Exhibition: Oasis Fans 1994 – 1997
As Manchester gears up to welcome Oasis home, we are delighted to announce our latest, free exhibition.
Open to the public from 7pm on Wednesday 2nd July, Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 will show a series of never-before-seen photographs by renowned photographer Jon Shard, who opens the door to a world before online sales, dynamic pricing and frantically refreshing a website to get the hottest ticket in town.
The collection of photographs, co-curated by the British Culture Archive, shows scenes of fans excitedly queuing up in the cold winter of 1996, hoping to get their hands on tickets for the band’s sold out shows at Manchester City’s Maine Road stadium – for as little as £17.50 per ticket.
Renowned for his visually distinctive work across a number of fields, this was Shard’s first assignment for NME – the iconic music bible that shaped generations of music journalism and culture.
Speaking fondly of life pre-online ticket sales, Shard said: “Queuing in person had its charm – I felt privileged to capture the dedication of fans willing to stay out all night and brave the cold. Getting the ticket was an event itself, almost a rite of passage for fans.”
Giving visitors a deeper insight into the sold-out shows, as well as the magic of Oasis and their music, the exhibition will also feature a Fan Wonderwall – with archive images spanning from 1994-97 from fans attending gigs, spanning from pre-smart phone gig-videos, through to their latest performances.
Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 is open to the public from 7pm on Wednesday 2nd July on the walls of Refuge, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
The first 50 visitors will also receive a free limited edition zine, so they can take a piece of Oasis history home. Please head to the pop up shop on launch night (from 7pm on 2nd July) to claim – first 50 people only.
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About Jon Shard
Jon Shard is a UK-based photographer.He began his career capturing defining moments from the British music and rave scene of the 1990s and is now widely recognised for his work across portraiture, music, and advertising, with high-profile campaigns for globally recognised brands. His portfolio includes some of the world’s most celebrated sports stars and musicians. In addition to his commercial work, several of Jon’s portraits are featured in the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection. Based at his Manchester studio, Jon continues to collaborate with international clients on a wide range of commercial and creative projects.
About The British Culture Archive
British Culture Archive (BCA) is a photographic agency and publisher dedicated to preserving and celebrating British documentary photography. Through its online galleries, print collections, and touring exhibitions, BCA showcases powerful visual stories from post-war Britain to the present day. Since its founding in 2017, BCA has published and exhibited the work of established and emerging photographers, bringing global attention to previously unseen or overlooked talent.
Widely regarded as one of the most socially significant photographic archives of everyday British life, the BCA collections are freely accessible to all. The archive features compelling social documentary photography alongside culturally influential imagery from music and fashion. From post-war communities to punk, protests, housing, acid house, and the digital revolution, BCA offers an intimate and lasting portrait of British society through the decades.
