41 dates, 14 countries, 5 continents and two brothers reunited, Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger reviewed
20:30, 05 Sep 2026Updated 21:03, 05 Sep 2026
Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger film stills(Image: Simon Emmett)
This time last year, something magical was happening. Oasis were taking over the world.
It started in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Those gritty and unmistakable drums chiming in, snarling guitars and attitude by the bucket-load, as ‘F*****’ in the Bushes’ signalled their arrival on stage.
It was a statement of intent – Liam and Noel were back.
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From the UK and Dublin, to Canada and the USA, and later Asia, Australia and South America, the world waited for 16 years, and by all accounts it was worth the collective exercise in patience.
Reunions are a bit like chess though. At the start it requires skilful manoeuvring and knowing your opponent’s next move – perhaps even before they do.
It’s this kind of sizing up, sussing out and coyness that’s captured in Don’t Look Back in Anger, the highly anticipated documentary film tracing back the steps of the pair reuniting and taking the world by storm with their reunion tour Oasis Live ‘25 last summer.
(L-R) Liam Gallagher, Steven Knight, Noel Gallagher, Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace attend the “Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger” Photocall during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival(Image: Getty Images)
The first few scenes of the brand new film show how Liam and Noel first interact with one another during rehearsals and after years of absence from one another’s lives. Liam saunters in with the trademark swag and it takes a little while for the Noel to get used to him again as they debate over chords, high notes and whether a song even needs drums.
And if you think about it, the tour had all the ingredients for a blockbuster film: brothers reunited, heartfelt tributes, a cracking soundtrack, and in true Oasis style, a few tambourines for good measure.
It just needed the right people to help them retell it – naturally they called in the best. Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight and acclaimed directors Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace.
The result? A film that’s sold as exclusive behind-the-scenes moments and never-before scene footage including Noel and Liam’s first joint interview in over 20 years, as well as the gigs from the fan’s perspective. But really, there is so much more to it.
Whereas Mat Whitecross’ Supersonic docu-film (2016) charted the band’s rise from their early days on a Burnage council estate and turbulent rise to to the top, culminating in those record-breaking Knebworth gigs, the latest film, Don’t Look Back in Anger, is a triumphant and joyous homage to one of rock and roll’s greatest comebacks.
Those delicate first conversations arrive early in the film, all documented thanks to a hidden camera rig in the London studio where Noel and Liam met for the first time to start rehearsing.
The band never saw a single member of the film crew allowing for plenty of candour and authentic reaction. Those first interactions feel tense, perhaps even a little stilted as Liam swans in and out as he sees fit – and isn’t afraid to give his opinions.
Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger film stills(Image: Simon Emmett)
“Are we ready then,” he bellows in that distinct Manc drawl, garnering smiles from the rest of the band – even Noel. They launch into the first song on the setlist ‘Hello’ and it’s like they’ve never been away.
The song Slide Away sees them debate the number of times they should sing ‘Take Me There’, it feels terse, but productive, like watching proper artists at work.
It’s clear though that despite their artistic differences, they take the rehearsals seriously. There’s also plenty of nerves leading up to kick off in Cardiff.
Liam, it seems, is conscious of people’s perception of him, notably the idea that people don’t think he can pull it off: “I know people are sitting there thinking get the geezer a drink waiting for me to f**k it up.”
But while 16 years is a long time to be away, as Noel states, “we’ve got a chance to change the narrative of the band”. The world, as they have noticed, is in disarray, but their songs, their reunion and message of forgiveness and hope, could be what their fans need most right now.
Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger film stills(Image: Simon Emmett)
As Noel says: “People more than ever want to escape, they want to be elevated out of their surroundings.”
Flipping the camera onto the gigs, the first Cardiff show is spinetingling. It is here where the audience see both sides of the coin – the band’s nerves gradually fizzling away and the crowd, some utterly awe-struck and in sheer disbelief at what they’re seeing on stage.
Filmed at almost all of the 41 dates – 14 countries and 5 continents – the creators enlisted some of the very best cinema photographers including Haris Zambarloukos of Belfast and Beetlejuice fame, Lol Crawley, known for The Brutalist, and James Laxton of Moonlight.
Like mini movies in themselves they capture the interpersonal dynamics between the band – the sideways looks, the carefully balanced tambourines, the brother’s fingers clasped and arms aloft – but in greater detail than social media could ever hope to achieve.
But it’s the tidal wave of emotions experienced by their fans as they finally hear the songs that have soundtracked their lives – relationships, breakups, family and grief – that make the hairs stand up on the back of your arms.
Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger film stills(Image: Simon Emmett)
In one clip, a man says Oasis splitting was ‘like losing a child’, while in others, fans share deeply personal recollections of what the band means to them, including a victim of the Manchester Arena bombing attack who details the impact of ‘Wonderwall’ as a song of unity. It’s hard not to be moved to tears by these stories and the honesty of their fanbase.
Ensuring that every fan sees their country or city represented, there’s stories from across the globe, but at times it feels slightly drawn out. The sharper focus on Cardiff, Dublin and Manchester shine bright though – the biblical references done in just the right way without it falling into sycophant territory.
Manchester shines bright, those unmistakable images of Gallagher Hill, red and blue flares being let out into the sky above, and bucket hats bobbing about as fans make the pilgrimage to Heaton Park.
“There is nothing like Manchester, it has got its own thing. It’s like an island,” says Noel. “Oasis couldn’t come from anywhere else, and if we did we did come from anywhere else we would be s***.
“Imagine if I had a West Country accent saying ‘we are going be the biggest band in the world’. It’s not gonna work. So we are absolutely products of Manchester.”
Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger film stills(Image: Simon Emmett)
There is no other way around it, what you watch is utterly captivating. Whether you were there or not, you feel part of it again – the tears, the sheer euphoria of people dancing and singing their hearts out – it’s pure alchemy. There’s plenty of humour too, as the two personalities collide and eventually find a meeting point.
Underpinning it, though, is the story arc of the brother’s relationship. Those first few scenes of rehearsals feel like things remain unsaid, but rather than thrash it out, the gigs themselves feel like the perfect remedy for years of misunderstanding, miscommunication and growing distance.
We can all relate to familial relationships, especially the breakdown of relations, so to see them patch things up, speak of their fondness of one another, how they’re children are best mates, and even hear Noel call Liam “delightful” feels quite poignant.
It’s a story about friendships mended, bonds built, forgiveness over ego and the power of music. It’s also about the fans, what they brought to the shows and what seeing the band live for the first time in 16 years ago meant – that surely is the power of music, of family and letting bygones be bygones.