive on stage hand-in-hand (courtesy of Big Brother Recordings)

  1. Morning Glory and Some Might Saypublished at 20:37 British Summer Time 11 July

    They're rattling through the setlist at a pace, and Liam especially seems to be loving every minute of it.

    After Hello and Acquiesce, they moved on to Morning Glory, and Some Might Say.

  2. Listen up...published at 20:32 British Summer Time 11 July

    If ever a photo summed up those of us reading and writing this who aren't in Heaton Park, here it is...

    My friend, you are us all right now.

    Woman in blue T-shirt and red skirt looks through a gap in the security fencing at the Oasis show in Heaton ParkImage source, Getty Images
  3. Hello, it's good to be backpublished at 20:23 British Summer Time 11 July

    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.

  4. Oasis arrive on stagepublished at 20:18 British Summer Time 11 July

    Oasis have taken to the stage in Heaton Park to huge cheers. This is going to be a big one.

  5. Cooling down ahead of it hotting uppublished at 20:17 British Summer Time 11 July

    James Dawson
    BBC North West, Social Media Lead

    The sun is also going down and it’s feeling noticeably cooler - I’ve switched my sunglasses for a standard pair of glasses.

    The drop in temperature is very welcome as everyone is about to jump around and get very sweaty.

    Surprisingly, given the reasonable pint prices, there’s not that much visible drunkenness. Everyone’s just having a great time.

  6. Gallagher kids and Pep Guardiolapublished at 20:12 British Summer Time 11 July

    Dan Wareing
    BBC News, Manchester

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is here alongside younger members of the Gallagher family, who are well-known for their love of the club.

    One of Liam's sons, Gene, posted a picture with the message: "Pic of the century, alright?"

    Gallagher children alongside Pep GuardiolaImage source, Gene Gallagher / Instagram
  7. 'Such a sensible crowd'published at 20:10 British Summer Time 11 July

    Molly Brewer
    BBC North West, Reporter

    The crowds back here are so sensible, handing out water, and taking photos for each other.

    People are genuinely just happy to be here, and I've seen loads of parents with kids. It’s such a range of people buzzing to see Oasis.

    A wide shot of the empty stage with a huge crowd in front.
  8. Time flies...published at 20:02 British Summer Time 11 July

    Chris Long
    Digital Editor, BBC North West

    As Oasis are about to take the stage and complete their triumphant return to Manchester, let's take a moment to see - in the most whistle-stop of ways - how we ended up here.

    In 1993, after Noel joined Liam's band The Rain and they changed their name, Oasis signed to Creation Records. The following year, they released their debut single, Supersonic, followed by their debut album, Definitely Maybe, which went straight to number one.

    Oasis at Water Rats in 1994Image source, Getty Images

    They went stratospheric very swiftly - in 1995, their second album (What's The Story) Morning Glory? spent 10 weeks at the top of the album charts and singles Some Might Say and Don't Look Back In Anger also hit number one.

    A year later, they headlined two now-legendary shows at Knebworth, playing to a combined 250,000 people across two nights.

    Liam Gallagher at Knebworth in 1996Image source, Getty Images

    Tensions were never far from the surface in the band though, with Liam and Noel portrayed in the press as never far from fisticuffs.

    Outside the brothers, the band also changed - drummer Tony McCarroll left early on, Alan White took over. Rhythm guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs and bassist Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan made it through third album Be Here Now, before departing as its follow-up Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants was recorded.

    Heavy Stereo's Gem Archer and Ride's Andy Bell replaced them, playing on Oasis's fifth album, 2002's Heathen Chemistry.

    Liam and Noel Gallagher in 2000Image source, Getty Images

    But the fans never strayed, and sixth album Don't Believe The Truth, featuring Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr's son, on drums after White left, and singles Lyla and The Importance Of Being Idle, were quickly propelled to number one in 2005.

    Three years later, the band's final album Dig Out Your Soul was released to critical acclaim and a number one slot on the album charts, but within a few months, the band finally fell apart - a bust-up between the Gallagher brothers at a festival in Paris saw Noel leave and Oasis were over.

    Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage in 2025Image source, Getty Images

    The brothers went their separate ways - Liam forming Beady Eye before performing solo, and Noel finding major success with his High Flying Birds. But neither managed to quite hit the highs of Oasis's success and so the rumours swirled that they would one day reform.

    And in August last year, those rumours came true...

  9. In from half the world away on the off-chancepublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 11 July

    We're all for taking a punt on getting a ticket, but if this man's T-shirt is true - and who are we to doubt the veracity of a chest slogan? - he's travelled from half the world away on the off-chance of seeing his heroes.

    That, right there, is true dedication - good on ya, mate.

    A bearded man in a green bucket hat wears a white T-shirt, which reads: In from Oz 1 night only need 1 tixImage source, Getty Images
  10. Next up - Oasispublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 11 July

    James Dawson
    BBC North West, Social Media Lead

    There's a huge singalong as Richard Ashcroft ends his set with Bittersweet Symphony. Anticipation is building, as the next people to grace the stage - other than the roadies and technical crew - will be Oasis themselves.

    A wide shot of the crowd.
  11. Ashcroft missing wedding anniversary for gigpublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 11 July

    “Like a typical northern man, I’ve gone and messed it up,” Ashcroft says, presumably in reference to his decision to spend the evening gigging in Heaton Park rather than spend it with his wife, Spiritualized keyboard player Kate Radley, on their 30th wedding anniversary.

    He gets the crowd to shout “Happy Anniversary, Kate!” before playing Lucky Man, which he wrote for her.

  12. Ashcroft leads a sad singalong with The Drugs Don't Workpublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 11 July

    ‘If you’ve written a number one you might as well play it,” Ashcroft says before launching into The Drugs Don’t Work

    The Verve hit, inspired by the death of Ashcroft’s father, has been a sad singalong favourite since it became the band's only number one single in 1997.

  13. Richard Ashcroft hailed 'a genius' by Noel Gallagherpublished at 19:25 British Summer Time 11 July

    Richard Ashcroft and Noel Gallagher are close friends, and Gallagher famously dedicated his Oasis song Cast No Shadow to the Wigan songsmith.

    Gallagher once described Ashcroft – the man behind The Verve’s breakthrough single Bittersweet Symphony, Lucky Man, and The Drugs Don’t Work – as “a genius”.

    And he said his own composition in honour of Ashcroft had lyrics that were “the best I ever wrote”.

    Richard Ashcroft with his arms aloft.Image source, Reuters
  14. Love Richard Ashcroft... if he wants itpublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 11 July

    James Dawson
    BBC North West, Social Media Lead

    "Hot in this city tonight", Richard Ashcroft announces to the crowd before launching into Sonnet.

    Ashcroft's former band The Verve toured with Oasis back in the early days.

    The crowd are warming up, too, and singing along in full voice.

    Phones are out, arms are in the air.

    "C'mon," he shouts as the chorus begins, and the crowd obliges.

  15. Heaton Park filling up ahead of Richard Ashcroftpublished at 18:55 British Summer Time 11 July

    Molly Brewer
    BBC News, North West

    Audience at Heaton Park

    It's Bucket hat central here and everyone is looking forward to Richard Ashcroft!

    I’m in general admission but it's not a bad view.

    It's getting busy now. People could definitely shuffle nearer to the front but in this heat they are happy to sit down.

  16. Richard Ashcroft set to take the stagepublished at 18:51 British Summer Time 11 July

    There are just minutes until former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft will perform for the Heaton Park crowd.

    The connection between Ashcroft and the Gallagher brothers goes back decades as the band supported The Verve in 1993 during their early days.

    Richard AshcroftImage source, Reuters
  17. Wibbling rivalrypublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 11 July

    A match-up that is always filled with sparks and friction... a feud as old as time... two inextricably-linked foes sharing a spotlight...

    No, we're not talking about the Gallaghers' triumphant return to Manchester, but the other huge show this evening - the T20 Roses match between Lancashire Lightning and Yorkshire Vikings at Old Trafford.

    As we can't bring you any of the sounds from Heaton Park, why not tune in to BBC Radio Lancashire's commentary of that humdinger?

    Pretty sure there's some bucket hat crossover in there somewhere...

  18. Buckets in the bushespublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 11 July

    Chris Long
    Digital Editor, BBC North West

    It's bucket hats all round as the temperature soar and the throngs arrive at the leafy surrounds of Heaton Park.

    Good to see so many people taking precautions in the sunshine - especially as we're always told that Oasis fans are a rambunctious and less-than-conventional bunch...

    Don't believe the truth, as some might say.

    Four men wearing bucket hats and T-shirts walk towards the cameraImage source, Reuters
    Three women wearing bucket hats, T-shirts and shorts and a man in an Oasis T-shirt and shorts pose for the cameraImage source, Reuters
  19. Cast wrap up their set - 'It's just the beginning of the party'published at 18:30 British Summer Time 11 July

    James Dawson
    BBC North West, Social Media Lead

    "This is just the beginning of the party, it’s going to erupt later on," says Cast frontman John Power before he launches into their final song.

    The Liverpudlian indie rock group finished with Alright.

    The band have joined the Manchester favourites for 19 sold-out shows in the UK and Ireland.

  20. Cast play 90s banger Walkawaypublished at 18:21 British Summer Time 11 July

    James Dawson
    BBC North West, Social Media Lead

    Arms in the air time!

    Cast are playing Walkaway and the crowds having its first big singalong of the evening.

    More to come I would expect…

    crowds outside Oasis stage