Boozy picnics on 'Gallagher Hill' as hundreds of Oasis fans clamour for a glimpse of Heaton Park magic

Yahoo

14 hours ago

The sun was shining, the drinks were flowing, the atmosphere was electric.
It was, of course, the second night of Oasis' Heaton Park residency. The city - gripped by Gallagher fever - welcomed Liam, Noel and co back on Saturday (July 11) following Friday's incredible gig.
A homecoming of epic proportions, Oasis made history yet again as 80,000 fans were stunned by a set of classics with renewed passion and power.
Following that incredible night in Manchester, the Gallaghers brought the tunes, the energy and the 90s nostalgia once again.
While tens of thousands of diehard fans partied in Heaton Park, screaming every lyric at the top of their lungs, some weren't so lucky. But they weren't going to let the small of issue of being ticketless get in their way.
Hundreds gathered on nearby 'Gallagher Hill' after some clever clogs noticed the huge gig screens were visible and the sound was decent.
Images showed massive crowds on the adjacent field taking part in a mass sing-along. They may not have been inside, but they got a flavour of the atmosphere and felt part of something truly special.
In a poignant moment, as Noel played Half the World Away, the crowds on the hill swayed, arm in arm, filming on their phones.
Picnics - and drinks - were enjoyed as families, friends, couples and dogs relaxed on the grass. Some took maracas and tambourines. And, of course, it was a sea of bucket hats.
When Richard Ashcroft played crowd favourite Bittersweet Symphony, a chant began: "You can shove your f****g tickets up your a**e."
While the vast majority enjoyed the night in good spirits, some were daft enough to try and break into the concert area.
Video captured the moment scores of ticketless fans stormed metal fences as the band took to the stage. The clip shows a stream of people running over a fallen panel and disappearing behind a line of trees.
Another video shows fans realising there is a second line of much taller, wooden fencing. It was later confirmed nobody managed to get inside.
Once those antics were put to bed, the fun on Gallagher Hill continued.
A group of teenage girls donning feather boas said: "We tried to get tickets but they were sold out... they were going for £600 for one ticket.
"We've been trying to find it [the hill] for about six hours. We're not massive fans, but it's just nice to be here."
Police and security kept watch over those gathered, but other than the earlier rush for the fences, things were good natured.
Gutted for so many months they'd be unable to see their heroes in the flesh, those who experienced the incredible show from the hill can say they were there. Kind of.
Yards away, on the other side of the fence, the energy was off the scale.
With the same set list as Friday, fans were treated to all the classics. "Biblical. F*****g biblical," Liam earlier told them.
They clearly agreed.
On the streets, as thousands spilled out of the park - preparing for the three-ish mile walk into town, or battling for a space on a tram - there was a carnival atmosphere.
They belted out Don't Look Back in Anger as they stopped by a curry house. They played air guitar to Champagne Supernova as they packed the shuttle buses.
Then followed the familiar chant: "LIAM... LIAM."