Noel Gallagher‘s High Flying Birds performed the headline slot at the Manchester Arena reopening concert on Saturday night and played a moving rendition of ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger‘.
The We Are Manchester benefit show was organised to raise money for the Manchester Memorial Fund, which is currently planning to build a new permanent memorial to the 22 victims of the terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert earlier this year. The concert included performances from Blossoms, The Courteeners, Pixie Lott and more.
During Noel Gallagher and High Flying Bird’s set he addressed the crowd saying: “If anyone here ever doubted that Manchester is the greatest city in England… there was a minute’s silence and one girl broke the silence and started to sing, and it’s amazing how everyone rallied around that song that I’m about to sing. It’s become some kind of anthem of defiance. And every time you sing, we win, so keep on singing.” He then continued on to play the Oasis anthem, ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’.
Towards the end of the song, the former Oasis artist stopped playing his guitar to wipe tears from his eyes. Watch footage of the moving moment below.
Although a touching moment for all involved, brother Liam Gallagher has criticised the performance calling it a “PR stunt“. Liam’s comments have since received mixed reactions from fans with some accusing the singer of attempting to “claim bragging rights” after playing the One Love Manchester concert back in June.
