The Best There Was, The Best There Is And The Best There Ever Will Be

In 1997, photographer Jill Furmanovsky took a picture of Oasis sitting in a pub, on a blackboard behind them was scribbled these words: "The Best There Was, The Best There Is And The Best There Ever Will Be." Having watched the band at Heaton Park last night (20th July 2025), I can confirm those statements still ring true, nearly 30 years on. 

After the 80,000-strong crowd had been greeted by Cast (the less said about that, the better) and a brilliant Verve setlist from Richard Ashcroft. Ending with the unofficial national anthem, 'Bittersweet Symphony.' 

Oasis took to the stage at around 20:15 and quickly got the party started. Opening with 'Hello' before quickly breaking into 'Acquiesce', the song sees both brothers take on vocal duties. Hearing Noel sing the chorus of "Because we need each other/ We believe in one another." After Liam had absolutely smashed the verses, it was just one of many standout moments. 12 months ago, this reunion didn't seem possible, and to watch both of them on stage together on the last night in their hometown is an experience I'll never ever forget.  

The setlist didn't let up, though. 'Morning Glory' and 'Some Might Say' were tracks 3 and 4, and again both received rapturous response from the 80,000-strong crowd. 'Bring It On Down', the punkiest song of the setlist, was dedicated to the thousands of fans who defied the rules put in place by Manchester City Council and would not be deterred by a metal fence. 

Not only did these fans have a song dedicated to them, but cameras had been placed on the hill and throughout the concert, we would go live to Gallagher Hill. The band also had 1000 Gallagher Hill t-shirts printed for those who were watching. Some say there were up to 10,000 people on the hill last night, alongside the 80,000 people within the park itself.

After a couple of small dedications, first to the current Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, and then to the wonderkid Phil Foden. Both of whom were watching the gig from the VIP section, Liam ordered the crowd even the Man United fans to join in with the poznan for 'Cigarettes & Alcohol' in a rather weird but beautiful moment, the 80,000 strong crowd turned around to face away from the stage, friends embraced arm in, new friends were made as strangers united with one sole purpose. Jump. 

It felt as if the show shifted gear at that point; the crowd somehow seemed to find another level, as did the band. Simply put, it was one of those special concert moments.

'Fade Away' was dedicated to the people of Manchester. 'Supersonic' felt more cutting than I'd ever heard it before. Having both Noel and Bonehead playing the guitar parts and Gem Archer playing the supporting role adds a real meatiness to the songs that was missing quite often from the brothers' solo tours. One of the real highlights of the gig. 

The song came second in the Battle of Britpop, 'Roll With It' brought the first part of the setlist to an end, a song at first I was a little bit annoyed was on the setlist. However, after watching footage and being at the show last night. I can see why the band decided to include it, the song is a real crowd pleaser and a fan favourite. Like with many Oasis songs. 'Roll With It' has a whole new dynamic when performed live. Liam then left the stage and let his older brother take over vocal duties for three songs. Two of the band's most beloved B-sides, and the only song from the post-2000s era in the setlist. 

'Talk Tonight' came first. One of my favourite Oasis songs, and one of the moments of the gig. Just as Noel began to play the opening chords, the heavens opened. It was Manchester after all, and it was destined to rain at least once. Dampen spirits it did not, in fact, I'd argue it did the opposite. The rain seemed to ignite the crowd again.

The next song was dedicated to The Royle Family. After a few boos from the Manchester crowd, Noel quickly clarified that he meant the family from the beloved British sitcom, not the actual Royal Family. 'Half the World Away' has since become one of Oasis’s most cherished songs. It remains a staple in Noel’s solo setlists, was famously featured in a John Lewis Christmas advert, and, of course, serves as the iconic theme tune to The Royle Family. Heaton Park last night sang it like their lives depended on it. Which caused Noel to appear a little teary-eyed on stage. 

Oasis have stuck mostly to their 1990s material for the Live 25 tour, only including one song from the post-2000 era, a choice I think was correct, however, a choice that some have believed was the wrong thing to do. 'Little by Little' was the perfect choice for the song to remain, though, live, it eclipses the studio version; the song feels more powerful, more euphoric, perfect for a show of this size and magnitude.

Liam returned to the stage, with the rain now really coming down, to blast through some of the finest tracks off of 'Be Here Now' starting with 'D'You Know What I Mean' a song released when Oasis were on top of the world in 1997, and with the concerts that they have been playing so far on this tour, they have gotten back to the top. 

The band are all in exceptional form, Joey, the new drummer, is great, Andy Bell is holding it all together, Gem Archer has been around the Oasis camp and both brothers' bands after the breakup, Bonehead is the glue that holds the dynamic together, bridging the gap between old and new. Liam is in the finest voice I've ever heard him in. I thought last year's 'Definitely Maybe' tour was good, this is exceptional, and Noel, well, his voice has never faded away, his guitar playing is brilliant, and he's managed to pick up the lead guitar role despite saying in numerous interviews that he thought he'd lost the ability to. It's truly something to see.

'Stand By Me' followed, and performed with a live band, it has a real driving force. 'Be Here Now' often gets overlooked due to its length and the quality of some songs, 'Stand By Me' though is still a majestic affair, festooned with visuals of family snapshots throughout, one of the underrated moments of the concert.

Both brothers take vocal duties on 'Cast No Shadow', a song that neither of them could nail without the other, despite both trying. The version performed in Manchester was perfect. My favourite song of the night came next, in the form of 'Slide Away', a song dedicated to the "love birds" by Liam Gallagher. The song that I and thousands of others believe is Oasis's finest moment. 

Last night reinforced that thought. With both Liam and Noel sharing vocals, Noel's guitar was rapturous, and the whole thing felt almighty. Being in the field last night, hearing it was truly special, and the crazy thing was. We all knew there was still more to come.

'Whatever' and its orchestral refrain echoed around Manchester, despite being over 30 years old and a lot of the crowd not being born when it was originally released, you can barely hear the band over the 80,000-strong crowd bellowing the song back at the brothers Gallagher. 

'Live Forever' was the penultimate song of the main set, dedicated to all of the people who "aren't here but are here." It's one of those moments that I don't think any of the crowd will forget. The whole moment felt significant, in a concert full of moments, every person will have had their own moments at the show, 'Live Forever' was one of mine.  I just stood completely still and watched in awe. The hours of waiting, the Ticketmaster queues, the solo gigs, the long car journeys, the train stations, the support bands (good and bad), the warm flat pints, the mud, the rain, all of it was worth it. All of it!

That song and the band are embedded within me as a person and into the other three people I was with. Oasis has defined multiple generations, and has become embedded into the national psyche, love them or hate them. They're part of the furniture. 

'Rock n Roll Star' was the final song of the main set, the song that is still Liam Gallagher's manifesto 31 years later. He still means and more importantly, believes every single word, when the crowd sang the chorus lines back to him, "tonight I'm a Rock n Roll Star." Liam responded with "Yes, you fucking are." He was right, we were all Rock n Roll Stars, in that moment.

The band then left the stage, but everyone knew it wasn't over. There were four songs left to play. After a few minutes, Oasis re-emerged minus Liam, and Noel was going to get his second moment of the concert. 

First performing arguably the best song he's ever written, and definitely the best song he wasted as a B-side, 'The Masterplan'.Taking the moments before to introduce the band, "Mr Gem, Mr Andy Bell, Mr Joey Waronker and the man who needs no introduction but is getting one anyway, Mr Bonehead."

Before performing 'Don't Look Back in Anger', Noel thanked the people of Manchester. “For the last ten days, the eyes of the world have been on this city of Manchester, and I just want to say to all Mancunians, you’ve done yourself fucking proud. “We’ve got people coming in from all over the world… what I can say by staying in the city is you’ve still fucking got it, Manchester."

Liam earlier made his own heartfelt thanks saying: "It’s been amazing being here the last fucking ten days, you’ve actually blown whatever brain cells I had left, they’re well and truly gone.”

'Fade Away' had been dedicated to the people of Manchester, but 'Don't Look Back in Anger' was their moment. The song in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack became an anthem of defiance, a symbol of strength, healing words by one of the city's finest songwriters. I've heard the song performed in Manchester before, but not sung by 80,000 people who were in fine voice. It was special.

In tribute to those who lost their lives, bees gathered across the screens. The bee became the symbol of the city, following what happened. The band know just how much the song means to the city.

Liam returned to the stage for the final two songs, first 'Wonderwall', another song that has become ingrained in society. A song we love to hate, but last night even the most hardcore Oasis fan was singing along to it, like they were a teenager at their first party. 

The glorious epic swirl of the everlasting 'Champagne Supernova' brought the show to its end. 

A grand closer to what had been for many, including me, the best gig they'd ever seen. Despite its nonsensical lyrics, the song seems to take on a different meaning for everyone in the field, cinematic and euphoric; it was the perfect climax to 2 hours of hit after hit.

As the band left the stage, Noel and Liam arm in arm, what followed was the best firework display I'd ever seen. A breathtaking finale.

This was a post I never thought I'd write. When the reunion was announced last year in Wythenshawe Park, we desperately wanted tickets, and thankfully, we managed to get four in the pre-sale. I know how lucky I was to get to see it. 

The fifteen-year-old me dreamt of an Oasis reunion, and ten years later, I got to see it.

Oasis Played: 

‘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’

Encore:
‘The Masterplan’
‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’
‘Wonderwall’
‘Champagne Supernova’

Thank you ever so much for reading. 

Jack