Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis performing on stage
Music

Oasis Fuming Over Secret Vault Auction of Unreleased Tapes Worth $2 Million

Liam and Noel Gallagher allegedly want a massive stash of 100+ hours of raw rehearsals, soundchecks, and backstage bickering yanked from the auction block.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 1 min read

Oasis might be back on good terms for their blockbuster reunion tour, but a massive trove of their past is creating fresh drama. A staggering collection of unheard audio from the British rock icons is slated to hit the auction block on October 3, and the Gallagher brothers are reportedly furious about the sale. Dubbed "The Desk Tapes," the treasure trove features 63 live show recordings alongside more than 100 hours of raw rehearsals, pre-show soundchecks, and unedited bantering between Noel and Liam Gallagher. Among the standout items in the vault is what experts believe to be the sole existing recording of the group's legendary 1996 performance on the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland. The entire lot carries an estimated price tag ranging from £1.2 million to £1.6 million (roughly $1.6 million to $2.1 million USD). The sale is being handled by UK-based Littleton Auctions, offering diehard fans an unprecedented peek into the band's peak nineties era. ## Why are Oasis tapes being auctioned? The historical stash wasn't snagged by a random collector. It was compiled directly from the soundboard by Huw Richards, the band's long-serving sound engineer who toured with Oasis from their explosive 1994 debut album *Definitely Maybe* through 2001. ## Are Liam and Noel Gallagher stopping the auction? The Gallagher camp reportedly isn't thrilled about these private moments being sold off to the highest bidder. Speaking to *The Times*, Richards' son, Owain Richards, revealed that the rock stars want the entire vault turned over to them directly. According to Owain, conversations between his family and Oasis management took place a few years back regarding the physical tapes. However, with the auction date looming fast, it remains unclear whether the band's legal team will step in to pull the plug on the sale or attempt to outbid wealthy collectors to secure their own history.

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Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis performing on stage
Littleton Auctions ‘The Desk Tapes’

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People also ask

What are the Oasis Desk Tapes?
The Desk Tapes are a collection of 63 live concert recordings and over 100 hours of rehearsal, soundcheck, and interview audio captured by former Oasis sound engineer Huw Richards between 1994 and 2001.
How much are the rare Oasis tapes expected to sell for?
The archive is estimated to fetch between £1.2 million and £1.6 million at Littleton Auctions on October 3.
How do Noel and Liam Gallagher feel about the Oasis tape auction?
According to reports, the Gallagher brothers are unhappy about the public sale and reportedly want the private audio collection returned to their own possession.