Oasis – first band session Castlefield Manchester.
Oasis’s first band photo session at Castlefield, Manchester, is a defining moment in the band’s history and the city’s cultural identity. Taken in the mid-1990s, the iconic image captures the raw, unpolished essence of Oasis at the start of their rise to superstardom. With their trademark attitude, the band—led by the fiercely charismatic Gallagher brothers, Noel and Liam—are seen against the backdrop of Manchester’s gritty industrial landscape, perfectly embodying the clash of working-class pride and rebellious swagger that became synonymous with both the band and the city itself.
Castlefield, with its juxtaposition of old warehouses, canals, and modern developments, was an ideal location for this photo shoot. The location symbolised the city’s history—once the heart of the Industrial Revolution, now evolving into a hub of creativity and culture. The image of the band, casually leaning on the railings or gazing coolly at the camera, became a powerful visual representation of a new era in Manchester’s music scene. It was a symbol of the transition from the ‘80s post-punk and Madchester era to the next wave of British rock.
Oasis, with their loud guitars, swaggering attitude, and anthem songs, would go on to become the driving force behind the rise of Britpop, a genre that dominated the UK music scene throughout the 1990s. But their significance was not limited to their music alone. Oasis embodied the spirit of Manchester—a city that had long been known for its musical innovation, from The Smiths to The Stone Roses, but had yet to produce a band on the scale of Oasis. The Gallaghers’ working-class background and unapologetic Mancunian pride resonated deeply with a generation that was looking for something real, something raw. They made it cool to be from Manchester again and, in doing so, reinvigorated the city’s cultural influence in music.
Their debut album Definitely Maybe, released in 1994, became the fastest-selling debut album in British history and marked the beginning of Oasis’s cultural dominance. Their sound—a blend of classic rock influences, Beatlesque melodies, and a bold, defiant attitude—spoke to a generation that had grown disillusioned with the grunge-heavy, introspective music of the early ’90s. Oasis’s brash, boisterous confidence was a breath of fresh air. They didn’t just want to make music; they wanted to rule the world, and they weren’t shy about saying it. This boldness was crucial not just to their success, but to the cultural shift they represented. They gave voice to a new sense of optimism, pride, and swagger that had been lacking in the British music scene.
Oasis’s influence on Manchester and beyond is immeasurable. They became the face of the city’s revitalisation in the ‘90s, bringing Manchester back to the forefront of the global music stage. Their massive success—capped by the release of What’s the Story Morning Glory? in 1995—also set the stage for the rise of other bands from the North of England, including Blur, Pulp, and The Verve, in the broader Britpop movement. But Oasis transcended their genre. Their attitude, style, and vision—embodied in that first photo at Castlefield—helped define a generation.
In many ways, Oasis represented more than just a band. They were a cultural force, a symbol of working-class pride, and an embodiment of the spirit of the ‘90s. The band’s legacy goes beyond their music. It’s about their ability to capture the zeitgeist of a time when Britain was shaking off the gloom of the past and embracing the future with a loud, unapologetic voice. That first band photo in Castlefield captures the beginning of something massive—a cultural revolution that would echo in Manchester, the UK, and beyond.
Printed on FUJI CRYSTAL ARCHIVE GLOSS
Professional colour paper from the Fuji Crystal archive range with a gloss finish, which accentuates the colour to give more contrast, glossiness and a punchy, rich feel.
