Before they filled stadiums on their reunion tour, Oasis was just a promising young band from Manchester. Ever wondered what those raw, early days looked like? A new exhibition in Los Angeles is revealing never-before-seen photos by Kevin Cummins that capture their rise to stardom. Get ready to go back in time and witness the making of legends!
As the legendary rock music band Oasis continues to captivate global audiences on their highly anticipated reunion tour, it becomes easy to view them solely as the stadium-filling icons they are today. However, a remarkable new exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the formative years of these Manchester-born musicians, revealing the raw energy and nascent talent that predated their immense fame.
Renowned British music photographer Kevin Cummins was a privileged eyewitness to the Gallagher brothers’ early journey in the vibrant 1990s. His intimate lens captured Oasis during a pivotal era, documenting the group’s ascent from promising newcomers to the brink of superstardom. Cummins’ extensive archive from this period forms a crucial visual record of the band’s foundational years.
This rich collection of imagery initially culminated in Cummins’ acclaimed photo book, released earlier this year, which provided fans with an unprecedented look at Oasis in their developmental stage. The book served as a vital precursor to the current event, setting the stage for an even more immersive experience for enthusiasts of band history.
Now, as Los Angeles eagerly prepares for the band’s first live performances in the city since 2008, a significant exhibition of Cummins’ photographs is set to debut. The prestigious Musichead Gallery in Hollywood will host this exclusive showcase, opening its doors on September 4th. The inauguration will feature a special artist talk and book signing by Cummins himself, providing a unique opportunity for fans to engage directly with the photographer and the stories behind his iconic images. The exhibition will run through early November, offering ample time for public viewing.
The LA exhibitions by Kevin Cummins will prominently feature images of Oasis taken in the year following their landmark 1993 signing with Creation Records, the Sony subsidiary responsible for launching their groundbreaking 1994 debut album, *Definitely Maybe*, and its equally influential 1995 follow-up, *[What’s the Story] Morning Glory?*. These photographs encapsulate a crucial period that shaped the band’s sonic and visual identity.
Sam Milgrom, founder and curator of the Musichead Gallery, expressed immense enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are excited that Kevin Cummins will be at our gallery to speak about not only all things Oasis, but all things Manchester.” Milgrom further emphasized that Cummins’ new book and the accompanying photo exhibition are poised to cultivate a fresh appreciation for his exceptional talent, allowing fans to delve deeper into the enigmatic legends of rock music.
The timing of the exhibition’s opening strategically aligns with a surge of “Oasis Fever” gripping Los Angeles. It precedes the band’s highly anticipated Oasis Live ’25 tour stops in L.A., scheduled for September 6th and 7th at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Adding to the buzz, the band also launched their first North American Oasis Live ’25 Fan Store on Hollywood Boulevard in August, further amplifying the excitement for this celebration of Oasis.
While Los Angeles is a focal point, the Oasis Live ’25 tour continues its global trajectory. Following a performance in Chicago, the band will move to East Rutherford, New Jersey, then Los Angeles, and Mexico City before concluding their September dates in London. Subsequent legs of the tour will take them through South America and Asia, solidifying their status as a truly international phenomenon.
This confluence of a landmark exhibition, the global reunion tour, and dedicated fan experiences underscores the enduring legacy of Oasis and their profound impact on rock music culture. The Kevin Cummins photographs serve as a poignant reminder of their journey from humble beginnings to global superstardom, inviting fans new and old to explore the origins of a legendary band history.
