One night at a pub, Liam recorded “Bold,” a song that took off and led to a comeback… of sorts. Never quite matching his Oasis days, he managed to connect with a small but adoring audience, and was even invited by Chris Martin of Coldplay (“What the f**k does he want?” Liam intones) to perform with him at a charity gig. This led to a massive performance at Glastonbury, Liam’s solo album taking off to the #1 spot in the charts. Yes, he walked off stage at one point due to a broken voice, but he still won the coveted NME award in 2018 – and is currently releasing a new album.
“…what keeps you rapt is that permeating, subtle feeling of sadness, of bitterness and regret.”
“I’m not doing this to be famous. I’m famous enough,” Liam says. “I’m doing it because I love music.” We see the by turns charismatic and arrogant rock star leading a healthy lifestyle: he jogs, he speaks against drugs and alcohol, he’s a loving father… “I want to live forever,” he says, “I don’t wanna fuckin’ die.” The filmmakers avoid scathing portrayals of his personal life – things like multiple divorces and Liam “shunning his daughter” are skimmed over – nor do they examine the root of the infamous sibling warfare (“He’d be happy to see me in the gutter,” is the one juicy tidbit we get from Liam. “I don’t need that f****r, I don’t need his help.”)
Instead, what keeps you rapt is that permeating, subtle feeling of sadness, of bitterness and regret. Whether it was an intentional choice in a “comeback” documentary remains debatable – but that’s what truly works about it, is its driving momentum. “[They say] you gotta be as good as Oasis,” Liam proclaims, “but Oasis wasn’t ever really that good.” Yes, mate, yes they were – and there’s a distinct feeling that he knows it, too.
"…I’m doing it because I love music."
