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If you’ve walked through Manchester this summer, chances are you’ve heard it. That unmistakable roar of a thousand voices belting out “Don’t Look Back in Anger” — pint in hand, arm round your best mate’s shoulder. Yep, Oasis are back. Well, sort of.
Whether you grew up on their Britpop anthems or you’re just here for the buzz, the Oasis reunion gigs have brought a tidal wave of fans into the city. So, what’s the story, morning glory? Let’s dive in.
Picture it: early ‘90s, Burnage, South Manchester. Two brothers, Liam and Noel Gallagher, armed with attitude, an ever-growing back catalogue of bangers, and enough Manc swagger to fill the Hacienda twice over.
By 1994, Oasis exploded onto the scene with Definitely Maybe, the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history at the time. Hits like “Live Forever” and “Supersonic” made them the loudest voice of a generation that was desperate to feel alive again. And Manchester — already buzzing with the legacy of bands like The Smiths and Joy Division — now had new kings.
If there’s one thing Oasis fans know, it’s that the Gallaghers’ family rows are almost as legendary as their music. Over the years, the brothers have had enough on-stage tantrums, microphone stand throws and insults to fill a tabloid column every week.
By 2009, it all came crashing down backstage at Rock en Seine festival in Paris — the final straw that ended Oasis as we knew it. For 16 years, fans held onto hope, scrolling through clickbait headlines every time Liam or Noel so much as tweeted a cryptic message.
But this summer, the impossible happened. Tickets sold out in minutes. Hotels booked up across the city. Manchester — the band’s spiritual home — came alive in a way that only an Oasis reunion could deliver.
Next time you’re out with mates (maybe at Definitely Maybe Bar, hidden under Afflecks Palace — worth a visit for any Oasis fan), here are a few bits of trivia to show off:
✓ Noel Gallagher once claimed he wrote “Supersonic” in half an hour. Not bad for a song that still packs out stadiums.
✓ The iconic Knebworth shows in 1996 drew 250,000 fans across two nights — and apparently, over 2.5 million people tried to get tickets. That’s four times the population of Manchester.
✓ Liam Gallagher named his son Lennon after John Lennon. No surprise there.
Beyond the sold-out stadiums and pub singalongs, the Oasis reunion has been a blessing for local businesses. From indie record shops shifting vintage vinyls, to bars pouring endless pints, to food tours (that’s us!) guiding visitors around the spots that shaped the band’s story.
There’s an unspoken rule in Manchester — when we celebrate our music, we celebrate our city. The Northern Quarter, Ancoats, and the gritty backstreets of Burnage all carry Oasis echoes. Grab a pint at The Star & Garter, where indie kids and Manc legends have danced for decades, or wander through Sifters record shop — immortalised in “Shakermaker”.
If you’re in town for the reunion (or just fancy feeling part of the buzz), here’s a few tips:
✓ Book ahead: Pubs, hotels, and taxis will be rammed on gig nights.
✓ Check out Definitely Maybe Bar: Oasis-themed cocktails, classic album décor, and indie anthems on loop.
✓ Walk it off: Our Flavours of Manchester tours are the perfect excuse to stretch your legs after a night singing your heart out. We’ll show you the hidden sides of Manchester — from Cottonopolis heritage to the food & drink spots Oasis themselves might’ve stumbled into back in the day.
Love them or hate them, you can’t deny it — Oasis put Manchester on the global map. And if you’re lucky enough to be here while they’re back on stage, soak it in. Sing loud, hug your mates tight, and raise a glass to the city that gave us the Gallaghers, the anthems, and the attitude.
Ready to explore Manchester’s flavours while you’re here?
Check out our walking tours — a local’s view of the food, history and culture that built this buzzing city.
Call:07507 706520
Email:info@flavoursofmanchester.com
