Thousands of enthusiastic supporters flocked to Manchester's Heaton Park on July 11 to see OASIS return to their hometown stage for the first time since 2009. The show would use the stage to launch OASIS' five-show run in the UK and throughout the world. Unfortunately, despite very focused security measures, there were ticketless attendees. Some people managed to evade security procedures and scale fences, leading to several arrests and increased police involvement. While the atmosphere was electric inside the venue, outside the venue, with frustrated fans pushing social and physical boundaries, it made for a boiling tension.
Fence-Jumpers Clash with Authorities Outside Sold-Out Venue
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, 50 people tried to force their way into one of the main entrances. Although a handful of attendees slipped in, most were stopped by security and police officers who escorted them away. One man was handcuffed and taken away by officers. Another fan's ladder, which he tried to use to climb the outer wall, was taken by officers too. While there was great excitement for the concert ahead, this behavior threatened the safety of the attendees and the event ultimately. Officers and security acted very firmly to the situation and were able to deal with it quickly.
Greater Manchester Police Confirm Multiple Arrests
Greater Manchester Police subsequently confirmed that six individuals were arrested and charged with a range of crimes, which included various types of fraud and drugs with intent, public disorder, and previous warnings. They also had several drones confiscated after establishing a no-fly zone in the 1.5 miles around the park. Most importantly, authorities reiterated that there would be zero tolerance for anyone trying to break into the concert. Local authorities, plus the event promoters and organizers, had already communicated that anyone attempting to breach a double-fenced and fully-monitored perimeter would be arrested and removed - yet various TikTok videos detailing 'how to get in' allegedly inspired some people to test their luck, unsuccessfully in many cases.
Despite the Chaos, Oasis Delivers a Night to Remember
Not behind the gates, the show continued unabated. Noel and Liam Gallagher came out arm in arm, packaging their showmanship in a sense and character. Liam declared, “Oasis vibes in the area! Manchester vibes in the area!” as the fans sang and chanted in honor of Liam and the moment with pure dedication. During the performance, Liam dedicated 'D'You Know What I Mean?' to Pep Guardiola, the once manager of Manchester City, who was present during the concert. But even fans who could not enter made the most of the moment by singing and dancing in the streets nearby. Regardless of the attempted breaches of the barricades, the Oasis spirit continued with three more potentially iconic performances to come.
