“The visual legacy of Oasis does not end after 365 days,” NMC CEO.
Liam Gallagher in a classic pose, joining the rest of the Oasis band before performing their record-breaking series of concerts at Knebworth, Hertfordshire. The photograph was taken in 1996 by Simon Walker and used on the front page of The Times.
The News Media Coalition (NMC) has formally protested a restrictive condition placed on press photographers covering the opening night of the Oasis Live ’25 tour, following a wave of concern from photo editors across the news industry.
According to organisers, editors and news outlets would only be allowed to use images taken at the Cardiff concert – the band’s first in over a decade – for a period of 12 months. In response, the NMC has written directly to the band’s management, Ignition, and the press handler Dawbell to express opposition to the time-based usage restriction.
“News photography has had a significant role in amplifying interest and telling the visual cultural story of artists such as Oasis. It’s part of the legacy. And that does not stop after 365 days,” said NMC Chief Executive Andrew Moger.
“Oasis Live ’25 will attract editorial coverage throughout the 41-venue tour and for years to come. We invite the concert organisers to withdraw the ‘shelf-life’ of such newsworthy material and not to diminish the copyright work of photographers – who are in their own way artists too.”
The NMC stressed that such a limitation is highly unusual in the context of editorial press coverage, particularly for a globally significant cultural event. The policy risks not only undermining the long-standing editorial norms that allow for historical referencing and journalistic retrospectives, but also affects the broader ecosystem of independent photographers, agencies, news publishers and broadcasters who rely on continued access and use of visual content.
Moger added: “Editors rightly want the choice, as usual, to use the material for years to come – in band retrospectives, tributes, to illustrate future concert news – and to play their role in keeping the Oasis story alive.”
The NMC will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the preservation of editorial freedoms and the copyright interests of photographers. News images are more than promotional tools – they are cultural records with enduring value.
How the news media reported on the issue of news photographs at Oasis’ gigs:
How the news media’s news photography has showcased Oasis over the years.
Liam Gallagher and rock band Oasis, treat fans and invite photographers from the news media to a free gig at the Virgin Megastore in London’s Oxford Street at midnight, to launch their long-awaited new album ‘(What’s The Story?) Morning Glory‘ in 1995.
The Gallagher brothers at a West End event in London in 1995. Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Oasis performing at the ‘Gurtenfestival’ in Berne in 2002.
How the Oasis’ production team used news headlines to dramatically lay out the band’s evolution before their entrance on stage
The NMC protested the restrictive condition placed on press photographers covering the Oasis Live ’25 tour in multiple blog posts. Read more at:
– NMC Challenges 12-Month Limit on Oasis Press Photos – 09.07.2025
– Oasis Tour Photo Restrictions Impact Scope and Visibility of News Coverage – 15.07.2025
