Moment hoards of 'ticketless' Oasis fans storm Heaton Park amid safety fears for next set of gigs in Britain's second city - as 15 people are arrested

Daily Mail​

13-07-2025

This is the moment hoards of ticketless Oasis fans stormed Heaton Park as fears grow for three upcoming shows in Manchester this week and as 15 people are arrested.
Hundreds of people were seen crowded outside the venue and climbing over fences as they tried to gain entry last night.
They were caught on camera running over a fallen metal fence panel and then disappearing behind a line of trees.
They were reportedly then stopped by police after realising there was a second line of taller wooden fencing, according to Manchester Evening News.
A senior police officer confirmed that 15 people have been arrested during the first two gigs in Manchester.
Six were arrested on Friday night, most of them for being drunk and disorderly, but police also seized five drones and arrested the pilots for attempting to launch the aircraft in the 'restricted air space'.
Nine more were arrested last night, many of whom were held on suspicion of fraud after they attempted to gain entry with fake accreditation.
Greater Manchester Police said six people – five men and a woman in three separate incidents – were arrested on suspicion of fraud after attempting to access the venue with fake accreditation.
A further arrest was made of a man on suspicion of assaulting a member of security staff.
Two more men were arrested on suspicion of assault.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle said: 'We have been planning for these events for several months, working with partners and the organisers to make sure everyone can enjoy the concerts safely. To that end, I'm pleased to say that the first two Oasis homecoming events have been a success.
'What has been especially pleasing is how more than 100,000 people have enjoyed these iconic events safely and without trouble.
'We will have a highly visible presence in and around Heaton Park, and across the city, to ensure the next three events continue to pass safely.
'A number of people without tickets attempted to gain entry through a perimeter gate on Saturday night but failed to do so.
'We continue to support the event organisers and the local authority with their plans preventing any unauthorised access to the arena site.
'While arrests have thankfully been minimal, we have had to take some suspects to custody, including one after an alleged assault on a steward on Saturday night. We will not tolerate any abuse of anyone doing their job.
'On Friday night we also dealt with a number of breaches of airspace restrictions involving drones where our officers seized five drones and spoke to two other pilots.
'On Friday night we also dealt with a number of breaches of airspace restrictions involving drones where our officers seized five drones and spoke to two other pilots.
'We continue to have airspace restrictions in place on the nights of the concerts and anyone found breaching the one-and-a-half-mile restriction zone could face prosecution.'
Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher performed in front of a sold-out 80,000 strong crowd in their home city of Manchester on both Friday and Saturday night.
Concerns have now been raised for the next set of live gigs when Oasis return to Heaton park this week.
The band are set to play three sold out shows starting on Wednesday, with two more performances on Saturday and Sunday.
Oasis kicked off their World tour in Cardiff on July 4 and will head to London for five nights at Wembley stadium beginning on Friday, July 25.
On Friday evening, some of those who were unable to get tickets to the event appeared to take matters into their own hands and attempt to jump the fence.
According to Manchester Evening News, an eyewitness claimed that 'around 50 people' had tried to 'rush' one of the internal entrances to the gig area.
It was thought that 10 people got in, but the publication reported that the rest were 'apprehended and turned away.'
The police later issued a statement to MEN confirming that 'no one made it through to the concert area.'
The shows at Heaton Park - a 600-acre public park in Bury and Manchester - are the only UK shows held outside a stadium, with the others taking place at the Principality Stadium, Wembley and Murrayfield.
Elsewhere, fans were given a treat as many lucky music lovers were able to enjoy the bands opening night at Heaton Park 'for free.'
While some paid hundreds to watch the reunion gig, some were able to catch the performance on TV screens.
As the duo performed Don't Look Back In Anger, Cigarettes and Alcohol and Morning Glory could be heard across Prestwich.
Although many didn't have a ticket for the event, many were able to catch the gig on the big screens from a near by hill.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: 'Henman Hill? Welcome to Gallagher Hill #oasis.'
'Amazing night on Gallagher Hill in Heaton Park for Oasis. Best atmosphere & lovely people!'
Oasis guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, who joined the brothers on stage, shared a clip of the fans enjoying the concert from outside the venue.
Alongside the clip, he penned: 'No tickets needed,' alongside red heart emojis.
The screens which allowed hundreds in and out of the park huge screens measured 84 meters by 12 meters.
This is a whole 20 meters bigger than those in Cardiff last week and are also the largest used at a concert in the UK.
Giving his brother a hug, Liam then headed off while Noel played Half The World Away and Little By Little.
The shows at Heaton Park - a 600-acre public park in Bury and Manchester - are the only UK shows held outside a stadium, with the others taking place at the Principality Stadium, Wembley and Murrayfield.
Oasis opened their set with Hello from their 1995 second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, before playing Acquiesce.
Fans were treated to Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Cigarettes and Alcohol, and Supersonic before Noel's acoustic set.
Other songs included D'You Know What I Mean, Cast No Shadow, Stand By Me, Whatever and Rock N Roll Star.
After Rock N Roll Star, Liam said: 'Thanks for sticking with us. I know we are difficult, but you want to try being in the band,' before they left the stage.'
As chants of 'one more song!' echoed through the crowd they strolled back on to stage to play fan favourites Don't Look Back In Anger and Wonderwall.
Oasis ended the night on Champagne Supernova with fireworks being set off from the stage.
Noel and Liam were supported by their children who wrapped their arms around one another backstage before the gig began, with Liam's son Gene, 24, sharing a snap to Instagram.
He was joined by his brother Lennon, 25, and cousins, Noel's daughter Anais, 25, and his sons Donovan, 17, and Sonny, 14.
They were also joined by Pep, who has been the manager of Noel's beloved Manchester City football club since 2016.
The Spaniard donned a retro Manchester City shirt as he prepares to try and win back the top flight title they lost to Liverpool last season.
Oasis' most iconic hit 'Wonderwall' is usually played at the Etihad after the conclusion of City matches.
Noel has also joined the Spaniard at several after parties to celebrate City's triumphs in recent years.
Speaking to The Athletic earlier last year, Noel opened up on following City during a difficult period.
'I've seen City get relegated so many times,' he said. 'The worst season was going down from the First to the Second Division. I was sitting watching the game with [Primal Scream singer] Bobby Gillespie: City had to beat Stoke and somebody else had to lose.
'Afterwards he turned round and said, 'You're in the Second Division,' and I said, 'We're in the Third,' because that's what it is really, the old Third! I couldn't believe it.'
In 1995, Noel even hinted that he wanted to take over the club, shortly before the band performed at Maine Road, City's old stadium.
'I'm hoping they'll get relegated to the third division so I can buy the club for about a million quid or something like that,' Noel told a reporter.
When pushed on whether he would be interested in buying shares, he added: 'I'm not sure. It is the easiest way to waste a lot of money to put it into a football club, especially Manchester City.
'Hopefully they'll win something while I'm alive but I wouldn't put money on it.'
Oasis were supported by Cast and Richard Ashcroft who opened the stage for the band's homecoming shows.
Cast were joined by American singer P.P. Arnold as they played their latest track Poison Vine.
Performing after Cast, Richard played a number of hits including The Verve's The Drugs Don't Work before rounding off his set with Bittersweet Symphony.
As the gates opened Happy Monday's Shaun Ryder was amongst the famous faces seen arriving at the venue as he joined thousands of fans for the hotly-anticipated gig.