Manchester experienced one of those rare nights when football and music merge into a single chorus of emotion: in a giant stadium that brought together about 80,000 spectators, the cult band Oasis staged a true celebration, and the most devoted fan in the front rows proved to be Man City head coach Pep Guardiola.
A Mancunian Derby of Music and Football
The Gallagher brothers’ return to their home stage after 15 years became a nationwide event. Liam and Noel not only performed their hits but also staged a symbolic roll call with their beloved club: sky-blue tones flashed across the huge screens, and the crowd chanted “City!” Guardiola, dressed in a 1990s retro kit, looked as though he were twenty again—grinning from ear to ear, a true “artist” in his natural habitat.
“Pep, You’re the Boss”: A Tribute From Liam
The climax came with an emotional dedication. Before launching into the signature anthem D’You Know What I Mean, Liam announced, “This song is for the greatest coach of all time.” The whistles from some spectators—clearly supporters of City’s rivals—were instantly drowned out by Noel’s booming retort: “Are you booing Pep? Are you kidding me?!” Compliments for a manager are rarely delivered so passionately outside a football stadium, and the Catalan, raising his hand, thanked the artists and the tens of thousands in attendance. The faces of Maria Guardiola and the Gallagher children glowed with genuine admiration— a moment destined for the family albums.
Grealish on His Own Wave
While Pep soaked up the music, another City hero—Jack Grealish—was lighting things up in his trademark style. The midfielder, famous not only for his dribbling but also for throwing lavish parties, cheerfully spun through the fan zone with a plastic cup, posed for photos with supporters, and handed out hugs. When he heard the cry “City, we love you!” the English star shouted back even louder: “I love City more than life, and I love City fans—they’re the best in the world!” According to The Mirror, Grealish and Guardiola never crossed paths that evening, but both undoubtedly charged themselves with energy for the upcoming Premier League season.
Live’25 Tour: Boundless Geography and Football Allusions
Oasis’s reunion tour kicked off with sell-outs in Cardiff, yet it was the series of July shows in Manchester that became the true synthesis of football carnival and musical ecstasy. Ahead lies a route across the Atlantic: São Paulo will host the final concert only in November. No English-language rock band today sparks such frenzy: tickets sell out faster than Jeremy Doku bursts down the flank. The Gallagher brothers’ love for Man City is felt even across the ocean—club insignia appears on merch, and Sky Blues fan clubs are planning joint trips to the South American dates of the tour.
Stadium Echo: When Notes Equal Goals
The evening proved that in Manchester it is impossible to separate music from football. Liam’s voice rang out like chants on the Etihad terraces, and Pep’s gestures recalled the instructions he usually gives on the touchline. The fusion of the two passions reminded everyone why sport and art alike create moments that millions are willing to chase to the ends of the earth. If the Oasis comeback can be likened to winning the Champions League, then Guardiola’s presence became a lucky talisman—for the band and for the entire city, which once again showed: here they live, breathe, and sing football.
