Oasis Reunion Tour Documentary Premiere at Venice Film Festival
Noel and Liam Gallagher brought their long-standing public rivalry to the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 5, 2026. The brothers appeared on the Lido to promote their new documentary, Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger, which captures the lead-up to their massive 2025 reunion tour. Despite the high-profile nature of the event, the pair declined to participate in a traditional news conference, opting instead for a brief red-carpet appearance that signaled their return to the global spotlight.
The film functions as both a concert record and a study of the Gallagher brothers' volatile dynamic. Their public disagreements became a central part of the band's identity, culminating in a 2009 backstage altercation in Paris that triggered a 16-year hiatus. Noel once described his brother as someone living with a fork in a world of soup, while Liam has frequently accused Noel of prioritizing his own career over the band's health. These tensions are woven throughout the documentary, which includes rare footage of rehearsals and their first joint interview in over two decades.
Historical Context of the Band and Reconciliation
Formed in Manchester in 1991, Oasis quickly secured its status as a pillar of British rock. Their 1994 debut album, Definitely Maybe, topped charts, while 1995’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? solidified their commercial reach. The documentary re-examines the songwriting contributions of Noel Gallagher, who penned hits like Wonderwall and Live Forever, against the backdrop of the intense interpersonal friction that defined the group's internal life for years.
When the brothers ended their hiatus in 2025, uncertainty followed regarding whether the tour would actually proceed. The tour kicked off in Cardiff, Wales, drawing a crowd of 60,000 attendees. Performances featured former members Paul Bonehead Arthurs, Gem Archer, Andy Bell, and drummer Joey Waronker. Reviewers at the time, including those from the Associated Press, noted that the band’s core sound remained as loud and sharp as it had been during their initial rise, effectively quieting fears that the long break had eroded their stage presence.
Filmmaking Approach and Future Distribution
Writer Steven Knight teamed up with directors Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace to document the band's return. The production team focused on capturing how the music resonated with a multi-generational fan base, noting that the demand for reunion tickets reflected a lingering cultural relevance. To maintain authenticity, Southern and Lovelace interviewed the brothers separately before the tour rehearsals and together once the tour gained momentum. This strategy allowed the film to track the evolution of their relationship in real-time.
Southern described the filmmakers' desire to remain invisible to the band during rehearsals to catch genuine interactions. The film also incorporates fan stories, including one instance where a chance encounter with a fan’s dog led to a featured segment in the movie. This focus on the community surrounding the band serves to ground the film in the perspective of the people who maintained the Oasis legacy during their 15-year absence.
Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger is scheduled for an IMAX release on September 11, 2026, via Disney. Following the theatrical run, the film is expected to be available on the Disney+ streaming service. This release marks the next stage for the band as they continue to navigate their professional partnership after a decade and a half of silence. The broader impact of this tour remains to be seen, but the documentary serves as a record of a reconciliation many fans once thought impossible.