Everyone will be aware of the recently announced Oasis concerts that are due to take place in Heaton Park next summer.
As someone who lived through the "golden age of music", and in particular, the "Madchester" music scene, I am a fan of Oasis songs.
I regard "Don't Look Back in Anger" as one of the greatest songs ever composed.
As it happens it always reminds me of the Biblical story of Lot's wife who "looked back", whether in anger or just curiosity, at the doomed Sodomite cities and was turned into a pillar of salt. If only she had taken advice from the Gallagher brothers!
There has of course been much controversy over the handling of the ticket sales.
As a member of the generation who grew up without the internet, smartphones or even, when I was in infants school pocket calculators, I am always amused by the so called "wonders of modern technology".
Part of me hankers back to the days when tickets for big events, such as gigs and the FA Cup Final, were sold from ticket offices and in order to ensure you would be able to buy a ticket, you queued all night before the appointed time of the opening of the ticket office on the first ( and usually only ) day of sale!
The camaraderie experienced in that queue, especially if it was raining or the temperature was of the order of minus 10 degrees, was something to treasure.
The same thing happened on the night before a major store held its annual sale (usually in the winter).
The only difference was that if you queued all night for a shop sale you also needed to be a fast runner and a good wrestler, and preferably a good rugby forward, as the moment the doors opened there was literally a race and a scrum to the items that had the largest reduction!
To the winner, the spoils - and you could tell who were the winners as they would emerge holding a TV set that was reduced from £400 to £100!
Please excuse the reminiscing but I am feeling nostalgic as , since my last column, five weeks ago, I have joined the ranks of "senior citizens" (nothing to do with Manchester City- despite discussing the Gallaghers!)
Anyway, my point is that what has been largely overlooked, is that these gigs are adding to an already crowded schedule of concerts at Heaton Park next year.
Although much of Heaton Park is in the borough of Bury, it is actually managed by Manchester City Council.
I read in the Bury Times that Bury Council were not consulted over the arrangements. This is not acceptable!
Many of the local residents, many in Bury South constituency, are very upset at the prospect of yet more disruption to their lives.
Sadly these gigs bring with them anti-social behaviour and even crime. This is especially worrying for elderly and vulnerable people.
People now accept the annual Parklife weekend but their patience is being sorely tested!
And no- despite being a fan I will not be attending any of the concerts! Enjoy the winter before the chaos that will come in the summer!
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