An extremely rare Oasis gig contract that requests “sober-speaking” staff members is to be auctioned off this month.
The Primary Talent International contract was drawn up on 18th April 1994.
This was just a few weeks ahead the iconic Manchester band’s show at The Old Trout in Berkshire on 7th May, and three months before they released their debut album Definitely Maybe.
The venue had played host to other Britpop names of the era including Oasis’ chart-rivals Blur, as well as performances from groups such as Everything But The Girl, fellow Manchester band Inspiral Carpets, Spiritualized and Pop Will Eat Itself.
If “sober-speaking” staff wasn’t a bizarre enough request for a contract as it is though, that’s not all it specifies either, as a two-course meal that’s “not fast food”, water, fruit juice and soft drinks are also among the catering requests that feature, as well as a comprehensive snack list of “crisps, nuts, biscuits, fresh fruit (minimum of eight pieces)”, which is seen scribbled out.
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And of course, as most Oasis fans would expect, “24 large cans of quality lager” was the main request.
If you’re wondering what the “sober-speaking” staff are for, it was requested that the venue management should provide them to “assist the band’s road crew” in moving equipment and setting up the stage.
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Hansons AuctioneersHansons Auctioneers
The paperwork is expected to sell for up to £1,500 at Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire later this month.
Hansons said the seller is a woman who worked in the music industry and bought it directly from a man who organised gigs at The Old Trout at the time, and she is looking to sell the contract, along with a flyer advertising the gig, ahead of her retirement.
A music memorabilia specialist at Hansons said items like this were “extremely rare”.
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Claire Howell – Music Memorabilia Specialist at Hansons – said: “Items like this are extremely rare and this lot comes with great provenance. It also includes a flyer advertising the gig.
“It’s valued at £1,000-£1,500 but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it sell for more.
“It could easily whip up a bidding frenzy among fans at auction, such is the enduring popularity and nostalgia for Oasis. The seller is a lady who worked in the music industry and amassed an interesting collection over the years [and] she is now looking to sell some specialist pieces ahead of retirement”.
Hansons Auctioneers
Claire continued: “The contract was purchased directly from a man who organised gigs at the time.
“Memorabilia linked to Britpop bands from the 1990s is gaining in value and UK groups don’t come much bigger than Oasis.
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“This 27-year-old find has certainly brought memories of the band’s early days flooding back.”
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The paperwork is set to go for auction at Hansons Auctioneers’ music memorabilia sale on 23rd March, and you can find more information ahead of the sale here.
Music
The K’s kick off Manchester’s BRITs Week celebrations early with jam-packed intimate gig
The Manc
If you were ‘Hoping Maybe’ to see The K’s at some point this year, this is your sign do it, as the rising indie band did not let the occasion of playing an intimate BRITs-backed gig get to them – they were buoyed by it.
Beloved city centre venue Gorilla was overflowing for The K’s last night, hosting an unreal small-cap set as part of Brits Week ‘26 for a very important cause: War Child.
Perfectly teed up by fellow nearby band, Florentenes from Bolton, The K’s took to a familiar stage many years on from their debut, and instantly had the crowd ready and raring for an hour of pure tunes and some very, very sweaty brows.
Earlestown’s finest certainly carried that Northern charm and energy throughout the whole night; their indie and almost nostalgic lyrical storytelling has you moshing one minute, whilst grasping your mate and ascending into live music heaven the next. There really aren’t many feelings like it.
Sobbing and swaying in the vast ocean of shoulders whilst screaming the lyrics to ‘Helen. Oh I’, I questioned how any compliment will ever compare to launching “thousand ships every time” from a kiss.
The K’s were yearning before Wuthering Heights made it vogue (again).
Musically, the band were seamless and a well-oiled machine, and so were the audience as they wholeheartedly echoed every lyric back at the lads and bounced it off the walls.
The K’s have come a long way since their first visit to Gorilla (Credit: Lucy Wagstaffe)
Every primary school assembly proudly led us to this moment, and it did not disappoint, displaying their increasingly seasoned and successful career, which I can only imagine is going to go from strength to strength this year.
I don’t think we even one more fan could have squeezed one more passionate fan into Gorilla on the night; it was heaving with people and pride; the sweat dripping down the walls indicated things are big for these local lads, and we couldn’t be prouder.
They are another prime example of shining a deserving light on Northern artists! And having the 2026 BRIT Awards up here with us is a testament to that.
Featured Images — Lucy Wagstaffe (supplied via War Child UK)
Music
Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly
Danny Jones
If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.
Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.
This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.
We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:
The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.
With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.
Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.
From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.
Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.
While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.
Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.
Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…
Emily Sergeant -
9th March 2021 
