Oasis Knebworth 1996 (2021)

Directed by: Jake Scott | 111 minutes | documentary, music | Starring: Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher

When it comes to brit pop band Oasis these days, the mutual quarrels are mainly discussed. In particular, the sibling quarrel between singer Liam and guitarist/songwriter Noel Gallacher is widely reported. Not entirely strange, because their frequent clashes formed the basis of the apparently definitive end of the band. Yet the one-sided attention to that shadow side is somewhat exaggerated, because it overlooks how decisive their music has been for years.

With their first album, ‘Definitely Maybe’ from 1994, Oasis took the global charts by storm. In its home country of England it debuted at number 1 and remained the best-selling debut album for twelve years. Seven million copies were sold worldwide. With songs like ‘Live Forever’ and ‘Supersonic’ they brought the necessary freshness and swagger. Just over a year later, the band confirmed its talent with their next album, ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’. 22 million sold CDs, instant classics such as ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ and sold-out stadiums were the logical consequence. The highlight was the performance on a meadow near the English town of Knebworth. For two days in 1996, 250,000 visitors witnessed a band at its best.

25 years later, ‘Oasis Knebworth’ is an extensive recording of the concert. All hits and singles pass by piece by piece. And after a quarter of a century, that early work, with musicians in the shape of their lives, has lost little of its momentum. The raspy, but clean voice of singer Liam, including the quasi-casual droop in front of the microphone, the tambourine anchored in his right hand. The serious looks of Noel, always striving for perfectionism on his instrument. Their melodious harmony. The demonstrable pleasure of the other band members. Here is a band full of enthusiasm and self-assurance, at the peak of their abilities (their unparalleled confidence was no stranger to them, given their remark that they were bigger than God at the time).

Images of the performance are interspersed with personal outpourings from fans, connoisseurs and the band itself. That approach, although it may all be a bit much, ensures that you as a viewer stay close. The zeitgeist is also well described. The band’s popularity did not come out of the blue but was a reaction to the dark fumes of the eighties. It was the time of optimism and self-confidence. Those additional, often staged images are of a typical 90s MTV quality: colorful and quickly edited. It just adds to the enthusiasm.

Although Oasis released a new album in 1997, the solid ‘Be Here Now’, it soon became clear that the band had had its day. The frequent quarrels, often the result of excessive drinking and drug use, stood in the way of their live performances. The Gallacher brothers made sure they avoided each other as much as possible. The magic slowly crept out of their performances. Disinterest prevailed. The band muddled through for another ten years before ending the band in 2009. The concert relived in ‘Oasis Knebworth’ shows a band in which quality and joy are paramount. It is a memory that deserves to prevail.