Oasis star Liam Gallagher and Take That’s Mark Owen are leading a mass doorstep singalong to unite people in their home city of Manchester.

Together In One Voice will also see Tim Booth from James, Emeli Sande, Tom Walker and The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray introduce live renditions of their songs, with the public providing a chorus from their homes.

The aim of the one-off event is to celebrate the importance of community during the coronavirus lockdown, which has just entered its 10th week in the UK, and “help combat feelings of isolation, depression, and other mental health challenges”.

Take That and Oasis were the two biggest acts to come out of Manchester in the 1990s, and fans can join in with opener Shine, introduced by Owen, while Gallagher – who has been keeping his followers amused with regular Twitter updates while he is stuck indoors – will introduce Wonderwall to close the show.

Featuring about 20 different community choirs and 30 musicians from across the city area, all those taking part have spent the last few weeks recording themselves playing their instruments for the soundtrack.

And the residents of Greater Manchester are being encouraged to join in and sing loudly from their doorsteps, windows, balconies and streets, with the artists introducing the setlist of songs via a live stream alongside other well-known showbiz faces.

Dan McDwyer, the event’s musical director, said: “It’s been a huge task recording the choirs and 30 musicians including rhythm, horns and strings, plus coordinating sound engineers and mixing vocals from around 20 different choirs – all recording from their own homes safely within social distancing.

“But what a moment it’s going to be when those choirs, all singing in their bedrooms, are amplified by thousands of voices across Greater Manchester.”

The songs will be streamed for people to join in via MIF Live – Manchester International Festival’s online channel – and broadcast on BBC Radio Manchester, alongside introductions and contributions from the stars behind the songs.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “It’s a moment to celebrate the strength of our communities and what people have done to help each in these difficult times.

“Together In One Voice will help us all feel connected, despite the need to keep a distance, and will be one of those incredible occasions which make Greater Manchester so special.”

:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

The singalong is being captured on the night with drones, street cameras and residents’ own film clips, which will be edited together and shown online on Sunday.

You can join in at 7.30pm on Thursday, just before what could be the last mass Clap for our Carers.