Oasis defiant response to ‘woke' council bosses who ‘threatened to AXE' Heaton Park show over Gallagher Hill row

The Sun

5 days ago

COUNCIL bosses worried about ticketless Oasis fans harming young trees in a park threatened to axe one of their gigs.
But brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher faced down the 'woke, pen-pushing drones' — giving 1,000 free T-shirts to people watching Sunday's show from 'Gallagher Hill' in Heaton Park, Manchester.
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Insiders said they were warned officials would pull the plug on their final sell-out Manchester show after thousands descended on 'Gallagher Hill' to hear the concerts for free.
Those close to brothers Noel, 58, and Liam, 52, said they were incensed by the threat and went all out to give fans a night to remember on Sunday — including paying for 1,000 limited-edition free T-shirts.
Their generous gesture came days after Manchester Council ordered a fence to be erected in the city's ­Heaton Park, blocking the view of several large screens near the stage from a nearby knoll — which has been dubbed Gallagher Hill.
A source said: 'Noel and Liam got word that Manchester City Council were threatening to pull the plug on their final night at ­Heaton Park because of fans without tickets gathering on Gallagher Hill.
'They were incensed and went all out to make them feel welcome. They won't be dictated to by some woke, pen-pushing drones on Manchester City Council.'
Those close to the band said Liam and Noel spent hours before the gigs on Saturday and Sunday nights working out how to help those fans on Gallagher Hill.
Our source explained: 'One plan included putting a jumbo screen on a truck and putting it out for fans on Gallagher Hill but they came up against health and safety bores — so that was vetoed.
'Instead they had one of their videographers go up to Gallagher Hill for the last show, which was then beamed back into Heaton Park so fans inside the show could see them.
"Noel and Liam also personally paid for 1,000 T-shirts to be made overnight and then handed out to fans including young kids.
'The music was turned up extra loud for the final night, too.
Oasis kick off first Manchester homecoming gig after 16 years away
'It was a gesture of defiance from them and they wanted to show the fans who came to Gallagher Hill each night they were just as important as those who were lucky enough to get their hands on a ticket.
Noel and Liam were incensed ..and went all out to make ticketless fans feel welcome.
Source close to band
'As far as Noel and Liam are concerned, Oasis is a band of the people. And that means everyone.'
Their two-fingered triumph was met with glee on Gallagher Hill.
Liam made a point of mentioning fans on both nights before playing 1994 album track Bring It On Down.
On Saturday he said: 'If you lot are listening on the hill . . . bring it on down.' And on Sunday night, Liam called out: 'I want you fans on the hill to be getting involved as well. Even if you're Man United fans.'
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Noel added 'We're going live to Gallagher Hill,' as their videographer streamed footage on to the screens — the largest ever used at a concert in the UK.
A team in a golf buggy were also seen driving to Gallagher Hill to hand out the free T-shirts created by Noel and Liam. One lucky fan reckoned: 'Oasis isn't just a band, it's a culture.'
Yesterday the Gallaghers asked for help identifying four youngsters pictured on Gallagher Hill — including one with a T-shirt.
On Instagram they asked their millions of followers: 'If you recognise the young legends in these shots, DM us today.'
An insider added: 'Noel and Liam's team want to reach out to these kids who were on Gallagher Hill but didn't get tickets.
'For them, these concerts are all about connecting with their fans.
' Not everyone got tickets but that doesn't mean they should be stopped from enjoying the music.'
I'm so happy Liam and Noel acknowledged those who went to Gallagher Hill to hear them.
Oasis fan's tweet
The pair's gestures went down a storm, with one fan tweeting: 'I'm so happy both Liam and Noel acknowledged those who went to Gallagher Hill to hear them.
'We all need music — rich or poor. I'm glad they know how much Oasis means to so many people from different backgrounds.'
Another said of the atmosphere on Sunday night, when the music could be heard five miles away: 'Thousands were there, all ages, bucket hats galore, all knew every lyric and were having a top time.'
The council claimed they had put up the fence to protect livestock and newly-planted trees.
A herd of Highland cattle spend the summer in the park, returning to their farm for the winter.
Last week Councillor John Hacking said: 'The steps being taken ahead of the next concert regretfully mean the distant view of the large screens behind the event stage will no longer be there.
'Unfortunately our hand has been forced in having to put these additional measures in place to protect the very recent extensive planting of young trees in that location as we try to establish a new woodland area in the park, and the well-being of our cattle herd in the field, as well as to keep people in the park safe.
"Our advice to music fans who don't have tickets for the concerts is to head into the city centre instead.
'We've got some fantastic things going on with a real party atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, whether they've got tickets for the Oasis gigs or not.'
The Oasis Live '25 tour resumes on Friday with the first of five gigs at London's Wembley Stadium.
The band will then play in Edinburgh and Dublin before heading to Canada, the US and Mexico. Two further Wembley gigs are lined up in September.
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