MASTERPLAN25 marks 25 years since the release of OASIS’ debut album DEFINITELY, MAYBE. The exhibition will include never before seen imagery of this iconic band.
Masterplan 25: The Oasis Photographs runs from Friday 22nd November 2019 – Sunday 12th January 2020. It is free of charge, non-ticketed event.
It is 25 years since the release of Oasis’ debut album, Definitely Maybe; the fastest-selling debut album in British rock history.
The h Club London (formerly The Hospital Club) and The Archivist’s Gallery will host this brand-new free exhibition of Oasis photography at h Club London’s gallery. Visitors can immerse themselves in the album artwork and never-before-seen images, behind the scenes photography and memorabilia from throughout the band’s career.
Masterplan25 features the work of Michael Spencer Jones, one of the UK’s most influential rock photographers, responsible for creating some of the most iconic sleeve art in recent British rock history.
Spencer Jones was given an intimate insight into the band’s life in full from in-studio recording sessions to the backstage dressing rooms and front row areas.
Having worked with some of Britain’s most recognisable rock bands including The Verve and Oasis, he is the only photographer that was allowed access throughout most of Oasis’ career. He accompanied them from their pre-fame days in 1993 to their milestone gig at Knebworth in 1996, and on through to the tours that accompanied the release of Be Here Now in 1997 and 1998.
Michael Spencer Jones said:
“I am delighted to be exhibiting my work with Oasis at h Club London, especially the shots and artefacts fans will never have seen before. Seen from the digital matrix in which we now live, Oasis were the last gasp of air in the analogue age; the last great rock’n’roll band before Zuckerberg, before iPhones and before the internet began to shape and control our lives. I hope this exhibition gives fans a chance to pause and reflect and look back upon a time when the face and image of Britain was being revolutionised from below.”
The exhibition will showcase the artwork for three of Oasis’ earliest and most influential albums; Definitely, Maybe (1994), What’s The Story (1995)and Be Here Now (1997), with scenes re-created with a series of to-scale immersive mockups, giving visitors the chance to recreate the iconic poses for themselves.
From Bonehead’s front room to a semi-submerged Rolls Royce the exhibition will provide content like no other. Visitors will also be able to view the artwork from a selection of Oasis’ singles including Supersonic (1994), Live Forever (1994), Cigarettes & Alcohol (1994), Whatever (1994), Some Might Say (1995), Roll With It (1995), Wonderwall (1995), Don’t Look Back In Anger (1995), D’You Know What I Mean? (1997) and All Around The World (1998).
Spencer Jones is a devoted collector and therefore had the opportunity and wherewithal to hold on to the various letters, scraps of paper and props from his myriad shoots with the band. This memorabilia provide a fascinating and immersive insight into the band. Items include props from the original shoots, original handwritten song lyrics and correspondence with the fans.
Michael Berg, CMO h Club said of the upcoming Exhibition:
“We are absolutely thrilled to be exhibiting Michael Spencer Jones’ brilliant work, which shaped Oasis’ image. It’s difficult to imagine ‘Definitely Maybe’ without seeing a spinning globe in a living room; ‘Be Here Now’ without a Rolls Royce in a swimming pool; or ‘Wonderwall’ without a girl in a picture frame – without Michael, Oasis may have been an entirely different band.”
The exhibition delves beneath the famous covers, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the set of shoots for the legendary Oasis album and single covers from informal, the off-guard moments to frame-stealing play-acting.
All images will be accompanied by interviews and anecdotes from Spencer Jones and the band. Shots will include behind the scenes recording sessions at Rockfield Studios, unseen photography of Oasis on tour and previously unseen outtakes from their famous covers.
There will be limited edition photographs on-sale throughout the exhibition.
Oasis – What’s The Story Morning Glory 
Oasis – Definitely Maybe 
Oasis – Be Here Now 
Liam & Noel Galagher – Columbia Hotel London 1994 
Noel Gallagher – Demoing Definitely Maybe Out of the Blue Studios 1993
