Musician and TikTok star Cian Ducrot caught many a Manc off-guard last week after he decided to rock up to the Arndale Centre for Christmas. With a choir.
The Irish singer-songwriter has shot to fame thanks to his social media videos over recent months, going from sharing first listens of his songs with loved ones to playing them for packed-out arenas.
Not long ago, the 25-year-old released a version of his viral track, ‘All For You’, with fellow artist and former X-Factor contestant Ella Henderson, sending the song even further across the UK.
But, most recently, he decided to pop up in and around Manchester along with his own choir to surprise locals going about their Christmas shopping. Here’s how it went:
It’s the woman who nearly has a heart attack for us, and the lady on the phone — ok, it’s all of them.
As you can see in the video, unsuspecting Mancunians riding are left shocked as Cian and co. starting belting out his other big single this year, ‘I’ll Be Waiting”, at full volume.
The acoustics in the Arndale sound pretty good, to be fair, so much so that he decides to stay and grab a coffee. Well, not really.
But the shopping wasn’t the only place Ducrot appeared in the city, as he also took his team into the middle of a busy Piccadilly Station, jumping on the piano for a quick rendition of the festive classic, ‘Hallelujah’. I mean, the perfect song for a choir, isn’t it?
However, our favourite video and undoubtedly his best surprise gig wasn’t his performance at all: it was that over a local busker playing on Market Street.
Singer JP Fretwell also happened to be playing Ducrot’s track as wrapped up Mancs walking by suddenly stopped as the writer and his choir stumbled upon his set and decided to join in.
He looks absolutely buzzing, going on to thank the Irishman for the “surreal” and “crazy moment”.
Oasis issue official ‘severe weather advice’ ahead of Manchester gigs
Daisy Jackson
Two things are inescapable in Manchester this week – one, it’s VERY warm, and two, Oasis are back.
The Gallagher brothers will officially reunite on stage in their home city on Friday and Saturday night, for the first two of their five Heaton Park gigs.
And they’ve been greeted by incredibly un-Manchester weather – scorching sunshine and soaring temperatures.
It’s lead to Oasis themselves now issuing an official statement with ‘severe weather advice’.
And yes, they have now said that we should all be wearing bucket hats for our health. Brilliant.
Temperatures will hit 29ºC on Friday and 30ºC on Saturday, with very high UV warnings issued by the Met Office for both Oasis gigs.
Oasis have shared ‘severe weather advice’ for their Manchester gigs in Heaton Park, warning fans to ‘prepare for extreme sun and heat’.
They shared tips such as ‘wear sun screen’ and ‘stay hydrated’ both at the gigs themselves and when travelling back and forth.
Oasis also said ‘wear a (bucket) hat’ and to stick to the shade where you can.
They also added: “Look after yourself and look after each other.”
The ULTIMATE guide to the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour at Heaton Park – tickets, times, setlist and more
Thomas Melia
The biggest export in Manchester music history, Oasis, are officially back performing, and they’re about to play five nights right here in Heaton Park this summer.
You can finally ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ over the years spent without the Gallaghers performing together, because the time has finally come… Their momentous homecoming is just DAYS away.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for us Mancs at least – as Oasis are heading to Heaton Park for five whole nights of Britpop brilliance.
Anyway, enough chitter-chatter, you’re here for a comprehensive Oasis gig guide for their Manchester dates, so let’s get stuck in.
Gig guide | Oasis Live ’25 at Heaton Park, Manchester – all the info
Oasis are bringing their reunion tour ‘Oasis Live ’25’ to Heaton Park across five nights in July.Credit: Supplied
Oasis UK reunion tour dates
Fri 4 July – Cardiff, UK – Principality Stadium – you can see the scenes from night one HERE.
Sat 5 July – Cardiff, UK – Principality Stadium
Fri 11 July – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park
Sat 12 July – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park
Wed 16 July – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park
Sat 19 July – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park
Sun 20 July – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park
Fri 25 July – London, UK – Wembley Stadium
Sat 26 July – London, UK – Wembley Stadium
Wed 30 July – London, UK – Wembley Stadium
Sat 2 August – London, UK – Wembley Stadium
Sat 3 August – London, UK – Wembley Stadium
Are there any Oasis tickets left for the Heaton Park shows?
We feel like you already know the answer to this one, surely?
Unfortunately, all five of their Heaton Park dates – just like the rest of the domestic shows and, indeed, all over the globe – are completely sold out.
However, you’re in luck: our music counterpart, Audio North, is running an exciting competition that includes TWO tickets to see Oasis Live ’25 right here in Manchester at Heaton Park.
Of course, there’s always the off chance of grabbing last-minute spares from friends, family and via trusted resellers like Twickets and TicketSwap, but always proceed with caution, and you might as well throw your hat in the ring whilst you’re here.
It’s simple: pay a visit to either of Heaton Park’s on-site cafes (The Stables or The Lakeside), order ‘Digsy’s Dinner’, or a little lunch for yourself, and you’ll automatically be entered into a prize draw that could see you and a mate living it large on 20 July for the Burnage boys final night in Manchester.
Oasis Live ’25 reunion setlist – so far, anyway
The Manc Britpop legends have seven studio albums to their name, so it will come as no surprise that the setlist for the ‘Oasis Live ’25’ shows is a hefty one that tries to work their way through most of the big hits, but they do prioritise the first three albums.
No ‘Shock of the Lightning’ there, if you’ll pardon the pun.
Oasis starring in their official music video for ‘Wonderwall’ in 1995.Credit: Screenshot via YouTube
Here’s the setlist from the first two nights of the Live ’25 reunion tour, as Oasis played a pair of biblical shows at Principality Stadium in Cardiff to kick off their long-awaited comeback. Of course, they’ll most likely tweak and experiment with this lineup of tracks from time to time, but here’s how it looks so far:
Hello
Acquiesce
Morning Glory
Some Might Say
Bring It On Down
Cigarettes & Alcohol
Fade Away
Supersonic
Roll With It
Talk Tonight
Half the World Away
Little by Little
D’You Know What I Mean?
Stand by Me
Cast No Shadow
Slide Away
Whatever
Live Forever
Rock ‘n’ Roll Star
The Masterplan
Don’t Look Back in Anger
Wonderwall
Champagne Supernova
Die-hard fans will be pleased to hear they do still walk out to their iconic intro, ‘F***in’ in the Bushes’, so there is some representation post-Be Here Now.
He also confirmed the Cardiff set times prematurely, too. Someone should really take his phone off him at this point…
Nevertheless, we were pleased to see Wigan’s finest, Richard Ashcroft, confirmed as the first warm-up act, who had no shame in confessing he was absolutely “buzzing” to be a part of the reunion shows.
The former Verve frontman and the Gallaghers are big supporters of one another, and we’re sure that Heaton Park will erupt into chaos the second ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ plays out this July.
The Liverpool natives are known for smash hit singles including ‘Walkaway’, ‘Finetime’ and ‘Sandstorm’, joining the younger Gallagher brother, describing these upcoming gig opportunities as “biblical”.
Heaton Park layout and map for the Live ’25 reunion shows
Many might have understandably assumed that Heaton Park would be set pretty much identical to the Parklife configuration for Oasis’ Manchester gigs, but you’d be wrong.
This isn’t just any gig or festival like we’ve seen before; it’s a full-blown cultural event – hence why the organisers have put so much effort into making the massive outdoor space into the perfect venue to welcome home the Britpop giants.
You can also find an interactive map on the band’s official website, with details on key historical and heritage sites related to Oasis, hot spots, and the best places to drink, plus tonnes more.
What are the drinks prices for the Oasis gigs?
Drinks prices for Oasis at Heaton Park in Manchester
You might be pleasantly surprised at the drinks prices up at Heaton Park for Oasis Live ’25.
It’s now been confirmed that pints of lager and cider will be just £6.50.
Before you turn your nose up, remember that pints at our two arenas – the AO Arena and Co-op Live are now sitting around the £9 mark.
Prices for other drinks, like wine and spirits, we’ll have to wait until Friday to see.
You don’t have to travel ‘Half The World Away’ to find a good selection of Oasis merchandise, our bustling city is full of it – and we for one certainly aren’t complaining.
Ahead of the biggest Manchester gigs of the year, two exclusive Oasis merchandise pop-up shops have opened – one of them being on the city’s shopping hub, Market Street, which has seen the band’s long-standing affinity with adidas rekindled.
Launching to the general public on Thursday, 3 July, adidas and Oasis have teamed up to open a pop-up shop selling an exclusive 90s-inspired collection.
There might even be some merch items that have been right under your nose the whole time, like these impressive and colourful tees from jeans mastermind Levi’s in Manchester Arndale.
Any eager-eyed office commuters will have noticed there’s an official merchandise pop-up trailer outside Manchester Central Library at St. Peter’s Square ahead of the five monumental shows – you can see merch prices here.
And of course, there will be merch points spread across various locations in Heaton Park where you can sport your very own Oasis-branded apparel and accessories like a keyring or bottle opener.
There’s plenty of t-shirts and Oasis memorabilia at the official fan shop in Spinningfields.You can shop Oasis merch at multiple Manchester stores including Levi’s.Credit: The Manc
How to get to Heaton Park
Last but not least, if you’ve never been to the massive green space before, your best bet is to travel via tram or other Bee Network public transport. Metrolink services will be running direct from Victoria to the venue during the day, and thankfully, it’s just a case of getting off at the Heaton Park tram stop itself.
From there, you can enter the event site via the North Gate; after the party is over, the Bowker Vale tram stop located near the East Gate is your quickest exit. Please also be mindful that Heaton Park station will also be closed from 9pm due to help with congestion and safety reasons.
Otherwise, the usual Big Green Coaches will also be running from the city centre, which can be booked in advance, and taxis home will be available from Blackley New Road and along Bury Old Road.
The posters of our Burnage boys Liam and Noel have been cropping up around town.
Throughout the city, there are also lots of official Oasis wayfinding signage which direct any concertgoers to the tram stop at Victoria, which runs directly to Heaton Park every 6 minutes on Oasis gig days.
Alongside this, a shuttle bus service will be running from Lever Street to Heaton Park and back on any of the upcoming Manchester Oasis dates.
The signage will direct people arriving at Piccadilly Station through the Northern Quarter to Victoria Station to either the shuttle buses or the Victoria trams.
And that should be just all the important key information you need to know ahead of what is sure to be nothing short of one of the most memorable nights of your life and in music history.
We’re sure you’re about to have a ‘Supersonic’ night, let’s just hope the weather makes sure to ‘Cast No Shadow’ over these five very important nights of Manchester music history – the last of our puns for today, we promise.
Danny Jones -
19th December 2022 
