Liam Gallagher 'honoured' as he announces special new role in Manchester (original) (raw)
Oasis legend Liam has made a very special announcement today as he issued a rallying cry for the working class
Oasis icon Liam Gallagher has announced a new role in Manchester as he issues a rallying cry for the arts and the working class. The rock 'n' roll star has confirmed he is to become a new ambassador for the Manchester-based charity Brighter Sound.
The charity aims to help young people, emerging artists and future professionals find their way in the music industry, particularly those who might otherwise face barriers to get started.
Liam, who grew up with brother Noel in Burnage, says in announcing his new role he aims to support the arts and people from working class roots like himself.
Click here for the latest on Manchester's food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter
Liam said today: "I'm honoured to be an Ambassador for Brighter Sound and support the new generation of creatives launch their music projects."
He added: "We need more help for the arts, especially for the working class."
A statement issued today from the Brighter Sound charity said: "Oasis icon, acclaimed solo artist, and the frontman of his generation: Liam Gallagher has done it all.
"But between the cost of living crisis, limited opportunities for free music education, the decline of grassroots music venues and growing mental health problems, it has become harder than ever for an artist from a similar working class background to make that kind of impact.
"But today Liam Gallagher helps take a first step in changing that as he is confirmed as the new ambassador for the charity Brighter Sound.
"For 25 years Brighter Sound has championed new talent: helping young people, emerging artists and future music professionals find their way in music. Based in Manchester and working with more than 1,000 creatives every year, the charity delivers workshops, mentoring, live events and creative projects that give people the skills, confidence and connections to grow creatively and take the next step in their careers - especially those who might otherwise face barriers to getting started."
The announcement is being celebarted with a special start - a prize draw to win pairs of Liam's Adidas collab Achille SPZL trainers - quite literally a money-can’t-buy prize after the entire run instantly sold-out after being launched during last summer’s gargantuan Oasis Live ‘25 tour.
The prize draw offers 40 pairs of the Japanese exclusive design of the trainers (darker brown) and 95 pairs of the regular design (light brown) - both in very limited quantities of each UK size ranging from 3.5 to 12.
Fans can enter via the Brighter Sound website, with 100% of all funds raised donated to the charity. Fans can buy as many tickets as they like before the draw closes at 11pm on Monday 13 July.
The prize draw marks the first stage of a wider collaboration between Brighter Sound and Liam to establish a new direct-to-artists fund for rising musicians in Greater Manchester, with proceeds from the campaign helping support the initiative.
The fund will offer financial support to early-career artists to develop new work and take the next steps in their careers. Further details will be announced later this year.
Kate Lowes, Director at Brighter Sound, said: "It's a real honour to be working with Liam and his team on this special prize draw, and to welcome him as an ambassador for Brighter Sound.
"Manchester is an incredible place for music - and Liam and Oasis are a huge part of that story. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to making sure that more amazing talent continues to grow from the city and find its place on the world stage.”
This partnership follows another major milestone for Brighter Sound in 2026. Earlier this year, the charity led the first-ever BRITs Fringe alongside the BRIT Awards’ move to Manchester.
Bringing together artists, industry and audiences under the banner ‘Manchester Seen and Heard’, the programme showcased Greater Manchester’s grassroots music scene and created new opportunities for emerging talent.