As well as working within the music industry and creating meticulously planned photographs, Michael also considers himself to be a serious portrait photographer and has captured many famous faces with his simple and emotive style of photography often using natural or available light to create an intimacy between the subject and viewer. It was using this style of portraiture that Michael produced his series of acclaimed portraits for the permanent exhibition ‘Children in War’ at the Imperial War Museum North. Michael has recently published Supersonic – The Oasis Photographs – published by Omnibus Press, an in depth book looking at Michael’s photography and work with the band. His imagery of Oasis is inextricably linked to their visual identity and you can probably imagine the covers to Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? without reading further.
JEFF THOMPSON Jeff is co-founder of Un-Convention, and a Director of Manchester’s Bare Noise Records. Established in 2008, Un-Convention is a UK based global music network and development agency. The events and projects bring together artists and practitioners to share knowledge and expertise. Through this Jeff has helped to develop a number of new and innovative approaches to building sustainable careers and alternative models for the music industries. His current work includes a long term music project working with young people in Manchester,
the development of a number of music co-operatives in Africa, and a revolutionary new UK based touring model called Off Axis. He is fortunate enough to spend much of his time working with musicians, filmmakers, designers, illustrators, writers, directors, actors, dancers, animators and numerous other talented and innovative people.
THUNDER Thunder will launch the band’s first book “Giving The Game Away - The Thunder Story” at the Louder Than Words literary festival in Manchester on November 12th, 8.30pm. Author Joel McIver will join the band, ask the questions and do his best to keep the proceedings on track. For their part, the band will discuss the book, explain 40 years of band history in 10 minutes, and play some acoustic versions of their songs. Afterwards, the band will mingle freely with attendees and sign copies of the book (which has pictures in it as well as words!). Thunder singer Danny Bowes says “Joel wrote the book after interviewing us and all our significant others. He deserves a medal, but instead his prize is to interview us all over again. We’ll burst into song when it looks like he needs a rest”. Please note that merchandise signing will be restricted to copies of ‘Giving The Game Away – The Thunder Story’. Thank you in advance of your understanding.