The planned auction of a significant collection of Oasis live recordings has been officially suspended following legal intervention from the band. The lot, which was set to go under the hammer this weekend, reportedly contains 63 recorded live performances and more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage featuring the Gallagher brothers and their bandmates during the 90s. Littleton Auctions, based in England, had previously valued the extensive collection between £1.2 million and £1.6 million before the band filed a motion to halt the sale.
The recordings were captured by Huw Richards, a sound engineer employed by the band from their 1994 debut until 2001. His son, Owain Richards, had brought the tapes to the auction house. Speaking to the BBC, Owain confirmed the legal dispute, stating, “It is true that Oasis have sued me and my father to try to prevent the auction of the tapes made by my father many years ago.” He added that the auction has been postponed to allow the legal matter to be resolved through litigation or other orderly means.
Benjamin Homer, the managing director of Littleton Auctions, emphasized the firm’s commitment to professional and transparent sales. He confirmed that the specific lot containing the tapes has been withdrawn due to the ongoing legal proceedings. While the recordings are currently in legal limbo, the auction house will proceed with the sale of other memorabilia, including previously unpublished photographs, studio materials, set lists, and instruments once owned by the band.
Owain Richards had previously shared insights into the meticulous nature of his father’s work, noting that Huw Richards labeled and backed up every recording to cassette over a 25-year period. “I grew up listening to these recordings,” Owain remarked, highlighting the personal and cultural significance of the tapes.
The legal move has sparked speculation regarding the content of the tapes. While the band’s history of internal friction is well-documented—and their upcoming reconciliation is the subject of a new documentary—the decision to block the sale suggests a desire to control their archival legacy as they prepare to return to the stage next year. For now, these rare glimpses into the band’s formative years remain unheard by the public.