The Oasis book sending Manchester publisher global
The Oasis effect is catapulting Manchester once again on to the global stage - and now a city-based book publisher is feeling the force of the big reunion of the Gallagher brothers.
Backstage Books is the new publishing brand launched by Manchester fashion entrepreneur Anthony Donnelly, of GioGoi fame.
It specialises in rock biographies, including the in-demand Oasis book featuring rare early photographs of the band by Roger Sargent and Jill Furmanovsky called Feeling Supersonic - From Madchester to Britpop.
READ MORE: You can now apply to work as bar staff at the huge Oasis gigs at Heaton Park this summer
READ MORE: Soho House confirm new Manchester opening date after years of delays
The cover features an iconic Oasis shot that is said to be "Liam's favourite photo of himself", according to Anthony, and the book is decribed as a "love letter to Oasis and the bands, parties, clothes and city that made them".
The book, written by Sunday Times bestseller Simon Spence, is split into two parts - one on the Madchester scene that defined Oasis and the second following the epic reformation of the Stone Roses and culminating with "Noel and Liam as never seen before".
It features artists like Ian Brown, New Order, Reni, Happy Mondays, Pulp, Primal Scream, John Squire, and more cultural icons from the Manchester scene.
The publishing firm also has books exploring a range of other music and culture icons including The Sex Pistols, Depeche Mode and artist Banksy among its ever-expanding roster of books.
Now, they've signed a deal with Stateside literary agency The Rights Factory, who Donnelly says have big plans for the books, which are on sale here in the UK in a range of shops including HMV and Waterstones.
Anthony says: "It's gone off like a rocket. To get a book deal off The Rights Factory in New York is major, they're taking the Oasis book worldwide and they're talking about films, documentaries, talks with Netflix."
Anthony adds that the Oasis comeback tour this summer is placing Manchester on a world stage.
He says: There's a real keen eye overseas looking at all things Manchester - we are the centre of the universe again.
"Manchester is the accent at the moment, we're back in fashion."
Nat Kimber from The Rights Factory said: "Backstage Books are the quintessential 21st century rock n roll publishers, turning the narrative of iconic history into manifestos for this moment
"They're bringing something that we haven't seen in underground art since the punk new wave and house music revolutions. I am crazy about and proud to be part of this global Manc endeavour."
While the book side of things are taking off, Anthony still owns the GioGoi brand synonymous with 90s and 00s Manc style. There are big plans afoot for that brand too - with a host of different GioGoi branded products for the first time including its first beverage line too.
Anthony said: "Although selling clothes is still heavy on the agenda, given the popularity of the brand we are exploring perfumery and furniture also we will be introducing technology into the brand with a crypto coin GioGoin in discussion too."
Feeling Supersonic: From Manchester to Britpop published by Backstage Books is on sale now from bookstores and online.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dawn French apologises for 'clumsy tone' in Gaza clip
Dawn French has posted a public apology after posting a video about the war in Gaza, and removed the item from her social media. The 40-second video posted earlier this week showed the star of BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley share her views on the conflict, saying "Complicated, no, but nuanced. But bottom line is no." Switching into a high-pitched voice, she continued: "Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us, yeah but no. But we want that land... and we have history... No. Those people aren't really even people, are they really? No." Following a backlash with people complaining she was mocking the 7 October attack that ignited the war, French removed the video on Saturday and said she never meant to "mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror" of the event. "I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but I clearly have. For which I am sorry and I have removed the video." French said that she had posted a video in the style that she has been using for social media "in an effort to convey an important point", although she added that she had "clumsily used a mocking tone". "My intention was never to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 2023 and what continues to unfold from that brutal unthinkable, unforgivable, savage attack." She said her intention had been "to point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leaders on all sides of this atrocious war".
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Zawe Ashton expecting second child with fiancé Tom Hiddleston
Zawe Ashton is expecting her second child with fiancé Tom Hiddleston. The 40-year-old actress shared the news with Vogue on Saturday (07.06.25), alongside a maternity photoshoot in which she appears in a pale blue Emilia Wickstead gown with a matching cape. Zawe confirmed she would debut her baby bump later this weekend at the SXSW festival, saying of her red carpet look: 'I feel really lucky to be working with someone that I know and who's been such a champion of me at this sensitive red-carpet dressing moment. 'I feel like I'll be very held on an evening where, as an expectant mother, you can feel a little bit exposed.' Zawe and Tom, who have been engaged since 2022, welcomed their first child together later that same year. She and the 44-year-old have not publicly disclosed their child's name or gender. Zawe, who has been a long-time admirer of Wickstead's work, also told Vogue: 'We met years ago at the British Fashion Awards when she dressed me and we attended together. 'We had the most fabulous night and instantly felt like kindred spirits. We aligned so much on fashion and womanhood, and I've always loved her designs. They embody a seamless blend of classic and contemporary, and she's also just an incredible craftsperson. 'You feel the level of detail that goes into every piece when you wear them.' Emilia Wickstead, 42, who designed the maternity gown Ashton will wear at SXSW, described the commission as 'especially meaningful and full circle'. 'Zawe wore a soft pink gown from us during her last pregnancy — quietly glowing, with a little secret only she knew,' Wickstead said. She added: 'Now, to celebrate her second in this beautiful blue from our pre-fall collection, and to share it with the world, feels like a sweet continuation of that story. I'm so honoured to be part of it. 'Zawe is also such a vibrant, clever and special friend and muse of the brand — she's been wearing Emilia Wickstead for years, and I love being part of her journey.' A source told Us Weekly following the birth of Zawe and Tom's first child they 'are loving being new parents and are filled with joy'. They added the pair 'have been having the struggles of new parents and aren't sleeping much but are thrilled'. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast in November 2023, Tom said fatherhood had changed his outlook on life. He added: 'I think I probably knew it would, but I could never have imagined how deeply it would until it happened,' he said. 'And yeah, it's before and after.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Surprising New James Bond Actor Is Already a 'Dexter' Star
When IO Interactive dropped its first trailer for the new James Bond game, 007 First Light, the most surprising thing was the revelation of a new actor, playing Bond himself. This blonde-ish Bond is younger than were used to, and for hardcore fans, recalled the vibe of Bond from Charlie Higson's YA Young Bond books, or the prequel novel by Anthony Horowitz, Forever and a Day. But who is this young, dashing young star? The answer is that the new James Bond (in video game form) is an actor with an impressive resume. As pointed out by the Bond fan Instagram account, 007EverythingOrNothing, the new Bond is actor Patrick Gibson, sometimes known as Paddy Gibson. And for fans of Dexter: Original Sin, Gibson played the younger version of the titular character in that hit show. Basically, Gibson has already played a famous killer before stepping into the role of James Bond, albeit a killer of a very different type. 007 First Light will tell a new kind of James Bond origin story, in a contemporary setting. This is a different type of reboot, one that exists outside of the continuity of the films or existing books. That said, the modern vibe to the trailer does have shades of Kim Sherwood's recent Double O novels, Double or Nothing and A Spy Like Me. Essentially, like the movies, this game suggests that the world can change, but a younger version of Bond will always remain Bond. At 30 years old, it's notable that Patrick Gibson is one year younger than Sean Connery was when he filmed Dr. No in 1962. He's also close to the age George Lazenby was in 1969 (29) in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. To be clear, there's no reason to think that Gibson will also become the cinematic Bond in the hush-hush new film being developed by Amazon MGM. That said, if fans end up loving 007 First Light next year, it's possible that Gibson could emerge as a new favorite. Technically, he's the first new James Bond actor announced in the past 19 years, and he's already got an impressive acting career to back it up. Surprising New James Bond Actor Is Already a 'Dexter' Star first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 6, 2025
