An archive of more than 100 hours of Oasis recordings, featuring rare concert tapes, rehearsals, and candid band interactions, is headed to auction for up to £1.6m despite objections from the band, according to Littleton Auctions. The collection, amassed by former sound engineer Huw Richards, comprises 209 DAT tapes, 73 analogue cassettes, and three MiniDiscs.
The Contents of the £1.6m Huw Richards Oasis Archive
The comprehensive audio collection was gathered by Huw Richards while working as a sound engineer for Oasis from the release of their 1994 debut album, Definitely Maybe, until 2001. According to the auction house, the material preserves an important period in British music. Owain Richards, the sound engineer’s son who is selling the collection, noted that the audio remained in sufficiently good condition to be mastered for a live album.
The lot features what is believed to be the only recording of the band’s 1996 concert on the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland. Along with performances, the collection features numerous soundchecks and practice sessions, plus casual chats involving members of the touring crew and the Gallagher brothers. Littleton Auctions in Evesham, Worcestershire, has scheduled the sale for 3 October, assigning the archive a guide price between £1.2m and £1.6m.
Did you know?
The recordings cannot simply be released by whoever buys them. Because the band holds the copyright, the collection cannot be turned into a commercial product without their permission.
Band Objections and the Legal Sale Process
Oasis has expressed concerns regarding the upcoming auction. According to Littleton Auctions managing director Ben Homer, the Oasis camp is aware of the auction and has expressed concerns. Ben Homer noted that the auction house was managing the transaction through standard legal channels, ensuring the items being offered came with confirmed origins.
Prior to consigning the collection to the auction house, Owain Richards engaged in discussions with Oasis’s management after the band sought some of the recordings. According to Richards’ statements to the Times, those talks ultimately fizzled away and that the band wanted the tapes returned rather than sold elsewhere. In addition to the recorded audio, the sale will also include other items of band memorabilia, such as a pair of Adidas Kegler Super Ostrich trainers previously presented to Noel Gallagher.
Oasis Live Reunion and Cultural Revival
The upcoming sale coincides with a surge in popularity for the group following their reunion last year, which marked the first time Noel and Liam Gallagher performed on stage together in a decade and a half. The reunion saw Oasis play sold-out dates in Britain, North America, Australia, and Asia. The two siblings were also spotted together this weekend at the Venice film festival, the site of the premiere for Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger, a movie that chronicles their comeback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is selling the Oasis audio archive?
The collection is being sold by Richards’s son, Owain.
What is included in the auction lot?
The archive contains 209 DAT tapes, 73 analogue cassettes, and three MiniDiscs totaling more than 100 hours of recordings, including the 1996 Loch Lomond concert, rehearsals, and candid conversations.
Can the buyer legally release the recordings?
The recordings cannot simply be released by whoever buys them. Because the band holds the copyright, the collection cannot be turned into a commercial product without their permission.
When and where is the auction taking place?
The sale is due to take place on 3 October at Littleton Auctions in Evesham, Worcestershire, with a guide price of between £1.2m and £1.6m.
What are your thoughts on this multimillion-pound auction? Should private band archives be returned to the artists or sold to collectors? Let us know in the comments below, share this article with fellow fans, and subscribe to our newsletter for daily music industry updates.
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