Whilst many fans left Oasis’ comeback concerts with branded merchandise and Champagne Supernova ringing in their ears, one fan left with a newborn.
Faye Williams, 34, travelled from her home in Hull to see the band’s hotly anticipated return to Manchester at Heaton Park.
Unfortunately for the NHS worker, who was pregnant, her baby decided they wanted to see the acts too. Faye went into Labour just as Cast, the first act, took to the stage. She said of her eventful night:
“We were so excited when we managed to get tickets last year, after days of trying I managed to get enough tickets for me, my husband Steve, my sister and brother in-law and our two friends.
“Since we got the tickets, I’d become pregnant and the due date was the day before the concert was taking place. We decided to risk it, you only live once and we were never going to get the experience of seeing Oasis reform in their home city ever again.
“We’d waited a long time for Oasis to get back together. It all seemed perfect; the weather, the park, Oasis – we’ve been waiting so long and were so ready to be there. We absolutely love Oasis and this was up there with one of the best events of our lives (outside of our kids).
“We did take precautions. I have to thank Mark – a Heaton Park local who, after I sent out a post on social media for help in getting a parking space close to the park on social media, offered his driveway and even dropped me off right outside the park. He was an absolute star.
“We’d also readied all our maternity bags and provisions at my sister’s house an hour away, should the unfortunate happen and I went into labour. We were confident we would be fine, but it’s all just happened how it has happened.
“I was already sat by the first aid tent as it was in the shade, there were plenty of other pregnant women there too. I actually saw quite a lot of noticeably pregnant women, so it seems like we’d all had the same idea.
“I had absolutely no signs I was ready to give birth, I have had a child before so knew what to expect, but it all went from zero to one hundred so quickly. As Cast came on, I went off.
“The Medical Team on site at the concert were incredible, they had me on my way to North Manchester General Hospital where the maternity team were waiting for me.
“My sister got picked up by Mark (who again went so far out of his way for us), and they tried to get my mum and the bags in time for the birth but unfortunately, they didn’t get to North Manchester General Hospital in time and missed the birth.
“From start to finish the labour was two and a half hours, the whole experience was a whirlwind. My midwives were fantastic, I was a bit worried as it was a hospital I had never been to and all my antenatal support had been done in Hull, but everyone at North Manchester Hospital were diamonds. I felt so reassured to have such caring people looking after me, all of the staff were brilliant.
“So many locals came together to help us, we’re so grateful to them all.”
Emma Coulton, Head of North Manchester General Hospital’s Saint Mary’s Midwifery Service, was full of praise for how Faye handled the situation:
“Faye did extremely well considering the unexpected circumstances. We recognise attending an unfamiliar hospital when you are in advanced labour can be very stressful, our team of midwives and doctors tried their best to support Faye to remain calm and reduce her stress levels as much as possible.
“Faye remained focused, and she proceeded to have a very quick birth. We are delighted for the family and wish them all the very best, they were all lovely and it was a pleasure to provide care for them.”
Professor Matthew Makin, Medical Director at North Manchester General Hospital, who was tactical commander for the Health Response, said the hospital had been working closely with the concert’s medical teams to make sure anybody who needed care at the concert would be in good hands:
“Preparing the medical services here and at the venue has been like a military operation, there have been so many moving parts and the teamwork and preparation as well as communication on the days of the concert was meticulous.
“We’ve been planning carefully with Medical Solutions GB Ltd for weeks in the run-up to the concert to ensure we’re well prepared to look after any concert attendees or staff with a medical emergency. The medical services at Heaton Park treated hundreds of concert goers across the performance dates and only nine of those needed to come to our hospital – so they’ve done a fantastic job.
“Our staff will be on hand for the remaining dates to make sure all visitors to our locality are looked after should they find themselves in need of emergency care.”
On how she feels now her family are back home in Hull, Faye said:
“We didn’t know gender, but we are incredibly happy to welcome a beautiful baby girl into our family. I may have missed the entire Oasis concert I’d been waiting for my whole life, but I gained a daughter – which still feels like a win.
“We’ve since tried to get new tickets to go to this weekend’s performances, but unfortunately it’s been impossible to get any.
“Naturally now I have told everybody about the birth, all my friends have been asking if she will be called Sally or Lyla – but we still haven’t settled on a name. We’ll just roll with it.”