AT a time when Britpop was at its peak, Oasis were able to squeeze Southend in as the band’s popularity reached fever pitch more than 21 years ago.

Fronted by Noel Gallagher and his brother Liam, accompanied by Paul Arthurs on rhythm guitar, bassist Paul McGuigan and drummer Tony McCarroll, the Manchester band’s visit to the seaside in April 1995 served a dual purpose.

They played a gig in front of thousands of adoring fans at the Cliffs Pavilion, which was also filmed and released as a video album, entitled Live By The Sea.

The Gallagher brothers and co also recorded the promotional video for Rock ‘n’ Roll Star at Peter Pan’s Playground, taken from their chart topping debut album, Definitely Maybe, which proved a record breaker.

Emma Stewart says she and a friend followed the band around while they were filming in Peter Pan’s Playground. She said: “I was just hovering around as my mate was too embarrassed to approach and I was not at all bothered as I did not like them.

“Liam approached me and his words were ‘alright bird?’

“I muttered ‘yeah, you’ and he replied ‘do you like my music darling?’

‘I said no I don’t but she does and pointed to my friend!’

Footage from the video sees the band larking around on the seafront attractions, including the bowling alley on Southend Pier, which burnt down just two months later in a major fire.

By the time of their seaside trip, they were on the cusp of greatness. Just one week after the Cliffs show, their 1995 single “Some Might Say” went to the top of the charts.

As Britpop took off, it saw a north versus south showdown as they battled it out with Essex’s Blur for the coveted number one spot in charts, as the rival bands both released singles on the same day.

Oasis’s “Roll With It” won out, beating Blur’s “Country House.”

Despite their reputation as bad boys and troublemakers, Tony Lord, who worked as Liam and Noel Gallagher’s security when they came to Southend, said they ‘couldn’t have been nicer.’

Tony looked after them for the whole two days as they recorded the gig and filmed at Adventure Island and the pier.

Describing the atmosphere at the gig, Tony added: “I’d never really heard of Oasis until then. I never thought we would have as many people crowd surfing and coming flying over the top at an indie gig as at a metal gig.

“The atmosphere was brilliant, they had a real hardcore following.”

Chas Mumford, who was in charge of the Cliffs Pavilion, remembers the band’s visit fondly describing them as the biggest name to grace the venue’s stage.

Mr Mumford said: “We sold out within minutes on that one and I can remember the buzz they created.

“It was really great to get such a big name coming to Southend, and at the time they were on the verge of becoming the biggest.”

Just 17 months later, Oasis played to an estimated 200,000 fans at two sold-out shows at Knebworth, proving they were indeed at that time the biggest rock band on the planet.

“Supersonic”, a film chronicling the band’s rise to fame and ultimate demise will be released in cinemas on October 2.