BLACKBURN band The Burn came of age last night when they opened the first of Oasis' two hometown shows.

And even the legendary Liam Gallagher applauded from the sidelines as the Blackburn boys won over the sell-out Manchester crowd with their unique blend of indie guitar music.

Standing beside Emma Cox -- Mick Spencer's girlfriend -- the frontman stayed until the final bars of their set before heading back to his dressing room.

After the show delighted Mick said: "The shows have been brilliant. Seeing people responding to the songs has been amazing."

Less than three ago the group -- who are Danny Davidson, Mick Spencer, Jay Place, Graham Rodgerson and Lee Walsh -- were playing the local clubs as a covers band.

Since they were plucked from obscurity by the man who discovered The Verve, Embrace and Gomez there's been no stopping their meteoric rise towards stardom.

But despite the amazing success story they're keeping their feet firmly on the ground.

Mick said: "We're not saying we've arrived yet or anything, we know we've still got a long way to go. There's no egos in the band we're just about making music and pulling it off."

Today the lads are relaxing at home before joining the Gallagher brothers for the final two dates of the tour in Glasgow.

REVIEW: Oasis send fans wild with hits

THE t-shirts said it all: They were like a chronicle of Oasis' last 10 years.

As thousands of fans poured into the Manchester Apollo, the names of the venues they had played and the albums they had produced flashed before your eyes.

Ten years of Noise and Confusion was celebrated last night by the people who have followed Oasis since their early days. - a band of the future if ever there was one - the audience couldn't have been more 'up for it' when the Gallagher brothers arrived on stage.

This concert wasn't about the future, it was about celebrating a band who defined a decade.

Some say Oasis are past it - a yesterday band. But last night they proved they can still entertain with the best of them. The intimate surroundings of the Apollo no doubt helped, but literally a

As the first chord was struck of each song, the crowd went wild.

And the hits came thick and fast -- too numerous to mention each -- but starting off with Morning Glory was an inspired move.

It was a sight and sound that will live long with those who attended -- those who needed no persuading that Oasis remain head and shoulders above the rest, the best guitar-band around.

DAVID HIGGERSON