Reader here, and I finally had the chance to sit down to watch something I had been looking forward to for a while – the documentary about last year’s Oasis reunion tour, “Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger.”
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the extra cash on hand, to be able to hit up one (or more) of the reunion shows last year, and I’ll likely be in the same boat, when they tour again in 2027.
But seeing the documentary hit all the right buttons, and just made me so happy.
Starting with the 2009 blow-up in Paris, that saw Noel Gallagher walk out after one too many fights with his brother Liam, we get video of the crowd reacting with anger and sadness when the announcement is made that the band has split.
That led to 16 years of estrangement between the brothers… until rumours started flying that the frosty relationship between Liam and Noel was thawing out, and that Oasis was planning to reunite, and head out on tour in 2025.
We pick up the story in rehearsals, with cameras set up in a “fly on the wall” fashion, to be as unobtrusive as possible, and it works really well.
From a grey-bearded Noel and the band wondering whether or not Liam will show up, to playing those classic songs, to reaching the point that they’re ready to hit the road, that underlying tension is there, as if the other show is about to drop. But it never does.
From there, the hybrid lineup, consisting of Noel and Liam Gallagher, original Oasis rhythm guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, along with Oasis Mk. II lead guitarist Gem Archer and bassist Andy Bell, along with touring drummer Joey Waronker and keyboardist Christian Madden, hit the road, opening the tour in Cardiff, Wales, on July 4, 2025.
The crowd is pulsing with energy, and you see the band ready to roll backstage, when their walk-on tune, the fantastic instrumental, “F****n in the Bushes” hits, and the crowd goes berzerk. The band walks on stage, with Liam grabbing Noel’s hand and raising it in victory, before the band hits into “Hello,” and they’re off and running.
As the film progresses, we follow Oasis as they tour throughout the world, intercut with scenes featuring Oasis fans around the globe, talking about what the band and its music mean to them.
It’s really cool to get those different perspectives, as well as shots of fans in the crowds at the shows, who are letting 16 years of pent-up love for the band out in unbridled expressions of joy.
With all that said, what I loved about this film, is the focus on the relationship between the brothers, and how they’ve put the pieces back together, after years of animosity.
Hearing Noel talk about how he’d forgotten how funny Liam is, and how much it meant for people to see Liam singing those songs, was really cool.
Not to mention hearing the usually less-than-sentimental Noel talk about how there were several points during the shows, when he’d have to turn away from the crowds, especially when he’d see fathers and sons, or different generations coming together over Oasis. I loved seeing that.
Meanwhile, Liam spoke on how he was happy to see Noel to his left every night on stage, and getting his flowers, for writing so many all-time great tunes.
But beyond everything onstage, to me, it was extra special to see Noel and Liam come back together again as brothers and as family.
One thing that really struck me, that I hadn’t thought much about, was the fact that due to all the silly animosity, the brothers’ kids didn’t even really know each other, and with the tour, they were finally were spending time together and getting along like best friends.
Another great aspect to the doc, was seeing the love for “Bonehead,” who Noel said had a special something in his guitar playing, that just made Oasis sound right, adding that was responsible for the reunion happening, telling the opening night crowd in Cardiff that “if it wasn’t for him, none of this would’ve happened.”
There was also an opportunity for the guys to salute their friend, peer and influence, bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield, of the seminal English band the Stone Roses, who passed away suddenly during the course of the tour. When they played “Live Forever” and flashed Mani’s picture up on the big screen, you could see the emotion on the faces of the band, as they turned toward the screen to remember their fallen pal.
Noel also noted that the tour was an opportunity for Oasis to change the narrative, about how Oasis basically equaled chaos, but said it was about the band and more importantly, the music, and how the songs mean different things to different people, but that those songs have been taken to heart by so many people around the world.
That includes the United States, where Oasis never quite hit the heights that they did around the rest of the world. But this time around, they packed stadiums including the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, Chicago’s Soldier Field and MetLife Stadium, the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets. So… Oasis – not big in America? Yeah, that can be put to bed.
As well, seeing how Oasis crossed the generations was really something. There were the fans that were there for the first go-round, and they got that hit of nostalgia. But also, they passed that music on to their kids, who have really taken it to heart. For so long, it looked as it they’d never be able to experience what the hype was all about. But now, they got that chance.
Ultimately, the film is a testament to family and reconciliation. It also just so happens to have a killer soundtrack, with the band sounding as good as ever.
Even if you’re not an Oasis fan, I think you’ll enjoy this film. Also, if you’re a fan of cursing, there’s lot of that, too! Haha!
Noel put it simply, when he said “You know, this tour fixed a lot of things,” with all the animosity “forgiven without saying a word,” while Liam said “It feels like a weight’s been lifted,” adding “The music brought us back together.”
The big question now… beyond the tour set for 2027, will we hear some new music from Oasis? I for one, certainly hope so.
But even if we don’t, I am glad to see that the bonds have been rebuilt, and that the Gallagher family has been reunited. That’s the real highlight.
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