The Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour shows at Heaton Park are officially over, with an estimated 400,000 fans having flocked to the fields for the historic Manchester gigs – but actually, there were A LOTmore than that, thanks to what will now and forever be known as Gallagher Hill.
In truth, it’s impossible to know just how many people went to camp out and watch their favourite rock and roll band and arguably the greatest to ever do it, play their five homecoming nights from the unofficial spectators’ hill that was quickly named after the Burnage boys.
But with approximately 80,000 ticketed fans attending each of the gigs and thousands – more and more each night, as it happens, even with the initial views from Heaton Park’s cow field being restricted by a giant barricade – it’s not too outlandish to estimate that not far off half a million came to listen.
Come rain or shine, like true Mancunians, they turned up and sang their hearts out, as did countless others who made the trip just to watch from Gallagher Hill.
Gallagher Hill says goodbye to Oasis at Heaton Park with an electronic symphony || Day 5 (Finaly night) pic.twitter.com/euyEP9B7IU
By the fifth and final night, as you can see by the scenes above, the raised section of the 600-acre park was absolutely packed with people of all ages and backgrounds, coming not just from all over the region but even further afield.
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When boarding one of the trams heading to the show on Sunday, 20 July (Oasis‘ last Live ’25 gig at Heaton Park), we even overheard someone who said they had travelled down from London to the city simply to watch from Gallagher Hill as they’d not yet managed to get a ticket.
Regardless, he just couldn’t wait, and after seeing the videos on social media, was clearly compelled to come and join in the party.
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And who could blame him? Like only us Northerners can do, not that we’re biased or anything, the city, Bury, and the boroughs at large managed to turn Oasis Mania/Fever/whatever you want to call it into what we can only imagine it’s like when Glastonbury takes over Worthy Farm and beyond.
OASIS LIVE STREAMED THE FANS ON GALLAGHER HILL DURING THEIR GIG ON SUNDAY
— Liam Gallagher Fans Club (@liamgfansclub) July 21, 2025
The tidal wave of fans jumping on the bandwagon only got bigger with each gig, and it wasn’t long before the Gallagher brothers themselves got wind of it and began dedicating songs to them.
Once the trend had taken off and fully hit social media, Liam told the crowds last week, “If you lot are listening on the hill… ‘Bring It On Down’.”
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By the evening of the final farewell, he and Noel had even arranged for free shirts that read ‘Gallagher Hill’ to be handed out to punters posted up on the truly Greater Mancunian mound, with Noel’s daughter Anaïs sharing images of the happy recipients who were among the lucky lot to score one.
With the veritable sea of bucket hats and Oasis merch all over 0161 over the past fortnight alone, ‘Gallagher Hill’ itself was pretty much decked out in ‘Mancuni-form’.
‘What was suppose to be a day in Manchester ended up on Gallagher’s hill singing Oasis with an Oasis top and bucket hat.’The Gallagher kids doing their bit too. ‘What a 2 weeks to be alive. Oasis Manchester unbelievable last night on Gallagher hill with the wee man.’Credit: Anaïs Gallagher (via IG)/Paige Coult (via X)/@rossparlane
If the commitment to seeing the Britpop legends here in the UK and, indeed, ‘All Around The World’ wasn’t already evident and impressive enough, we’re sure it is now.
Would-be gig-goers came and set up shop with their camping chairs, kids, picnics, ever so slightly more affordable crates of cider and so on to join in the action for what was (barring Sunday) the perfect place to soak up the sun and some free tunes.
Some fans even went so far as to fly their paraglider over the event – nope, not joking…
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Most people just wanted to turn up so they could say ‘been there, done that’ – and ironically, some really did get the t-shirt to boot.
Fucking love being a Manc.
Popped by Gallagher Hill in Heaton Park with Draco to have a bit of a listen to Oasis.
Thousands were there, all ages, bucket hats galore, all knew every lyric and were having a top time, no issues at all.
Put simply, Oasis’s Manchester homecoming wasn’t just like festival season for the city, it was practically Manc Christmas; we’ve never seen anything quite like it.
And a big chunk of that, we feel, is owed not just to what was witnessed inside Heaton Park but all around, in places like Definitely Maybe Bar, out on St Peter’s Square and, above all else, the magical, musical, Mancunian commune that was Gallagher Hill.
We know there was controversy around it at times, but above all else, it helped create unforgettable memories among those who missed out on tickets that will, well, ‘Live Forever’.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/@rebeccahl26 (via X)/Supplied
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Kendal Calling turns 21 in fine form with a brilliant bunch of headliners – and that was just the start…
Danny Jones
Oh, what a long weekend we had at Kendal Calling 2026, our fourth consecutive visit to the beloved festival proclaimed as ‘the favourite’ by many across the North West, and forever ‘the best’ if you hail from in and around Cumbria.
Now 21 editions into its run, the Penrith party down in Lowther Deer Park has gone from being a cult classic among natives in and around the Lake District a couple of decades ago, to one celebrated all over – and for good reason.
Apart from delivering stellar lineups year in, year out, it’s also one of the most family-friendly festivals you’ll ever come across.
But having said that, they still know how to kick a party into gear when the sun sets…
With The Kooks, The Cribs, Manchester up-and-comers Spangled, Oldham’s very own Tim Burgess, and many more opening up the party on Thursday night, they hit the ground running early doors.
Speaking of the turf, the wider arena was nice and dry this year, with punters only being treated to very short showery intervals, and most overnight.
Having the perfect conditions obviously helps, but we will say that Kendal Calling remains one of the brave few that powers in through regardless of the weather.
Nevertheless, we didn’t have to worry about it for KC2026, and maybe it’s just recency bias, but the entire festival site somehow looked prettier than ever, especially soaked in all that sun.
The dappled rays coming through trees over in the ‘Lost Eden’ definitely made the Woodlands stage as special as we’ve ever seen it – including those magical neon nights – and we even got to chat with Yorkshire lass Ellur ahead of her spellbinding set out in the forest.
Still surprising people more than two decades in
Lots caught us by surprise this year, such as Dutch indie pop group Son Mieux (our new obsession, by the way), as well as Fletchr Fletchr, who we now believe really need to be seen live to truly appreciate every aspect of their huge potential.
And then there was rising Sunderland star Tom A. Smith (again, over in the Woodlands), who joked he was “never there” after filling in on short notice at the same festival he first played when he was 12.
Fair to say he’s come some way since then, and you won’t find many more electric performers from this very confident, talented and still very young man.
But nothing more so than the surprise acoustic set starring the legendary Pete Doherty ahead of The Libertines’ main stage slot later that day, which we had to sprint across the fields to just about catch after hearing about. We had to climb up the side of a window to get the view of those that beat us there.
This year, we also thought we’d go around and ask those who know it best just what makes it so special, and more importantly, what keeps them coming back. Here’s what they had to say:
“I’ve been five times over 11 years. I’m Cumbrian-born but based in Manchester, so there’s always the pull to travel back home for it, and I’d definitely come more if I could. First memory that pops into mind is seeing The Vaccines when they were just getting big, and now over a decade on I got to see them on the main stage all these years and albums later – really full circle.
“One of the best parts about it is just how much there is on; back when I first started coming, they still were spotlighting local bands like Colt 45, but they just so happened to be on the same bill as Snoop Dog – and now I’ve seen everyone from Tom Jones and the Sugarhill Gang to The Darkness and now Biffy.
“Despite the festival growing in size and in terms of the acts that flock to it now, it still feels like one that looks after smaller names; it’s still got that wholesome, all-ages feel, and can be enjoyed for lots more than the music. I’ve definitely grown a new appreciation for everything it has to offer as I’ve gotten older.”
Nick, 32, from Dearham
The LathumsBiffy ClyroRed Rum ClubDeaf Havana, and SO many more…Credit: Audio North
We also asked another seasoned veteran of the annual summer fest how they’d sum it up in as few words as possible, to which they responded: “Nature, variety and (at times) questionable weather.”
Once again, we’ve definitely had wetter ones in the past – it is the North of England after all – but the music gods were smiling down on us all weekend long, and that extra dose of vitamin D definitely helped keep us going.
More personal highlights include closing headliners Wolf Alice, as well as Circa Waves and Groove Armada on the final night, as we somehow managed to catch a bit of all three, not to mention Deaf Havana, who drew their loyal crowd of passionate fans and gave us one of the best sets of the whole weekend.
And then, of course, there was ‘Biffy… F***ing… Clyroooo’. The Manc arm of the Audio North team were lucky enough to catch the Scottish gods at their huge headline gig at Co-op Live, but BOY did jumping around in a sea of people from all over as confetti, streamers, fireworks, and literal fire hit even harder.
With Kendal, Tramlines, Parklife, Beat-Herder, and Neighbourhood Weekender all under our belt already this year, we feel truly blessed to be in what is undoubtedly one of the best periods for live music festivals we’ve known; you can check out some of our other reviews down below.
Other than that, all we have left to say is thank you to Hanglands and the KC crew as always for having us along, and we’ll catch you in the fields the same time next year. Over and out.
A reimagined dance music celebration is coming to Manchester later this year
Thomas Melia
Get ready to hear some of the biggest anthems in dance music, reimagined and given an orchestral transformation right here in Manchester city centre.
Powerhouse music business Ministry of Sound has been uplifting and promoting dance music through its varied and electric live events for over three decades.
Now, it’s putting an all-new take on all your favourite dancefloor fillers that have been released over the past 30 years with a 31-piece orchestra, a whole team of vocalists and a stacked setlist.
Expect to hear the likes of Fatboy Slim with his huge tune ‘Right Here, Right Now’ alongside Darude’s standout hit ‘Sandstorm’, as performed by a live orchestral arrangement and light production.
After receiving a great reception at major music settings like Gone Wild, The Big Feastival and Silverstone Festival, paired with a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall, this all-new live show now visits the music capital of the North.
Of course, it’s only fitting that Manchester gets the chance to experience this innovative twist on classics and anthems, considering the city’s vibrant club contributions like the Madchester scene and legendary music institution the Hacienda.
Now, dance, house and trance spanning the past 30 years come together courtesy of the Ministry of Sound Classical, playing out across UK locations like Brighton, Newcastle and Birmingham, as well as Manchester.
The show is playing out at city-centre gig hotspot O2 Apollo, and is about to teach 3,500 Mancunians dance music history through a dance-meets-orchestra concert like no other.
This live music extravaganza is organised and led by dance music pioneers Ministry of Sound, who developed and defined the 1990s house music scene in London and across the country.
Ministry of Sound Classical is heading to O2 Apollo in Manchester on Friday 18 December with tickets and more information available HERE.
Featured Image – Press Shot (Supplied via Ministry of Sound)
Danny Jones -
21st July 2025 
