We’re all set to take a big trip down memory lane this weekend, when The Clone Roses and a whole host of Manchester tribute bands take to the stage at Heaton Park.
The momentous show, titled Heaton Park: The Resurrection, is in celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Clone Roses, who are the most successful The Stone Roses tribute band.
They’ll be joined on the stage at the outdoor gig by names like Oas-is, The Smiths Ltd, and Courtbetweeners.
It’s all taking place on Saturday 13 May, a decade after The Stone Roses’ 2012 reunion gigs at Heaton Park.
And while it’s mostly tribute acts harking back to the heyday of Manchester’s music scene, there will be a few actual familiar faces on the bill.
Bez from the Happy Mondays, and legendary DJ Clint Boon, will both be spinning tunes in the park.
Gav Scott (aka ‘Ian Brown’) says: “We’ve been wanting to do Heaton Park for ages but it’s such a popular and busy park. When the opportunity finally came, we couldn’t say no!
“Over the years, we’ve played the Blackpool Empress Ballroom, Spike Island, and now this… it feels like we’ve completed The Stone Roses cycle to a certain degree!”
Here’s everything you need to know for The Clone Roses in Heaton Park.
Tickets for The Clone Roses in Heaton Park
The Clone Roses. Credit: Manc Wanderer
Final release tickets are now on sale with just one day to go until the big day.
General admission is priced at £31.50 face value (or £34.65 including booking fee) and you can grab your tickets from Ticketline here.
Who’s on the line-up?
All the biggest names in Manchester’s 80s and 90s music scene… except not quite.
The tribute show will be showcasing the incredible music history of the city, from The Stone Roses to Courteeners to The Smiths, all performed by talented tribute bands.
That means audiences will be treated to sets from (here come the puns) The Clone Roses, Courtbetweeners, The James Experience, Happy Mondaze, Oas-is, and The Smiths Ltd.
Plus sets from actual Manc legends Bez and Clint Boon.
What are the stage times?
Stage times are always subject to change, but this is the expected running order for The Clone Roses at Heaton Park.
1pm – Gates open
1.50pm – Happy Mondaze
2.50pm – The James Experience
3.50pm – Courtbetweeners
5pm – The Smiths Ltd
6.05pm – Bez
7pm – Oas-is
8.15pm – The Clone Roses
About the venue
For The Clone Roses gig at Heaton Park, there’ll be a strict 18+ age limit in place.
Ticket-holders can only bring one small bag each, no bigger than A4 size.
There’s a list of prohibited items (including alcohol, fireworks, umbrellas and selfie sticks) which you should check before you go.
Security checks and searches will be in operation throughout the night.
Customers arriving on foot are advised to head for Gate 13 at Heaton Park, which is directly opposite the Heaton Park tram stop. Additional Metrolink services will be in operation to get gig-goers in and out of the area as quickly and safely as possible.
Other gates will be open for entry, but Gate 13 will be the only one used to exit at the end of the night.
If you’re getting dropped off by car, or driving yourself, you should use Gate 15 off St Margaret’s Road – follow the signs and instructions from staff on site.
There are still coach tickets available from several cities to Heaton Park, through Big Green Coach Co.
The nearest train station is Manchester Victoria, from which you can jump on a tram out to the gig site – but be aware of train strikes running on 13 May.
Featured image: Manc Wanderer
Audio
Noel Gallagher speaks out in first major interview since Oasis reunion began
Danny Jones
Noel Gallagher has given his first major interview since the long-dreamt-of Oasis reunion tour began this summer, and it’s quite surreal to hear some of the candid commentshe made in his most recent talkSPORT appearance.
Appearing on a radio show this week, the world-famous Mancunian songwriter spoke with lead anchor and friend, Andy Goldstein, as well as guest host Darren Bent, on how the tour has gone so far, even addressing talk of more shows next year.
Steady, let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet…
Nevertheless, the clip of the rather off-the-cuff chat quickly went viral online, with the elder Gallagher brother beginning by stating that “it’s difficult to put into words”, joking that he’s “not usually” short for them – and that’s just the intro.
"I'm completely blown away."
"It's difficult to put into words. It's been truly amazing."
Noel Gallagher speaks on being 'blown away' on the response to Oasis' reunion gigspic.twitter.com/m8aKCCAoOb
As he goes on to explain, each night of the Live ’25 tour has had that element of “the first time”, especially given that each set of fans inside the various arenas each night is genuinely ending their 16-year wait every time they step out on stage.
But, most notably, it’s what Noel goes on to say about his brother Liam that has been lapped up on social media, and it’s not hard to see why.
After being probed by Goldstein on what it’s like to be back playing with him post-reconciliation, the 58-year-old admitted, “It’s just great being back in the band with Liam” and the rest of the boys.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Noel went on to say: “Liam‘s smashing it […] I’m proud of him”, confessing that he doesn’t think he can deliver that same level of stadium-size frontman energy night after night.
One part that particularly moved us and millions of others online was the moment he simply said, “I forgot how funny he was.”
We’re not crying, you are.
👏 "It's great being back in the band with Liam. He forgot how funny he was."
While he wouldn’t be drawn into any overly emotional talk about reuniting with his previously estranged sibling and bandmate, reiterating that there are just not those kinds of people, you could clearly hear how touched the Manc music legend has been by the whole experience already.
Conceding that “when it’s all said and done, we’ll sit back and reflect on it”, the images of him welling up mid-song, laughing and joking with Liam, dancing with Bonehead as they play guitar opposite each other, and so many other moments paint a thousand words.
The reaction from fans has been just as wholesome and heartwarming, too; some joked that “the planet has well and truly healed”, another said, “You have no idea how happy this makes me,’ and one went so far as to say ‘I’ve never heard him talk about Liam like this.”
You can hear everything from the Oasis-related section of Noel Gallagher’s most recent talkSPORT interview in full down below:
We’ve heard Noel talking about Liam before, and multiple times in talkSPORT appearances, but he’s never given an interview like this.
Featured Images — Raph_PH (via Flickr)/Publicity Picture
Audio
Everything you need to know about Manchester Pride 2025 – parade route, lineup, tickets, and more
Thomas Melia
One of the biggest highlights in Manchester’s events calendar, Manchester Pride 2025, is ready to take over the city centre for the party of a lifetime.
Manchester Pride 2025 is upon us, and we’ve got everything you need ahead of this fun-filled, glitter-covered, disco-driven big weekend.
This event isn’t just a party – it’s a spectacular coming together of a community who aim to spread love and joy through various celebrations, with glorious music from some truly incredible artists and acts to look forward to.
The four-day occasion consists of a city-wide parade, a lineup of music performances, and closed out by a poignant candlelit vigil which each year commemorates members of the Queer community who sadly lost their lives to HIV.
Here’s everything you need to know about Manchester Pride 2025.
Here’s everything you need to know about Manchester Pride 2025 / Credit: Supplied
Manchester Pride 2025 – Parade
The parade will start on Deansgate near Beetham Tower, before making its way onto Liverpool Road and Oxford Street.
This route then sees the parade make its way onto Portland Street and Princess Stree, before finishing off on Whitworth Street and Fairfield Street – a stone’s throw away from Mardi Gras.
Check back soon for all the information you need to do about Parade route road closures.
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Tickets for Manchester Pride Festival 2025
There are two options for tickets if you’re looking at attending Manchester Pride Festival 2025.
If you’re after dancing the night away to an impressive live music lineup at Mardi Gras and continuing the night at the Gay Village Party, then you can buy a ticket which covers you for both HERE.
Anyone who’s after boogying til the sun comes up at the Gay Village Party, but skipping the live music can bag themselves a ticket or two HERE.
Crowds at Manchester Pride Festival on Canal Street / Credit: Supplied
Once you’ve purchased your preferred ticket, you can trade them in for your official Manchester Pride Festival 2025 wristband at two city centre locations.
The first box office can be found at Depot Mayfield – where Mardi Gras is taking place – and will be open from 12pm to 7pm on Saturday 23 August, and 12:30pm to 7pm on Sunday 24 August.
An alternative box office can be found in the Gay Village, which will be open across all three dates Friday 23, Saturday 24, and Sunday 25 August from 12pm to 11pm.
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Who’s on the lineup at Manchester Pride 2025?
Four huge names are fronting the bill for Manchester Pride 2025 – with each and every one of them being a certified hitmaker.
Saturday’s lineup sees a headline slot for former Little Mix star, now solo sensation, Leigh-Anne, who will be playing discography classics like ‘Don’t Say Love’, ‘My Love’, and her latest single ‘Been A Minute’.
Broadway star and highly-successful artist, Billy Porter, joins the pop princess and Manchester’s biggest festivals of the year, and you best believe he’ll make ‘Everybody Say Yeah’.
UK Eurovision entry and certified ‘Sweet Talker’, Olly Alexander, is playing out a selection of bangers on Sunday’s lineup, and he’s ready to ‘Shine’ to his heart’s content.
Nelly Furtado completes the headline slots – and yes I did ‘Say It Right’ – as the ‘Maneater’ herself was recently announced as the surprise headliner to close out Sunday’s celebrations.
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How to get to Manchester Pride Festival 2025?
Transport to Manchester Pride Festival 2025 / Credit: TfGM
By tram – The easiest way to get to and from Manchester Pride Festival is using Metrolink. The nearest stops are Piccadilly Gardens (for the Gay Village Party), and Deansgate-Castlefield or St Peter’s Square (for the Parade).
By train – The closest train stations to the event are Manchester Piccadilly or Oxford Road.
By bus – Take a bus to Manchester Piccadilly Gardens. From there, the Gay Village Party event site is a two-minute walk and just across the road.
By plane – From Manchester Airport, you can take a train or the Metrolink tram to Manchester Piccadilly. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Piccadilly Gardens from the airport.
By car – Manchester will be very busy with a number of road closures in place over Manchester Pride weekend, so if you really need to drive, you might want to look at using a ‘park and ride’ and completing your journey by tram.
Daisy Jackson -
12th May 2023 
