I was never a fan of Oasis, mainly because when they emerged, I immediately took a dislike to the vocalist Liam Gallagher.

I just found him obnoxious and in need of a punch on the nose or a cold shower or preferably both.

Then suddenly I started watching the magnificent comedy series based in Manchester, The Royle Family.

It is one of the most original pieces of British TV ever made and the theme song that introduces each episode is called Half a World Away.

It’s a beautiful song and the most apt lead in to a TV series I had ever heard. I said to my wife at the time, “is that Oasis?” It was Noel Gallagher singing but yes it was Oasis.

 

In 2016 the brilliant co-writer and star of The Royle Family Caroline Ahern, passed away and Noel played the song live at her funeral. There wouldn’t have been a dry eye in the house I’m sure.

So many years after The Royle Family revelation, I found a second hand copy of the Oasis 2016 documentary,Supersonic.

It gave a very good insight into the meteoric rise of the band in their first three years of existence being 1993 to 1996.

Again it reinforced Liam’s idiocy and selfishness, but it highlighted the writing genius of Noel and the indisputable pure rock voice of Liam.

Their story from the Manchester tenements, the drunken, abusive father who abandoned them and the brother’s belief in themselves is the stuff of legends.

The making of their only two albums is fascinating but the tensions between the two brothers rises in parallel to their fame.

Fast forward to last night’s premier of Don’t Look Back In Anger and we see Oasis embarking on their 2015 World Tour.

Only problem they have is that the Gallagher Brothers haven’t spoken since 2009 when they had a backstage ‘punch on’ that effectively ended their last tour. Fifteen years of silence.

The scenes at the start of the documentary where we see the band rehearsing in London were quite riveting as Liam finally turns up, as obstinate as ever.

At first you think this isn’t going to end well. Liam does what he needs to do and remarkably, extremely well mind you, then disappears after each session out the back door without a word.

The first concert is in Cardiff and Noel is understandably nervous about his unpredictable brother but when the band are about to enter the stage, Liam grabs Noels hand and leads him out to an ecstatic reaction, holding Noels arm up high and pointing to him as ‘The Man’.

This is a different Liam. Grown up, clean and a dad. He would continue to replay that action at every show on the tour as a tribute to his brother.

The documentary doesn’t have guest artists espousing their love for the band thankfully. Instead the makers have chosen to focus on the crowds who have lost their mind seeing their heroes after such a long gap in performing.

The concert footage is OK and the sound is superb. Again, what hits you most is the effect the music has on the fans. The interaction of the brothers and their fans is authentic and very moving. Finally some humility from Liam!

The band are as tight as a drum and there is a special little acknowledgement to the rhythm guitarist ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs whose influence in the band isn’t dissimilar to the late Malcolm Young of AC/DC.

Noel’s songs are simple and anthemic. Although rockier, I liken them to the craft of Neil Finn, catchy and foot tappingly good.

As Liam says, there was no particular moment when the reconciliation with Noel occurred, it just came naturally. To see them both laughing together was a joy.

I guess if me and my brother made $125m each for a tour, we would be laughing too.

$250m would be enough to buy St Kilda FC, do a clean out and get that elusive second flag.

Anyway, this is an excellent documentary for all music lovers and a must for Oasis fans.

Both docos provide a thorough insight into not just some great music but an exploration into the interesting dynamics between two diametrically opposed brothers. 8.5/10

Other films seen recently:

  • The Invite. Quite funny with an excellent ensemble cast. 7.5/10
  • The Odyssey. Sorry but I just can’t do the fantasy stuff, so I’m not qualified. My friend Karl loved it so I’ll say 8/10
  • Tony. I’m a huge fan of the late Anthony Bourdain and this biopic was quite good although I wasn’t overly convinced by the lead playing the juvenile Bourdain. 7.5/10
  • & Sons. Woeful. So insipid was this film that even the great Imelda Staunton couldn’t save it. 2/10