Oasis Documentary Directors Reveal Emotionless 15-Year Reunion of Gallagher Brothers

Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern, known for their music documentaries “Shut Up and Play the Hits” and “Meet Me in the Bathroom,” are set to premiere their latest work, "Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger," a Disney+ documentary. Speaking to Variety ahead of its Venice world premiere, the filmmakers offered insights into the highly anticipated reunion of the famously feuding brothers, Liam and Noel Gallagher, for what became Oasis’ record-breaking world tour in early 2025.

Lovelace described witnessing the band’s return to music after 15 to 16 years as "amazing," emphasizing the privileged view they had of the brothers reconnecting. However, this "privileged view" was intentionally from a distance. For the initial, seismic reunion and rehearsals, the directors deliberately chose not to be physically present in the studio. Southern explained this decision, stating, “We didn’t want it to feel mediated. We didn’t want it to feel like there’s an annoying camera crew running around getting in their way.” They were acutely aware of the sensitivity of the situation, given it was the first time the Gallaghers had been in a room together for a prolonged period in 15 years.

Instead, Lovelace and Southern set up camera rigs in advance and monitored the proceedings from a nearby, air-conditioner-less cabin during a heatwave. Contrary to many predictions, there were no dramatic fireworks or emotional hugs. Southern humorously noted, “It’s the Gallaghers, it’s not ‘Dawson’s Creek.’ They’re not gonna sit down and talk about their emotions.” The biggest surprise for the directors was the brothers' serious, "workmanlike" approach as they immediately began refining iconic Oasis songs such as “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova,” and “Live Forever.” There was no messing around; as soon as Liam arrived, they got straight to rehearsing the entire set, a process described as fascinating in its subtle interactions and lack of a grand coming together.

This fuss-free and dedicated approach was deemed essential for what Lovelace called "the serious business of putting on the biggest rock and roll comeback the world’s ever seen." Once rehearsals concluded and the tour commenced, starting in the U.K. before spanning Ireland, Canada, the U.S., Korea, Japan, Australia, and South America, their diligent fine-tuning paid off. Lovelace observed that witnessing this consistent effort day after day explained "why those shows were as good as they were. They put the work in.”

The concerts, particularly the very first comeback gig in Cardiff, played a crucial role in diffusing any lingering tension between the Gallaghers, despite jokes that they might break up again mid-tour. Lovelace revealed, “There was definite tension,” which only dissipated “until that first moment when the expectant energy of the crowds met the nervousness of the band. That was a real moment of alchemy.” This moment, where fans who had waited 16 years finally saw their desired event unfold, was described as incredibly special.

The directors also countered the cynicism that the reunion was solely an exercise in fortune-making, asserting that it became much more significant to the brothers. Lovelace recalled that while Noel seemed more reluctant and Liam more enthusiastic in the years of speculation leading up to the reunion, once they embarked on it, "they felt the weight of responsibility to the fans." It quickly became clear that it was a "feel good story." Despite initial tension and the possibility of things going wrong, the Gallaghers were "hyper-focused" on delivering "the best Oasis that we can give to the fans," demonstrating that the tour held profound meaning for them beyond financial gain.

The fan experience was equally paramount. Southern, operating a camera at every show after enduring the sweaty cabin for rehearsals, positioned himself "in and amongst it" with the thousands of singing fans. He observed an "overwhelming feeling that the crowd needed this release as much as they wanted it." He added that even the most cynical person would be moved by "grown men crying," indicating that the event transcended the band itself, serving as a moment of collective catharsis, especially given the contemporary times.

To capture the global tour comprehensively, a star-studded array of cinematographers was enlisted in each country. Lovelace noted the ease of recruiting talent: “Wherever we went in the world, it was like the easiest phone call to make: ‘Do you want to come and shoot Oasis next week?’” Renowned cinematographers who joined the project included Kenneth Branagh’s regular collaborator Haris Zambarloukos, Oscar winner Lol Crawley (“The Brutalist”), and Oscar nominee James Laxton (“Moonlight”).

The filming approach diverged from a standard show taping. Southern directed each cinematographer to "just shoot your experience of this show," encouraging them to prioritize interesting crowd reactions over static stage shots. For cameras on stage, the focus was on the narrative and the interactions between Liam and Noel, rather than mere guitar fretboard close-ups. This directive aimed for "really, really immersive concert footage."

With "Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger" set for Imax screens, the directors hope to fully immerse audiences back into the "glorious, bucket hat-wearing ‘Champagne Supernova’ summer of 2025." Lovelace expressed the goal: “We wanted it to be as close to the experience of being there as it possibly could be.” Southern even playfully suggested cinemas capitalize on the iconic 90s Mancunian headgear by offering "popcorn bucket hats" to top the success of "The Odyssey's" Trojan Horse popcorn bucket.