It had pretty much every weather element you could possibly throw at it, but thunder and lightning couldn't dampen a spectacular homecoming for Noel Gallagher playing the first ever live gig at Wythenshawe Park.
At times it may have felt like an endurance test for fans thanks to that unpredictable weather, but a full day of music entertainment on the Wythenshawe stage ahead of Noel's High Flying Birds made for a mini festival vibe to proceedings at the sprawling historic parkland.
The worst slew of weather, at around 6.30pm, drew a temporary halt to the live performances on stage. But it did little to dampen the spirits of a crowd in the mood to party, and cheering on Noel's specially selected guests at the event - Picture Parlour, Billy Nomates, Future Islands and Primal Scream.
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But when Noel made his much-heralded arrival on stage just after 9pm, it was under clear skies with an absolutely giant moon next to the fairground big wheel. How fitting then the first words he would sing then was "Beneath the starry sky of a distant moon" on new belter Pretty Boy.
It would set the tone for an evening of magical moments, as well as classic Noel banter from the Oasis legend. He was in fine voice for a night celebrating his newest album, Council Skies, as well as dipping back in to his extensive back catalogue.
Naturally, given his footballing persuasion, Manchester City loomed large on the stage - with his beloved Blues badge prominent on display. Lurking behind was a cardboard cutout of Pep Guardiola who would flash up on screen every now and again to intermittent boos and cheers from the crowds.
Noel can't resist a bit of crowd interplay either - admonishing one fan for asking if he could sign some memorabilia mid concert, and remembering a young fan from Stoke on Trent who cheekily held aloft a banner asked for a new selfie.
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In a uniquely Noel nod to his hometown, at one point he drawled: "Now usually at this point of the show I do some regional banter. But I can’t do that tonight can I 'cause we're all f***ing cool as f**k." I mean, he's got a point hasn't he?
Launching into AKA… What a Life, Noel said: "I dedicate this next song to all the Man City supporters" before pointing to the Pep cutout and saying: "that man is f***ing God".
Hilariously he then dedicates Oasis B side Going Nowhere to "Manchester United f***ing football club". Ouch.
Continuing with the burns, he dedicated The Importance of Being Idle to Andy Burnham. But he then corrects himself on the following song saying he'd actually meant to dedicate this one to Andy instead. Lucky for Burnham, it was the epic, epic strains of The Masterplan to make it up to him.
Naturally it’s the Oasis classics that sends the bucket hat brigade into the wildest frenzy on the night. They jumped with arms draped around shoulders, lustily singing back every word as soon as the "Oasis bit" of the setlist kicked in on the night.
The Masterplan and Half the World Away could probably be heard as far as Burnage, such was the vocal gymnastics of the crowd. Returning to the stage for the encore of Live Forever, the crowd were a sea of mobile phones capturing the moment.
But there were real highlights in the newer Noel anthems brought to life on stage too. Dead in the Water never fails to tingle the spine, while Easy Now is already a firm fan favourite.
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As the show came to its natural end, Noel looked out across the 25,000 devoted fans and probably knew he wouldn't have to do much in the way of singing on the final song. "I’ve got faith in you Wythenshawe… you’ve got to sing it all the way through,” he said as he launched into Don't Look Back In Anger.
It was never in doubt that the whole of Wythenshawe Park was going to sing every last word of this song all the way through. Even Noel looked impressed by the gusto though.
"You’ve been amazing Wythenshawe," he says as his parting shot. Well, that and a mandatory cry of "up the Blues".
Noel and his High Flying Birds can now claim the honour of first ever act to play this historic parkland. Organisers have outlined their hopes it could be the first of many live gigs at Wythenshawe Park in the future.
If it is, then it would be hoped they sort out the car parking situation for next time. As one of hundreds of motorists stuck in the official car park for two hours after the show, I’m afraid I couldn’t help looking back in anger a tiny wee bit myself.
Were you at the big gig? Click below for our fan gallery from the event
Setlist
Pretty Boy
Council Skies
Open the Door, See What You Find
We're Gonna Get There in the End
Easy Now
You Know We Can't Go Back
We're On Our Way Now
In the Heat of the Moment
If I Had a Gun...
AKA... What a Life!
Dead in the Water
Going Nowhere
The Importance of Being Idle
The Masterplan
Half the World Away
Little By Little
ENCORE
Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)
Live Forever
Don't Look Back in Anger
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