Big-name acts pumping ‘up to £40m’ into region’s economy.

OASIS rocked Sunderland’s Stadium of Light last night in front of a 50,000 capacity crowd.

The mercurial Mancunians received a rousing welcome on the North-East leg of what is their biggest-ever UK stadium tour, which will see them play to more than 700,000 fans.

The four-piece, made-up of Liam and Noel Gallagher, Andy Bell and Gem Archer – from Hunwick, near Bishop Auckland – are promoting their latest album, Dig Out Your Soul.

The show, which kicked off last night with Rock’n’Roll Star, a favourite from the Definitely Maybe album, comes hard on the heels of Take That’s sell-out concerts at the Stadium of Light, last Friday and Saturday.

Business and tourism chiefs believe big-name acts can pump as much as £40m into the regional economy.

Mick Thurlbeck, chairman of the Sunderland committee of the North-East Chamber of Commerce, said the Take That and Oasis shows had created a “buzz” around the city.

He said: “It has benefited all sorts of businesses – not just the promoters – such as printers and catering organisations.

“People have been involved on all levels throughout the supply chain. It is good for the culture of the area and for the profile of the city.”

“We hope Sunderland will become a major music destination and are looking to arrange more next year.

“Names are being bandied about, but we will have to see who is available, so we will be talking to promoters.”

Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said tourism chiefs estimated visitors spent an average of £30 each at the gigs, generating about £3.5m from those events alone.

The council has also organised fringe music events on the back of the two main bands.

Mr Watson said: “The concerts at the Stadium of Light are a fantastic coup for the city and present a great opportunity to raise our profile on a national basis at the same time as showcasing everything that Sunderland has to offer.”

Ailsa Anderson, culture manager at One North East, said the whole region would benefit from music industry confidence in the area and increase tourism as a result.

She said: “North-East England has created a fantastic reputation for being able to host a range of exciting concerts and festivals at a number of impressive venues across the region, with the Take That and Oasis concerts proof of this growing reputation.

“These events are important in helping to raise the profile of the region, and give us greater exposure with potential new visitors by showing them what a vibrant region North-East England is.”