A Brief Gander at Oasis: Chasing The Sun - Manchester Exhibition

After being hosted in a peculiar location in the nation's capital, this unique insight into the glory days of one of Britain's biggest bands came home to the Old Granada Studios in the centre of Manchester, in a much more fitting venue. In the midst of constant reunion rumours, the exhibition was a welcomed change among the array of tabloid speculation and die-hard fans ranting about what once was.

I'll have to admit now, I had no idea what to expect, aside from the odd guitar from the older Gallagher's collection. Aside from the fabled life-sized recreation of Bonehead's living room, which was the setting for the artwork of their debut album, Definitely Maybe. I was somewhat in the dark. If only I would've looked at the cover of the programme, which stated in a fittingly direct manner that the exhibition featured 'Rare and iconic photographs, artefacts and memorabilia from the early years of Oasis'. And in that regard, it didn't disappoint. 

There was something to please every level of Oasis fan: If you wanted, you could go in, take a few pictures of the memorable features, have a snap in the replica front room of the rhythm guitarist, then buy a programme and be on your merry way. You know, like this:

But if you knew what to look for, you could very easily revel in the little bits and bobs which were on offer. For the attentive, there was everything from old set-lists and triple-A passes, to old tickets from their November 1995 gig at Earls Court, which cost a whopping £14! Seriously though, they're some decent seats too.

Even that iconic (albeit poorly photographed) Epiphone Sheraton emblazoned with the Union Jack, making its' debut at the Maine Road shows, was on display, soaking up most of the glory and attention from the other three Epiphones and a lonely Rickenbacker. 

The highlight for me was the dual Epiphone Rivieras, used on the cover of Definitely Maybe and on the accompanying tour. 

If you're a fan of early Oasis, specifically from 1993-1997, then I'm afraid to say that you missed a cracking opportunity to gain a surprisingly personal insight into one of your favourite bands. This and the recent documentary, Supersonic, has provided a new series of delights for avid fans, although it might prove why we might not need an Oasis reunion anytime soon, if at all. Hell, if you were a particularly loaded visitor to the exhibition, you could even have bought a lovely piece of Oasis art, or even an original poster or two.

Unfortunately though, you couldn't buy some of the original artefacts. You could watch a few videos of some proper tunes, like their cover of 'I Am The Walrus' with the Bootleg Beatles, or even some interviews from when the Gallagher brothers were just first getting started, firing off proclamations of being the best band in the world. 

There were some absolute treats housed in the Old Granada Studios, whether it be drum kit from the cover of the 'Don't Look Back In Anger' single, Liam's parka from one of their Glastonbury gigs, or even their platinum discs from their second album. For me, the favourites were some of Noel's original scribbling from the aforementioned single, or if that wasn't enough, what about one of their early set-lists, consisting of some proper belting tunes from the first two albums. The encore alone is worthy of some praise - 'Don't Look Back In Anger', 'Live Forever' and ending with 'Rock N Roll Star'.

You never know, keep your fingers crossed and the exhibition might just go on tour again sometime, and for your sake, I certainly hope it does. No matter what you think or feel towards Oasis, the exhibit served solely to remind you of the music of the band. Of course, big fans of the group are going to revel in the glory-filled nostalgia which is the bands' peak between '93 and '97, but the intent and result of the endeavour is best put in the introduction of the accompanying programme, with an old quote from the chief himself, who is humbly grounded in this section as someone who was just "drifting along" as a "former fish-tank maker, signwriter, baker's assistant and labourer":

"In 20 years' time, people will buy Definitely Maybe and listen to it for what it was. That's what is important"

With that being said, I went home and listened to their debut album all the way through. And I thought it was a pretty top record, with the angst of young, listless northern men wanting to escape from uncertainty. As predicted, 20 years later, people are still inspired the themes and messages the album has to offer. It just helps that these ideas are housed in some impeccable songs.