Key Takeaways
- Archive of more than 100 hours of Oasis recordings to be auctioned for up to £1.6m.
- Collection includes concerts, rehearsals, and candid conversations between Noel and Liam Gallagher.
- Band’s sound engineer Huw Richards amassed the archive, which will be sold by his son Owain.
An archive of over 100 hours of Oasis recordings, including concert footage, rehearsals, and candid conversations between band members Noel and Liam Gallagher, is set to be auctioned for up to £1.6m. Despite objections from the band, the collection is being sold by Huw Richards, the band’s former sound engineer, who worked with Oasis from the release of their 1994 debut album, Definitely Maybe, until 2001.
The archive, which consists of 209 DAT tapes, 73 analogue cassettes, and three MiniDiscs, was compiled by Richards over a period of nearly a decade. It provides an intimate look into the band’s creative process and live performances, capturing moments that have not been publicly available until now.
The collection includes a wide range of material, from studio sessions and soundchecks to live performances and behind-the-scenes conversations. These recordings offer a unique insight into the band’s history and the dynamics between its members.
The auction, which is being handled by Richards’s son Owain, is expected to generate significant interest from music collectors and enthusiasts. The proceeds from the sale will likely go towards personal or family matters, as Richards has not disclosed the exact use of the funds.
Oasis, known for their influential role in the Britpop movement, have expressed their concerns over the auction. The band’s representatives have stated that they believe the sale of such a personal and significant collection could be detrimental to the band’s legacy.
The auction is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, with details of the sale and the exact date to be announced soon. Music fans and collectors are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to bid on this rare and valuable collection.
The sale of the Oasis archive highlights the ongoing debate around the commercialization of music and the rights of artists to control their intellectual property. While the band’s objections are understandable, the auction represents a significant moment in the band’s history and the broader music industry.
For those interested in the band’s history and the behind-the-scenes look at their creative process, this auction offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of musical history.
