‘They’re not political, but there’s a pop politic to that’ PLUS Manc, Irish, but not quite English
Hello,
Like some massive Mancunian cliche I headed to Oasis over the weekend and it was pretty great.
Not only was it a ‘moment in rock ‘n’ roll history’, but the atmosphere was completely brilliant.
I’ll admit that my cousin and I had been worried about a few things before heading over to Heaton Park. How to get there, how to leave and how to dodge what we apprehensively termed ‘the pissiles’. But we needn’t have worried.
This was such a brilliantly organised, vast operation – a real moment in Manchester history – that all we needed to do for our part was lift our arms in the air and shout ‘maybeeeee’.
(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of people savouring the experience a little too hard. Like the inebriated man who approached us for an unsolicited chat – his marble eyes popping out from his skull on stalks. Or the girl doing a big sick by the entrance at 7pm. Or the very drunk man not far behind her being escorted out by paramedics.
Go hard or go home, I assume they would all say.
But this atmosphere of hedonism certainly didn’t mar the experience. Sure it wasn’t a genteel garden party, but neither did it resemble the last days of Rome.
(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
To me, the lovely thing was seeing everyone in an absolutely brilliant mood. From the teenagers flogging dodgy t-shirts on Bury Old Road, to the man selling cheesy nachos on his front drive and the kids bellowing “red or blue?” over their garden fence.
Although of course nothing quite illustrates a city in celebration better than the fans on Gallagher Hill.
Their fringe event – which started small and spiralled – became so synonymous with Oasis’ Manchester gigs that Liam dedicated a song to them each night.
To quote my pal who went to the hill each night: “It was a moment of collective joy.”
I know we’ve written many, many words about Oasis this past fortnight but I do think it’s extraordinary that one band can bring so much love, attention and let’s be honest, money, to the city.
Even for those without tickets, it was an experience and a half.
(Image: Big Brother Recordings)
If you’re still buzzin’ after the Manchester shows, I’d highly recommend Jenna Campbell’s roundup of two weeks of Oasis mania.
Dianne Bourne’s interview with John Robb – the music journalist who watched the band’s first gigs – is also a fascinating read.
Among his musings on a band ‘at the peak of their game’ he makes an interesting point about how Oasis have transcended the generations.
“They’re eternal songs – they’re songs about escape from a crap life really,” he says. “About that dream.
“I know they’re not political, but there’s a pop politic to that, one of the greatest things that music does is providing an escape and making you feel bigger than you are.”
That in-between space
Without a doubt my favourite piece of writing this week is from my colleague Caitlin Griffin – who has elegantly explained the musical connections between Manchester and Ireland.
Her very funny, very personal article sheds light on a band who are Irish, Mancunian but not quite English.
Noel and Liam Gallagher spent their summers an hour down the road from where Caitlin grew up
She writes: “There’s a special relationship those who aren’t fully Irish, but not quite English, have with Oasis. Those who exist in that in-between space, where their name may have been mispronounced at school, but at home it’s said with pride.
“People who have been shaped by their immigrant parents’ generational hardships and quiet resilience. Those who have developed the notorious Irish Mancunian humour and welcoming attitude of warmth layered with toughness.
“There’s something in the bones of Oasis that hits differently when you’re Irish in Manchester. A culmination of Manchester streets and Mayo summers, Irish Mancs don’t just like Oasis. They’re proud of them. They identify with them.”
It’s a beautiful piece I’d highly recommend.
Investigation into bus crash
A bus driver has been arrested after crashing into a low bridge in Salford – causing a passenger to be ‘ejected’ from the top deck.
Police say three people were seriously injured following the collision on Barton Lane, in Eccles, yesterday (July 21) while 17 other casualties were treated at the scene.
The bus driver – a man in his 50s – was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He has since been bailed pending further investigations.
Stephen Topping has the details here.
Change is coming
(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Four and half years after Awaab Ishak died aged two due to mould at his home in Rochdale, change is finally coming. The first measures under Awaab’s Law will come into force in October.
Christian Weaver, a barrister at Garden Court North Chambers, represented the Ishak family during the inquest into Awaab’s tragic death. He continued to represent the family throughout the campaign that followed – to make Awaab’s Law a reality.
Writing exclusively for the M.E.N., he reflects on the progress made so far and how the new rules should bring about real change.
It’s finally the summer hols and…it’s raining
(Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)
You may have noticed that the glorious sunshine we were enjoying has transformed into torrential rain. But the plants needed it, so let’s be thankful.
It’s not ideal for kids beginning their first of six weeks off school. But our Parents Editor Emma Gill has the answer.
She’s compiled a list of things to do in Greater Manchester with children this summer – including a few ideas for when it’s raining.
You can read her very helpful piece here.
Headlines
SEND: Tameside council spent more than £1.5m sending children with special educational needs and disabilities to out of borough facilities, last year. More here.
High rises: People in Salford are being priced out of the city’s new high-rise tower blocks, a councillor has claimed. Bob Clarke said it was ‘not acceptable’ for new high-density developments to have no affordable homes.
Hotspots: Manchester’s fly tipping hotspots have been named by a new study that shows big increases in illegal dumps in the worst neighbourhoods. Check them out here.
Weather
Wednesday: Sunny intervals changing to overcast by late morning. 20C.
Roads: A577 Mosley Common Road, Astley, in both directions closed due to roadworks between B5232 Bridgewater Road and A572 Chaddock Lane until July 22.
A6 Chapel Street westbound, Salford, closed due to long-term roadworks from A6041 Blackfriars Road to A34 New Bailey Street. Until January 19.
A5067 Chester Road westbound, Old Trafford, closed due to roadworks between A5014 Talbot Road and A56 Bridgewater Way. Between 9.30am and 3.30pm Mondays to Sundays until October 31.
Worth a read
James Copley is the band’s ‘Noel'(Image: Noasis)
James Copley admits he was ‘too chicken’ to knock on Noel Gallagher’s front door.
The Noasis frontman says he ‘legged it’ but when other band members knocked, Noel’s wife answered and went to get him.
“He could not have been any less interested. He asked ‘what do you want?’ so we asked if he wanted to come to our show down the road. He said: ‘No. Not at all.’
“We asked for a picture with him. We were all sitting on the doorstep and he yawned in it.
“We all said ‘Thank you Mr Gallagher’ like we were Kevin and Perry.”
James has been chatting to me about Noasis’ most successful year yet and how they’ve found their youngest audience ever.