13-05-2025
Oasis guitar up for auction to celebrate 'Manchester Live 25' huge summer of music
With their iconic homecoming gigs now only weeks away, music legends Oasis are donating a guitar for auction to celebrate their return and help kickstart a big summer of music.
The guitar, an Epiphone Riviera, has been signed by Liam and Noel Gallagher, and will go on display in Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square ahead of the band's live return to their home city this July.
It will then be auctioned off in September, to raise money for grassroots music projects and venues across Manchester.
The guitar will be the centrepiece of an auction that will also feature new and 'pre-loved' guitars from celebrities, including other Manchester musicians - and members of the public are invited to donate their guitars, too.
Selected donated guitars will be displayed in shop windows and other venues across the city in July and August.
An Oasis spokesperson said: "We're delighted to donate this guitar, signed by Liam and Noel, to help support Manchester's grassroots music projects and kickstart the series of celebrations."
The auction is part of 'Music for the Senses,' a city centre takeover commissioned by the city council, from global art producer Wild in Art, and in association with charity Forever Manchester.
The takeover will see guitar-themed artworks, exhibitions, and other installations appear throughout Manchester's streets and squares in July and August.
Pop-up shops, impromptu performances, music-themed markets, and a festival bar are also planned.
Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council and local councillor for Burnage ward, where the Gallagher brothers grew up, said: "This promises to be the summer of all summers in Manchester as we get set to welcome music fans from every part of the globe for a massive three months of nonstop live music.
"To have the legends that are Oasis back in town for a supersonic string of homecoming gigs front and centre of Manchester this summer is going to be epic.
"A huge thank you also to Liam and Noel for getting behind our end-of-summer guitar auction to help up-and-coming young artists and raise money for our fantastic grassroots music projects and venues across the city.
"Music for the Senses will be one of Manchester's iconic attractions this summer.
"It's an incredible donation from them to kickstart the auction and is certain to attract plenty of bidders on the night."
Music events in Manchester from June to August, not least the Oasis gigs at Heaton Park, have prompted the moniker 'Manchester Live 25.'
Performances from Charlie XCX, 50 Cent, Elbow, Fontaines DC, Sam Fender, and Hacienda Classical (at Parklife, Sounds of the City, and Live in Wythenshawe Park) are expected during the period - while other live events, including the annual Caribbean Carnival at Alexandra Park, are also planned.
Ms Craig added: "Manchester has the biggest music economy in the UK outside of London and is known the world over for the music it makes - not just for the headliners and big acts, but for our vibrant and thriving new music scene supporting the headliners of the future.
"What's also significant about this is the impact that music and culture have on other businesses in the city.
"Last year alone, music and culture had a multiplier effect on other businesses in Manchester that generated an economic impact of more than £342m for the city and supported more than 4,800 jobs.
"With 1.3m music fans set to hit the city's streets this summer, businesses in the city look set to see a lot of added benefit from this beyond the obvious music impact."
A callout is now underway for Mancunians and others to contribute guitars to become part of the Music for the Senses art trail and auction.
All donors will be named and credited as part of the trail.
Up to 50 guitars will be painted, or otherwise embellished, by professional artists for display in shop windows and other venues in Manchester.
A further 100 guitars will be used for the interactive installation, Guitar Street, coming to a "soon-to-be-revealed" city centre street, which will see Manchester artist Liam Hopkins (aka Lazarian) repurposing the guitars.
Any donated guitars that are deemed fit for reuse will be assessed by partners Rigby Music MCR, before being donated to a music charity.
More information on how to donate guitars is available at
