Published Wednesday 1 June 2022 at 17:12
Blackburn is now home to an iconic new mural of Liam Gallagher.
The giant image of the singing superstar is based on a photograph taken back stage at his recent intimate gig here.
It shows the former Oasis frontman holding a pair of the much-anticipated adidas LG2SPZL trainers – his second collaboration with adidas Spezial curator and friend, Gary Aspden.
The 40ft mural adorns the side of a Nightsafe office building in Railway Road – fitting as the concert raised vital funds for the homeless charity which supports young people.
It’s the work of renowned artist Pete Barber of Global Street Art who also created the Luke Shaw mural in Gary’s hometown of Darwen as part of a star-studded C.P. Company exhibition there.
Speaking in front of the mural, Gary said:
adidas Spezial announced the forthcoming trainer collaboration with Liam Gallagher by asking him to perform in Blackburn for the first time in his career whilst supporting Nightsafe.
This was a massive moment for the charity and for the town.
We wanted to find a way to create something that had more permanence to commemorate the occasion and further raise the profile of the charity.
Having Pete Barber from Global Street Art create this incredible mural of Liam on the side of the Nightsafe office seemed a really good way to do this.
Hopefully the people that come to see it will continue to donate and support the great work that Nightsafe are doing for young people in this area.
Liam sent a ‘Shockwave’ through King George’s Hall when he performed there in May – during the venue’s centenary year.
Super fans applied in their tens of thousands and queued for hours to attend the surprise, intimate gig with little over 2,000 tickets available.
It announced the new LG2SPZL shoe – inspired by the iconic Barrington Smash – and Liam debuted it on stage.
Tweeting afterwards, the showman said:
Blackburn, Lancashire, top night!
You smashed it. Thanks for having us. Until next time.
The unveiling of the mural came as Liam was set to perform at the home of his beloved Manchester City FC on Wednesday evening and ahead of his sell-out Knebworth gigs.
Jan Larkin, Chief Executive of Nightsafe, said:
The Liam Gallagher mural is absolutely amazing – a gift to us and we’re so proud to have it on the side of our building.
The gig was just incredible and it really helped us not only raise vital funds but awareness too about the important work we do to support young, homeless people.
Once again Gary has worked wonders in doing something to bring the community together, get people talking and shine a positive spotlight on Nightsafe and Blackburn with Darwen.
We are incredibly blessed to have his support.
Speaking of the mural, Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, added:
The Liam Gallagher concert will go down in history.
Blackburn became a really talking point thanks to Liam and Gary and this is a great way to mark the impact it had and their support for Nightsafe.
It’s also a brilliant addition to the other high quality murals we already have in the borough and it’s sure to attract a lot of attention.
I’m all for us embracing all creative arts as it really brings the place to life.