Oasis fans making their way to the band’s huge comeback gigs at Heaton Park are in for a surprise on the tram network as a very familiar Rock ‘N’ Roll star is set to take over some Manchester tram stop announcements. The dulcet tones of Liam Gallagher will once again grace the Bee Network to help passengers stay on track with their journeys when Oasis play at Heaton Park later this week.
Four tram stop announcements voiced by Liam will be played at the Heaton Park stop on all concert dates, with fans encouraged to listen out for each of the lead singer’s different messages, as well as some supersonic signage on the tram network.
In the run up to their Manchester reunion, Oasis have been encouraging people to ‘go electric’ and use public transport where possible to get to and from the concerts. It comes as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and partners are busy behind the scenes preparing travel arrangements for the five concert dates, with fans encouraged to make the most of public transport options for their journeys to and from the gigs.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “We’ve not got long to wait now until our city-region hosts the most eagerly awaited homecoming of all time and the excitement is already building here in Greater Manchester.
“It’s brilliant that Liam is lending his legendary vocals to the Bee Network once again and I’d urge everyone to listen out for them when getting off the tram at Heaton Park for the gigs.
“We want everyone who’s going to have the time of their lives and I’d just like to remind everyone that the best way to get to Heaton Park and back is to take advantage of the public transport options available, as backed by the band themselves.”
It’s not the first time Liam has lent his vocals to the Bee Network in bid to get more people on board with public transport. In 2023, the Manc legend took over ‘next stop’ announcements on the Ashton line in support of Beyond the Music – a festival and change-making conference that put the spotlight on new music, grass roots venues and developing talent and infrastructure support in Greater Manchester and beyond.
In June this year, the Bee Network unveiled three special Oasis-branded vehicles to celebrate the band’s upcoming gigs in Greater Manchester, with a bus, a tram and an electric bike wrapped with the band’s famous ‘She’s Electric’ song title. Eagle-eyed fans may have also spotted the huge murals of both Liam and Noel Gallagher on the bus and tram too.
Transport provision on concert days will see additional staff on the network, extra and more frequent trams running to Heaton Park from Victoria station, and a shuttle bus service running from the city centre. TfGM’s control room will also be operating 24/7 to monitor and coordinate the public transport system.
Oasis fans are also advised to prepare for travelling in hot weather, with temperatures likely to reach 30 degrees on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy that sunshiiiiine, and stay safe!