IN THE BEGINNING WAS MADCHESTER...

CITY'S MUSIC SCENE INSPIRED OASIS

- 

'AND on the sixth day God created Manchester!'

The phrase has become synonymous with the city, its culture, attitude and outlook.

Attributed to Leo B Stanley, the owner of Afflecks clothing store, it was first coined in 1988, but has been adopted and cherished by the city's music scene: the Madchester era especially.

Stanley admitted: "One night after the Hacienda I couldn't sleep, so I picked up the Bible and read 'On the sixth day, God created Man...' and wrote down in my Filofax 'On the sixth day, God created Manchester'. That T-shirt went mental. We couldn't print them fast enough."

And so, from the sixth day onwards, Oasis (and more) were spawned from the sprawling metropolis.

Would Oasis have arrived if Madchester hadn't become the centre of the indie movement in the 1980s?

There's a strong feeling that the Gallagher's love for the city's music scene came from the Stone Roses.

Liam Gallagher claims that seeing them live at the age of 16, on May 30, 1988 at International 2, a venue owned by the Roses manager Gareth Evans, was a life-changer, and that was the moment from which he wanted to be in a band.

It was just £5 on the door for that gig, the Stone Roses were supporting James. Noel was supporting brother Liam in the crowd.