It was a night to remember at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City paid tribute to two of its most iconic sons — Liam and Noel Gallagher, the legendary brothers behind Oasis. In a ceremony filled with emotion, symbolism, and the unmistakable sound of the 1990s, the club honored the pair for their profound cultural impact and lifelong loyalty to the Blue side of Manchester.
Born and raised in Burnage, just a few miles from the stadium, Liam and Noel have long been synonymous with both Oasis and Manchester City. From singing City chants during global tours to being spotted pitchside at title-deciding matches, their bond with the club has been as strong as their bond with the city itself — turbulent at times, but unbreakable.
The tribute came before City’s final home match of the season, with over 50,000 fans packed into the Etihad. As the stadium lights dimmed, giant screens flashed with rare footage: Noel strumming “Wonderwall” at Maine Road, Liam singing “Live Forever” on stage in a City shirt, and images of their working-class upbringing in 90s Manchester. It wasn’t just a football moment — it was a cultural celebration.
The soundtrack to the evening was, naturally, Oasis. Tracks like “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” “Morning Glory,” and “Supersonic” blasted through the stadium speakers, turning the Etihad into a communal time capsule. Fans — young and old — sang along, many holding scarves aloft as if it were a gig more than a football match. It was pure Manchester: loud, proud, and unapologetically emotional.
Then came the official recognition. Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak stepped onto the pitch to announce that Manchester City would be awarding Liam and Noel Gallagher with a commemorative plaque and honorary lifetime season tickets. The gesture was more than symbolic — it was a thank you from a club to two men who helped shape its cultural identity beyond football.
The plaque, which will be installed in the “City Square” fan zone outside the stadium, reads: “For the soundtrack of a generation, and the heartbeat of a city. Manchester’s own — Liam & Noel Gallagher.” The wording captures exactly what Oasis meant to Manchester in the ’90s — hope, grit, swagger, and pride in the face of struggle.
Though the brothers didn’t appear together — their public fallout remains unresolved — both were involved in the tribute. Liam, ever the showman, arrived at the stadium wearing his trademark parka and gave a casual salute to the crowd from the director’s box. His presence was met with a standing ovation from fans, many of whom grew up with Oasis as their life’s soundtrack.
Noel, who is currently on tour in Europe with his band High Flying Birds, sent a pre-recorded message that played on the stadium screens. “To be recognized by the club I’ve supported my whole life — that’s proper,” he said. “From Maine Road to the Etihad, it’s always been City for us. Cheers to all the Blues who’ve been with us from the start.”
What made the evening even more poignant was the way it brought the entire stadium together. For all the rivalry between Liam and Noel, their music has never failed to unite. And in that moment, when the entire Etihad sang the chorus of “Live Forever” in unison, it felt like Manchester was singing not just to the Gallaghers — but to itself.
For Manchester City, the event also highlighted how deeply the club is rooted in the identity of the city. It wasn’t about trophies or tactics — it was about people, place, and pride. And in Liam and Noel Gallagher, City found two figures who embody that spirit with raw, unapologetic authenticity.
On social media, reactions poured in from fans and musicians alike. “What a moment. You can’t write Manchester’s story without Oasis,” tweeted one fan. Even rival clubs’ supporters acknowledged the cultural weight of the tribute. “Hate to say it, but this was class,” a Liverpool fan wrote. “The Gallaghers are Manchester.”
As the final whistle blew later that evening, and City celebrated another successful campaign, it was clear that this night would be remembered for more than football. It was a tribute to an era, to a sound, to a city — and to the two brothers who gave it a voice that still echoes around the world.
Leave a Reply