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)?

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

Live Reporting

Edited by Tom Mullen, Rachael Lazaro and Marc Waddington

  1. 'We booked flights and hotels before we even got tickets'

    Kaya Black
    BBC North West, Reporter

    When Oasis announced their comeback tour last year, friends Tim, Morten and Justus immediately decided to devise a plan.

    They booked flights and hotels before they had even got their hands on those much sought-after tickets.

    Tim Blosse, 39, pictured left, said: “Its the greatest reunion in European music history.”

    There was “no question” about making the journey from Germany to be a part of it, he added.

    Justus Schilling, 35, pictured right, went to see the brothers in Cardiff last week, but described the atmosphere in Manchester as something different already.

    “It's just amazing. I’m shivering already for the gig.”

    The three fans are all posing for a photograph at Victoria railway station.

    Oasis are clearly living forever through the generations - it is lovely to see so many young fans heading to the gigs with their parents who introduced them to to the band.

    Maddison, 16, is on her way to Heaton Park with her father, Lee.

    She thinks tonight will be “absolutely epic because it’s their first night back in Manchester”.

    Lee, 38, said he “never thought it would happen” and said he’d woken up several times last night because he was so excited.

    The father and daughter are smiling for a photograph at Victoria railway station.

  2. 'We're giving everyone a number for the queues'

    Among the early arrivals, Theo, 18, has travelled from Birmingham and is helping to keep things organised as fans prepare to start queuing.

    He was spotted writing numbers on all the other early birds’ arms with a black marker.

    “We’re giving everyone a number so when the queue begins we’re not going to have a bit of a tussle, a bit of what for,” he said.

    He said he is excited for what he described as “the biggest event in the UK” this year.

    “Being such a big fan of Oasis's music, I grew up with it, it’s something I couldn’t miss out on," he said.

    “I’m so glad to be here as a part of history.”

    Theo is wearing sunglasses and a Barcelona T-shirt. He is standing outside Heaton Park and he is smiling at the camera

  3. From the archives: Noel on Manchester City

    Sarah Spina-Matthews
    BBC News, Manchester

    Speaking of Oasis and football, we've been digging out some old archive footage.

    Back in 1996, while Noel was excited about his own future, his predictions for City were not quite as rosy.

    Speaking to the BBC outside his mum's house in Burnage, he said he was not confident of them ever being successful and just hoped "they win something while I'm alive".

    Fair to say he got his wish!

  4. 'Oasis are the reason we support Man City'

    Sarah Spina-Matthews
    BBC News, Manchester

    Sean O’Neill, 19, and Paul Maguire, 20, may be from Wakefield in West Yorkshire but their life-long love of Oasis led them to support the brothers' beloved Manchester City.

    They said the band has influenced all aspects of their lives, including their interest in football.

    Sean said Oasis fandom was “like a religion”.

    “We’ve got the same background - working class, local lads, they’re just up for a good time. You relate to the music immediately,” he said.

    Paul said he was “absolutely gassed”.

    “Being able to actually see them in person after thinking I reasonably never would, it just hits something inside me. It’s unimaginable,” he said.

    Sean O’Neill, 19, and Paul Maguire, 20, are both wearing Manchester City football shirts. They have their arms around each others' shoulders and are smiling at the camera.

  6. 'They are Manchester - it’s just insane'

    Jonny Bentley
    BBC News, Manchester

    Friends Neve Leckie Traynor, and Lola Toft, both 18, are die-hard Oasis fans from Manchester.

    “It sums up being young in Manchester and how it is growing up,” Neve said of Oasis' impact.

    “They put so many different life experiences into their songs.”

    On the reunion, Lola said: “It’s just Manchester. They are Manchester. It’s just insane.”

    Both of them paid £350 for the event and believe it will be worth every penny.

    The friends are wearing black bucket hats and are holding a Union Jack Oasis flag

  7. Swooping in from the States for the show

    Jonny Bentley
    BBC News, Manchester

    Fans are descending on Manchester from all over the globe, including these three from the US.

    Carley Williams travelled from Boston to watch the band perform, and the 27-year-old says she can't wait to watch the “greatest band of all time”.

    Carley Williams is wearing a green bucket hat and she is smiling. A number of fellow fans can also been seen in the background as they await the opening of Heaton Park.

    Noah Jenrich and Maddisyn Wherlock, both 23, have travelled from Salt Lake city in Utah.

    The pair say they “queued forever” online to secure tickets,

    And Maddisyn said she was “on top of the world” when they finally bagged some, and is predicting now tonight will be “biblical”.

    Noah Jenrich and Maddisyn Wherlock, are both wearing Oasis T-shirts as they pose for a photograph at Victoria railway station

  8. What can I bring into Heaton Park?

    Given the weather, guests will be allowed to bring a sealed plastic bottle of water - up to 500ml - into the venue.

    For safety reasons, the bottle must be made of collapsible plastic, and metal and solid plastic bottles will not be allowed in.

    Unsealed bottles will be emptied before entry and there will be water refill points around.

    Bottles of sunscreen up to 200ml will also be allowed in.

    Food vendors, which are card only, will remain open until 23:00.

  9. Part of the (Royal Mail delivery) Queue

    James Dawson
    BBC North West, Social Media Lead

    I'm heading to the gig later and, like everyone else it seems, I got whipped up into Oasis fever and went and ordered one of those ridiculously expensive but also very nice-looking football jerseys they're flogging.

    It was a very last minute decision though, and it's only due to arrive at some point today.

    Kick off for the gig is 15:00 – so it's very tense here at the moment.

    I guess if it doesn't arrive I will just have to go as I am, unbranded! Or maybe I could pop and get a quick mod cut or something, I don't know.

  10. Getting to the gig on a piping hot day

    A Metrolink tram with Liam Gallager's face on the outside advertising Oasis's tour with the words 'She's electric'TFGM

    There are lots of ways to get to Heaton Park, with public transport bosses urging fans to make use of the wide array of travel options.

    They include tram services every six minutes from Manchester Victoria tram stop in Manchester city centre to Heaton Park.

    There are two park and ride sites on the Bury line – at Whitefield and Radcliffe.

    And an Oasis shuttle bus service will depart from Lever Street in the Northern Quarter from 13:30 each day, with the last bus at 19:30.

    You can find a full run down of the travel information here

  11. (Don't) Stop Crying Your Heart Out

    Kaya Black
    BBC News, Manchester

    Emotions are already running high ahead of the show - with this mother shedding tears of joy to be here as she brought her son along.

    Rachel Rann, 45, and Thomas, 16, have travelled from Liversedge in West Yorkshire.

    Thomas says he is “absolutely obsessed” with Oasis and his room at home is covered in merchandise from the band.

    Rachel became teary as she predicted it would be an emotional moment watching the band with her son.

    Rachel Rann and her son Thomas are standing side by side. They are both wearing white Oasis T-shirts and are smiling at the camera.

  12. 'This is history right here, it's the biggest gig since the 90s'

    Colin Paterson
    Entertainment Correspondent, BBC News

    Eager Oasis fans have already arrived at Heaton Park in the hope of ensuring a prime spot at the front of show.

    The sun is shining and bucket hats are out in force for what is expected to be a summer spectacular.

    The gates open at 15:00, and more information on everything you need to know can be found here.

    Fans are sitting on the grass outside Heaton Park. There is an Oasis flag hung on the railings and a few of fans are wearing bucket hats
    Fans are sitting on the grass outside Heaton Park. There is an Oasis flag hung on the railings and a few of fans are wearing bucket hats

  13. Fans arriving already as excitement builds

    Manchester's rail stations are already bustling with fans heading to the gigs - and Radio Manchester's Joe McGrath Breakfast Show is live from Victoria to meet some of them.

    You can listen live with coverage throughout the day.

    Radio Manchester Breakfast Show host Joe McGrath is speaking to fans at Victoria railway station. He is holding a microphone and is wearing headphones. Two of his colleagues are standing to his right and there three Oasis fans on his left.

  14. So, brollies can wait .... a heatwave to welcome Oasis back

    Don't look back in anger, look for shade instead

    It's going to be a scorcher today, as BBC weather presenter Molly Brewer explains.

  15. When does Heaton Park open?

    Cranes and other heavy machinery is used to set up a large stage in a wide, open park.Getty Images

    Heaton Park is set to house about 400,000 fans over five shows

    The park’s gates are set to open at 15:00 BST, but organisers has asked people to arrive earlier if possible.

    As temperatures are set to soar as high as 30C (86F) and 32C (90F) on Friday and Saturday, fans have been told to stay hydrated and use sun protection, including hats, bucket hats preferably.

  16. Live Forever? Tonight we just might...

    Oasis perform on stage during the opening night of their Live 25' Tour at Principality Stadium on July 04, 2025 in Cardiff.Getty Images

    The reunited Gallagher brother are back in Manchester tonight

    Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Manchester's very own Rock 'N' Roll Stars first gig back in their home city in 16 years.

    More than 80,000 people are expected at Heaton Park for the first of five Oasis show back in the city where it all started.

    The gigs are part of a 41-date world tour described by some as one of the most hotly-anticipated comeback tours in music history.

    Whether you're heading to watch Heaton Park explode like a Supernova, whatever your Masterplan for the day, we will have all the news and excitement as the boys from Burnage roll in to town.