Noel Gallagher Wythenshawe review: a milestone moment for the city we call home

Meg Roberts went to Wythenshawe Park to see Noel Gallagher. Here’s what she thought…

Date published: 30th Aug 2023

We had a lot to drink and be merry about this weekend just gone. After all, the city had become a kaleidoscope of colour with the Manchester Pride festivities and tonight, one of our own was playing in the park to mark the start of the bank holiday weekend and the end of the summer. 

Even with thunder, lightning and more rain than we knew what to do with, we couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces tonight. Could Manchester get any more Mancunian? 

Noel opened with Pretty Boy and Council Skies from his latest record. We would be lying if we said it didn’t feel a little bit special to hear the real weight behind the words being sung back with all our might, as we stood in the midst of the largest social housing estate in all of Europe.

More than 25,000 Mancunians gathered in the park with fewer bucket hats than you might imagine, attracting a somewhat older crowd than his brotherly counterpart, eyes alight with memories of Knebworth, Barrowlands, and of course, those unforgettable nights at Maine Road of days gone by. 

Photo: Sharon Latham

The night had a lot to live up to but Noel understood the assignment with a well-thought-out setlist made up of Oasis classics and High Flying Birds tunes in equal measure, justifying his well-deserved status as one of the city’s songwriting greats. 

Although a lot of us may well have been unashamedly here for the bangers, dancing along to his solo material in the meantime was anything but onerous. 

In quintessential Gallagher fashion, he wryly commented that at this mid-point, he usually takes some time out for a bit of regional banter, but he can’t really do that tonight because ‘we're all cool as f**k.’

Whilst there might have been no regional banter, it was impossible to ignore the football quips.

Every now and then, the iconic blue badge would flash up on the screen, proportionately matched with boos and cheers from the crowds, depending entirely on where you were standing.

Dedicating AKA… What a Life to all the Manchester City supporters and pointing to the cardboard cutout of ‘God-like’ Pep Guardiola as he went on to sing fitting lyrics like “someday you might find your hero.” 

His repartee continued as went on to also dedicate Oasis B-side Going Nowhere to Manchester United.

Photo: Sharon Latham

Next on the assault was the Mayor as he joked about The Importance of Being Idle being a song meant for Andy Burnham - the ‘lazy c*nt.’ 

But he then went on to correct himself on Masterplan saying he actually meant to pay tribute to him instead. Either way, this was a little bit of magic as we all came together for one big singsong. It was one of those film-like moments that demonstrates the power of music fans, young and old, coming together to share one common passion.

Little By Little closed the main set before returning for a three-song encore launching into a Bob Dylan cover of Quinn The Eskimo before a stripped-back and beautiful Live Forever.

His parting words? "I have every faith that you can sing every word of this - don’t let me down" as the full band launched into Don't Look Back In Anger without one note from Noel.

A truly spectacular homecoming show for Noel Gallagher playing the first ever live concert at Wythenshawe Park - just moments away from his childhood home. This was a real milestone moment for the city we all call home.

Meg Roberts

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

Header: Sharon Latham