‘Minimum dress standards’ should be implemented for Oasis gigs, ‘concerned resident’ claims

Thursday, 3 July 2025 15:03

By Ethan Davies

‘Minimum dress standards’ and ‘buffer zones’ should be introduced for Oasis’ Heaton Park reunion gigs to prevent incidents of ‘indecent exposure’, a ‘concerned resident’ has said.

Excitement is building in the city as Oasis’ long-awaited reunion tour comes to Manchester in less than a fortnight. Their first show in 16 years takes place in Cardiff on Friday (July 4) night.

But the concerts have also been divisive in Prestwich and Blackley, Heaton Park’s suburban neighbours.

Mum-of-three Rachel Varley said she was ‘really cross’, adding: “I don’t think it’s fair on residents. I just think it’s really poor to put such a big event on in such a family residential area. Why is it not in an arena?”

Others say they can handle the disruption of hundreds of thousands of music fans, which happens annually with Parklife festival in June. Zainab Nawaz, 19, said: “It happens every year, you get used to it. It’s always packed. It’s a bit of an inconvenience [on the road] but other than that, we live in front of a big park, what do you expect?”

Parklife draws in thousands of young people, some of whom embrace ‘rave fashion’ which is characterised by bright colours and tight-fitting clothing.

The anonymous resident — who claims to live near the park — has called on Manchester council and the gig promoters, SJM, to implement stringent measures to address what they call ‘inappropriate dress and indecent exposure’ seen at Parklife.

In an email seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service sent to Manchester council, Greater Manchester Police, and councillors nearby, the resident said: “As a parent/resident, I find it deeply offensive, inappropriate, and harmful for impressionable young minds to be exposed to this without choice.

“This is not a matter of taste or fashion — it is a matter of basic public standards, community respect, and moral decency in shared spaces. I am therefore asking the Council and event organizers to: Enforce a minimum dress code standard within the surrounding public areas of Heaton Park (especially outside festival gates); Consider buffer zones or event fencing that reduces direct visibility of attendees from public walkways and streets; Engage in public consultation with local families and schools who are impacted by the exposure of this content; Consider the long-term damage to Heaton Park’s reputation as a safe, family-friendly environment.

“It should not be acceptable for children walking near their homes, schools, or parks to witness what would be considered indecent exposure in any other situation — all under the umbrella of ‘festival culture’.”

The LDRS understands Manchester council does not have the power to enforce a dress code at the much-hyped up shows, even as the organisation which owns Heaton Park.

It is also expected the get-up of the Oasis crowds will be very different, with parka coats, bucket hats, and Adidas Gazelle trainers expected to be the order of the day, rather than skin-tight fluorescent leotards.