I Went to See the Film Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger

This time, I’m sharing my thoughts on the live documentary film Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger!

I ended up writing quite a lot, but to put it simply, it was absolutely incredible. I was thrilled to hear the music in Dolby’s excellent sound quality and to get an extensive look at the Gallagher brothers as they are today, including footage of rehearsals and interviews. Personally, I loved how they kept dropping F-bombs. That’s what a rock ’n’ roll star should be like! ^^ I could really feel the passion that fans around the world have for Oasis and their songs. It reminded me once again of just how great the band is and made me think, “This is what music is all about.”

In the following sections, I’ll take a closer look at the film, including an overview and my impressions of the experience on the day.

Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger — A Two-Week Limited Theatrical Release

This live documentary follows Oasis on their world tour, Oasis Live ’25, following their reunion 15 years after the band effectively split up in 2009.

From July to November 2025, the band played a total of 41 shows across the UK, Ireland, North America, Asia, Australia, and South America. The tour became a genuine social phenomenon, drawing approximately 100,000 people to their two shows at Tokyo Dome alone.

In addition to footage of the wildly enthusiastic crowds, rehearsals, and behind-the-scenes access backstage, the film features rare interview footage of Noel and Liam sitting down together for the first time in around 20 years. It was conceived and produced by Steven Knight, the screenwriter behind the TV drama Peaky Blinders, and directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace, known for the Blur documentary No Distance Left to Run, among other works.

Experiencing Oasis in High-Quality Sound!

In Japan, the film opened on Friday, September 11, 2026, for a two-week limited theatrical run. I was sure tickets would be in extremely high demand, so I had my phone ready just before reservations opened and managed to secure a ticket. I chose a Dolby Atmos screening, which cost more than a regular ticket, but the theater was still completely sold out—presumably because so many people wanted to experience that sound quality (This was a Saturday midday screening in Tokyo, on the second day of the film’s release).

The first thing that surprised me when I arrived was how many people were wearing Oasis T-shirts! It was my first time seeing a music-related film at a movie theater, and I was amazed by the sight. I had also arrived quite early to buy merchandise, but as expected, almost everything was sold out. I managed to get a poster, which was about all that was left, and headed home.

My Impressions of the Film (The following section discusses the film’s content)

I had imagined that the film would consist of one live performance after another. However, as mentioned earlier, it takes the form of a documentary, with rehearsals, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews featuring both brothers interspersed throughout. Just getting to see the band rehearsing was such a rare treat, and I loved every minute of it. Alongside the excitement of their shows around the world, the film carefully highlights how deeply fans feel connected to the songs. It opens with the tense atmosphere of the rehearsals leading up to the reunion, then transitions into footage from the world tour.

● Unchanged Liam’s Voice

What surprised me most was Liam’s singing voice. I was amazed that his one-of-a-kind voice sounded exactly as it had back then, with virtually no change at all. Apparently, for the past few years, Liam has been taking much better care of himself, cutting back on alcohol and other unhealthy habits and incorporating running into his routine as part of a thorough effort to look after his voice and body.

● Reconciliation and Forgiveness Begin on Stage

Throughout the film, forgiveness also emerges as a major theme. I was genuinely surprised to see Liam and Noel hugging and even holding hands. The film reveals that after 15 years of being completely estranged and having no contact whatsoever, they have now reached a point where they send each other silly messages. It captures a genuine bond between them that goes beyond words, forged through music.

● As Many Oasis Stories as There Are Fans

What I found most wonderful about this film was how it shines a spotlight not on famous music critics or other industry insiders, but on the voices of ordinary fans around the world. People of different nationalities, ages, and living circumstances appear on screen, each sharing their love for Oasis from their own perspective.

There is a scene in which Noel says that when you write a song, someone else takes it and incorporates it into their own life—and that this is exactly what a songwriter hopes for. The songs pass into the hands of fans and become intertwined with their individual memories. That is why he also remarks that songs he wrote years ago now sound as though they have an entirely different meaning.

● Music Passed Down Across Generations

I wasn’t part of the generation that followed Oasis in real time during their heyday. I discovered their music after the band had split up, but when I listen to their songs, they bring to mind landscapes, seasons, and memories that are uniquely my own. That’s why I was so happy to see that Oasis hasn’t become conservative or closed off, but continues to welcome fans of every generation.

As people have noted when discussing the audiences at movie theaters and live shows, the crowds weren’t made up solely of fans from the band’s prime years. There were also plenty of children brought along by their parents, as well as teenagers and people in their twenties. I love listening to older music, but I often find myself thinking, “I wish I’d been alive back then.” This film reminded me once again that even after all this time, these songs haven’t lost their magic and can resonate with anyone, regardless of generation. One of the film’s greatest highlights is seeing how music born in the ’90s reaches young people 30 years later, and how it continues to be passed down from parents to their children.

Conclusion

Since this was a comeback tour, the band performed plenty of their classic anthems from their heyday. As a result, it made for a live show and film that longtime hardcore fans could fully enjoy, of course, but also one that anyone familiar with even a few of their best-known songs could get swept up in.
If you know their famous songs but have never seen them perform live, this is a film I’d especially encourage you to check out.

● Postscript

I still hadn’t had my fill of Oasis merchandise, so after seeing the film, I headed straight to the merchandise shop (the Souvenir Shop) at 109 Cinemas Premium Shinjuku, located inside Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. They have Oasis-related merchandise and displays that you won’t find at a regular movie theater, so if you’re interested, I highly recommend stopping by there as well!