The band who shaped Oasis play an intimate show at Wigan's Old Courts this Saturday
Don’t miss the chance to hear a big with a special place in British musical history as it performs an intimate gig in Wigan
Wigan music fans have a last chance this week to see one of British indie's most quietly influential bands up close, as The Real People bring their stripped-back An Evening With… tour to The Old Courts.
Formed by brothers Tony and Chris Griffiths in 1988, The Real People signed to CBS in 1989 and released their eponymous debut album in 1991, spawning the singles Window Pane, Open Up Your Mind and The Truth.
The band went on to tour Britain, Europe, America and Japan, played Glastonbury, and supported The Pixies, David Bowie and Inspiral Carpets.
But it's what happened next that cemented their place in music history.
While touring with Inspiral Carpets, Chris and Tony took the band's roadie, a young Noel Gallagher, under their wing, along with his brother Liam and the rest of Oasis.
The Real People invited the fledgling band into their studio, helping produce the legendary Live Demonstration Tape that landed Oasis their deal with Alan McGee and Creation Records.
From there, the Griffiths brothers stayed close to the story: Tony sang backing vocals on Oasis' debut single Supersonic, Chris co-wrote the Roll With It B-side Rockin' Chair, and The Real People's own songwriting went on to inspire Oasis tracks including Columbia and Don't Go Away.
Their own catalogue kept growing too.
A second album, Marshmallow Lane, produced by Rolling Stones legend Jimmy Miller, featured the Top 40 hit Believer.
There was also a Top 10 single written for Cher, and a third album, What's On The Outside, with singles Rolling Stone, Rayners Lane and People In The Telly, plus tours alongside Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller and Simple Minds. Later albums Think Positive and Monday Morning Breakdown built the cult following, known to fans simply as "the Realies", that still packs out their shows today.
This Saturday September 5 date is a rare opportunity to see that back catalogue reimagined in stripped-down acoustic form, with Chris and Tony sharing the stories behind the songs, from the hits to the Oasis connection, in the kind of intimate setting that rarely comes around.
Tickets are on sale now at theoldcourts.com.