From designing the classic Oasis logo in 1993, to every record sleeve released by Oasis and The Verve in the 1990s, Microdot is no ordinary memorabilia shop.
The new store on King Street, launched by Wigan-born graphic designer Brian Cannon - the man who created the cover for Oasis' debut album 'Definitely Maybe' - sells a wide range of artwork, merchandise and memorabilia. His studio Microdot is also behind a selection of artwork for Suede, Cast, Ash and Super Furry Animals.
Unlike other music art shops, everything on sale and on display was created at Microdot and directly commissioned by the bands themselves - a USP Brian is particularly proud of. The King Street space also features the fireplace featured on the aforementioned Oasis album leant to the shop by the band's co-founder Bonehead.
Read more: Slattery’s releases ‘Madchester’ Easter egg inspired by the Haçienda and Oasis
"I set up Microdot up over 30 years ago as a graphic design company, specialising in artwork for record sleeves - a real lost artform nowadays," explains Brian as we take a look around the shop. "Back in the day when bands like The Verve and Oasis were massive I did everything they released artwork-wise so there's a lot of stuff from both bands in here, plus other bands I worked with like Cast and Ash, plus new stuff from Wigan band The Lathums - in fact, we recently did their number one album sleeve."
Despite a soft launch a few weeks ago, there was a long queue outside the shop when it opened its doors - a success Brian attributes to the design studio's loyal social media following. As well as work at prices to suit all budgets, Microdot-designed memorabilia dating from 1990 including one-off pieces and items such as Oasis' unplayed 'Be Here Now' vinyl signed by Bonehead and The Verve's 'Urban Hymns' poster line the shop's walls.
Having played a key role in the UK music scene in the 90s, Cannon's work spans graphic design, art direction, photography and music videos, and his influence is evident from many of the items found in the shop. Contrary to popular belief, the logo for 'Definitely Maybe' on the Oasis cover is not Noel Gallagher's handwriting, nor is it a typeface, but rather Brian's handwriting.
Presented in the shop for the first time and exclusive to Microdot is the handwritten logo, signed by Brian and accompanied by a personally signed letter from him outlining the history of the title design based on a conversation he had with Noel in 1994. Its joined by annotated illustrations of other Oasis album artwork from the 'Roll With It' cover to 'The Masterplan' and the legendary 'Be Here Now', which featured a Rolls Royce car in a swimming pool.
"The music industry has changed so much, people don't actually buy music as such anymore," says Brian. "As a result of downloads and streaming, record companies don't have budgets for spend on artwork and physical packaging, so this is kind of a thing is a dying artform.
"But people love it, it's not just people from my era reliving their youth, a lot of people who are buying from us weren't even born when these records came out. I particularly like the early Verve stuff, which didn't actually sell well early on because their music didn't become as well known until Bittersweet Sympathy, but they had been going well before Oasis."
Reflecting on what it was like to work with some of Greater Manchester's most famous musical exports, Brian says they were a lot more professional than the Britpop narrative might suggest. "Despite the reputation of the 90s, everyone was remarkably professional, Oasis in particular.
"I often cite the fact that they were prolific between 1994 and 1997, put out three albums, put on numerous gigs and promoted it all, and it would be impossible to put out that body of work if you were smashed all the time. They were very good to work with - always work first, party afterwards - we did a lot of that - and it was a wonderful time to be around."
The Manchester branch is the brand's second store following the launch of its Kendal site in the Lake District, but as Brian says, is a homecoming of sorts and a natural next step.
"I actually started out in Manchester, the first Microdot studio when we were just a design agency before we got into the retail side was just off of Oxford Road. And I chose Manchester because it's the capital of the North, it's the most cosmopolitan city in England outside the capital. I'm not a Mancunian so I don't have that same bias but I think it's one of the most exciting places outside of London."
A sentiment echoed by Microdot's operations manager Ben Mason who adds: "Manchester, for so long synonymous with musical heritage, is for us the perfect place to launch the new Microdot store." And there's imminent plans to open a larger shop in Manchester, so keep your eyes peeled.
Microdot Manchester is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm, and 11am-5pm on Sunday.Microdot Manchester, 6 King Street, Manchester, M2 6AQ.
Read next:
