  Oasis singer Liam Gallagher is seen on the main stage at the Virgin Music Festival shortly before his brother, Noel Gallagher, was attacked. (PHOTO: John Williams, Canoe.ca)
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A shocking attack on Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher during a concert on the Toronto Islands Sunday left the Brit-pop icon recovering from a bruised hip and ribs.
His accused attacker -- a 47-year-old Pickering man -- was yesterday charged and released.
Gallagher, 41, fell hard onto a monitor speaker after a man rushed the stage and pushed him from behind during the band's performance at the Virgin Festival.
Within seconds, security personnel jumped to restrain the attacker before leading him offstage and away from the victim's enraged brother, Liam.
The assault stunned the thousands of fans taking in the Manchester band's performance of (What's The Story) Morning Glory? during their headliner set at the third annual concert at Toronto Islands Park.
HID UNDER STAGE
Virgin Canada spokesman Nathan Rosenberg said yesterday the attacker apparently hid out underneath the stage and emerged from the back before running toward Noel. After the musician hit the speaker, the man ran toward Liam but security tackled him and dropped him to the floor before ushering him away from the band.
Disbelief and confusion seemed to reign as the multitude of amateur videos posted to YouTube showed fans gasping and shouting.
Moments later, the band returned to the stage for a noticeably subdued close-out before Noel paid a visit to an undisclosed local hospital.
"Despite his injuries, Noel returned to the stage a few minutes later to complete the band's set but was taken to hospital after the show to be examined for a suspected fractured rib and ligament damage," according to a statement posted on the band's official website, oasisinet.com.
Rosenberg couldn't confirm if an official statement about the evident security breach will be released by concert organizers.
SECURITY 'GAP'
"These kinds of things require us to make sure that we understand it and then (decide) whether or not we want to disclose that," Rosenberg said. "Because the last thing we need to do is flag those kinds of things to people who might do those kinds of things.
"So we're very conscious about not giving out information that may give people an idea about what they can do in the future."
Rosenberg said organizers will be committed to closing every security "gap" in future festivals.
"That's what we really want to focus on," Rosenberg said.
The incident has forced the band to postpone their gig at the John Labatt Centre in London tonight -- it's been rescheduled for December 15. Ticket holders are asked to retain their tickets, which will be valid for the new date. Refunds for those unable to attend can be made at point of ticket purchase until October 10.
Their next booked concert is at New York's Terminal 5 on Sept. 12.
Yesterday at the downtown hotel where Oasis was said to be staying, there was no sign of the Gallagher brothers.
Daniel Sullivan is charged with assault. He will next appear in court on Oct. 24 at Old City Hall.
Attempts to contact Sullivan at his Pickering home were unsuccessful. A woman who answered a call to the home said he had left town for a few days.
