While We Were Getting High: Britpop & the ’90s in Photographs by Kevin Cummins - Non Fiction - Hardcover
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Title:
While We Were Getting High: Britpop & the ‘90s in photographs with unseen images by Kevin Cummins
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781788402200
Overview:
Step into the glittering chaos of Cool Britannia with a volume that captures the Britpop era in a new, intimate light. While We Were Getting High presents hundreds of striking photographs from Kevin Cummins—the celebrated photographer who served as chief photographer at NME for more than a decade—offering a behind-the-scenes view of a decade defined by swagger, spontaneity, and seismic musical shifts. This hardcover collection spots imagery that hasn’t been widely seen before, inviting readers to witness the rise and the fall of a cultural moment through Cummins’s lens. Expect raw energy, candid backstage moments, and the magnetic charisma of leading figures who defined a generation. The book also features contributions from Britpop luminaries such as Noel Gallagher and Brett Anderson, enriching a photographic diary that’s as much about attitude as it is about appearance. From club nights to stadium glories, this is a densely rewarding, tactile tribute to a time when music and fashion fused into a single, unforgettable movement.
What Makes This Book Stand Out:
This is more than a photo book; it’s a time capsule curated by a master of rock imagery. Cummins’s decades-long experience with rock legacies translates into images that feel immediate and intimate—pushing beyond glossy stage shots to reveal the mood, mischief, and meticulous craft behind the scenes. The inclusion of unseen photographs adds a fresh layer of discovery, making repeats feel new and prompting fans to reimagine the era’s most famous moments. The narrative is anchored by authentic voices from the scene—Noel Gallagher, Brett Anderson, and others—creating a curated arc through the highs, tensions, and triumphs of Britpop. The book’s design, paper quality, and premium hardcover presentation make it a collector-worthy keepsake as well as a vivid, immersive reading experience. For photography lovers and music fans alike, it’s a definitive, hang-on-to-it homage to a decade when youth culture defined a generation.
Who This Book Is Perfect For:
Ideal for readers aged 16 and up who cherish 1990s music, documentary photography, and fashion from iconic eras. Perfect for Britpop enthusiasts, NME fans, and anyone seeking a visually rich entry point into the decade’s cultural watershed. It also serves as a compelling gift for collectors, coffee-table display, and classroom or home study on music history, photography, or cultural studies. If you remember the era—or wish you’d been there—this book delivers a vivid, tangible connection to the sounds, sights, and atmosphere of a defining moment in modern popular culture.
Key Highlights:
- Hundreds of striking Britpop-era photographs captured by Kevin Cummins
- Previously unseen images that deepen the lore of the 1990s music scene
- Contributions from Britpop icons including Noel Gallagher and Brett Anderson
- Authentic, backstage perspective on the rise and fall of Cool Britannia
- Premium hardcover presentation suited for display and gifting
- Authored by a photographer whose work is held by the National Portrait Gallery and the V&A
About the Author:
Kevin Cummins is a renowned British photographer celebrated for his work with rock bands and musicians. His photographs have become defining images of late 20th-century music culture, and his career includes a long association with NME as chief photographer for more than a decade. Cummins’s work is part of prestigious collections, including the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. His knack for capturing the soul of a performance and the personality behind the persona makes him uniquely qualified to document Britpop’s visual terrain—turning a moment into a lasting, iconic record. This volume showcases his signature ability to fuse documentary immediacy with carefully composed portraiture, inviting readers to feel the music as much as see it.
Why You’ll Love This Book:
If you crave immersive photography that tells a story as you turn each page, this book delivers. The combination of hundreds of high-impact images, rare unseen shots, and voice from the era’s key figures creates a holistic portrait of Britpop’s spectacle and humanity. The hardcover format with quality print makes it a compelling display piece and a satisfying purchase for collectors and fans alike. Whether you’re building a music photography library, seeking a standout gift for a music lover, or simply wanting to relive the era’s audacious energy, this title offers lasting value and a vivid, euphoric reading experience.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.
