In a moment of raw emotion that silenced a packed arena, Liam Gallagher paused his electrifying performance at Manchester's new Co-op Live to deliver a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the city's darkest hour.
The iconic frontman, known for his rock-and-roll bravado, showed a profoundly different side as he dedicated Oasis's timeless anthem 'Live Forever' to those affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. The attack, which occurred following an Ariana Grande concert, claimed 22 lives and left hundreds physically and emotionally scarred.
'This one's for them,' Gallagher declared to the captivated audience, creating an immediate and palpable shift in the atmosphere. What followed was not just a musical performance, but a communal act of remembrance and resilience.
The dedication comes exactly seven years after the tragic event, adding a layer of significance to the gesture. For many Mancunians and music fans nationwide, Gallagher's choice of song carried immense symbolic weight. The lyrics of hope and defiance against mortality resonated deeply with a crowd that remembers too well how music became both the backdrop to tragedy and the vehicle for healing.
This isn't the first time Gallagher has used his platform to honour the victims. He previously dedicated the same song during his 2018 MTV Unplugged session, demonstrating a consistent commitment to acknowledging the tragedy that struck his hometown's music community.
The emotional performance at the state-of-the-art Co-op Live venue—Manchester's newest musical landmark—serves as a powerful bookend to years of recovery. It reinforces how music continues to play a vital role in the city's healing process, transforming venues from places of potential trauma into spaces of collective catharsis and celebration.
While the Gallagher brothers' famously fractured relationship continues to make headlines, moments like these remind fans that beyond the rockstar persona and sibling rivalry, Liam maintains a deep connection to his roots and a genuine sense of duty to his community.
