Oasis wants rare recordings back
The Price of Echoes: Oasis’s Archive Faces Auction Scrutiny
For rock legends, history often comes packaged in priceless artifacts. Recently, the legendary band Oasis found themselves at the center of a high-stakes dispute concerning their own recorded history. A collection of rare and intimate recordings, reportedly containing the unfiltered dialogue between Noel and Liam Gallagher, is slated for auction, sparking tension among the brothers who wish to keep their treasures private.
The trove includes 63 concert recordings, over 100 hours of rehearsals and soundchecks, and much more, all gathered by former sound engineer Huw Richards. Among these historical gems is a recording believed to be the sole capture of the band’s iconic 1996 performance on the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland.
The auction is scheduled for October 3, with a guide price set between £1.2 million and £1.6 million. The archive, dubbed The Desk Tapes, is listed by auction houses, representing a fascinating intersection of musical legacy and commercial value.
Despite the financial appeal, the auction has quickly become a point of contention. Sources close to the Gallagher brothers have indicated they are reportedly unhappy with the prospect of selling these recordings, with a clear desire to have the trove “back in their possession.”
This dispute highlights the complex ownership of creative history. While auction houses and collectors aim to engage with British music history, the band retains the intellectual property rights, meaning any commercialization would require their explicit consent.
Auction facilitators have acknowledged the band’s concerns, emphasizing that they are handling the process with transparency and due legal procedure. Their focus is on presenting the items responsibly, ensuring verified provenance for interested parties.
Beyond the tapes, the auction also features tangible memorabilia, including internal tour itineraries, original setlists, a band-played Epiphone guitar, a rare Kangol Oasis Tour parka, and a pair of Adidas Kegler Super Ostrich trainers gifted to Noel.
Meanwhile, the band continues to pursue their musical narrative through other means. A new documentary about their reunion, Don’t Look Back In Anger, recently debuted at the Venice Film Festival. The film, directed by Steven Knight, explores their 2024 reunion and the scale of their huge ‘Live ‘25’ tour dates.
The ongoing saga of Oasis—from the coveted recordings to the planned massive tours—demonstrates that even iconic musical legacies continue to be a dynamic mix of artistic triumph and personal negotiation.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
