Upside Down: The Creation Records Story

Upside Down: The Creation Records Story is a 2010 British music documentary that unravels the tale of one of Britain's most iconic independent music labels, Creation Records. The movie features an engaging cast of individuals, including the label's founder, Alan McGee, as well as other notable music personalities such as Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.

Directed by Danny O'Connor, the documentary paints an intimate portrait of the rise, dominance, and ultimate fall of Creation Records, which is renowned for its major contribution to the indie rock scene in Britain between the 1980s and 1990s. Viewers are given an inside look into the complexities and struggles of running a groundbreaking music label, as well as the immense influence and lasting legacy of the artists it represented.

Upside Down is primarily centered around Alan McGee, who was initially a railway worker from Glasgow before his passion for music led him to start Creation Records from his bedroom in 1983. McGee, a charismatic and dynamic figure, provides engaging accounts of his experiences throughout the film.

McGee’s unfaltering belief in music that felt original and authentic led him to sign bands that were often risky prospects but who went on to redefine their respective music scenes. This includes bands like Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, and most famously, Oasis. All these bands, with their successes and failures, peculiarities and controversies, are discussed in the documentary, providing a fascinating reminder of a transformative era in British music.

The film also introduces the other key personalities involved with Creation Records, including Bobby Gillespie and Noel Gallagher. Gillespie, besides his vocal contributions for Primal Scream, was also an early member of the Jesus and Mary Chain, another Creation band. Gallagher, meanwhile, provides compelling insights into the label's biggest success story - Oasis. His candor, peppered with his trademark wit and sarcasm, adds a layer of entertainment to the film.

At its core, Upside Down portrays the relentless chaos that was the Creation Records story, framed by innovative music, drug-fueled parties, financial mishaps, and the flamboyant personalities of those involved. Yet even amid the chaos, McGee and his team managed to influence a generation and redefine British rock music.

The documentary features a variety of archive footage and rarely seen photographs, interviews with the major players, and even some animated sequences, which all serve to create a vivid and compelling narrative of this influential music label. The film's soundtrack, as expected, showcases some of the best music that came out of Creation Records during its 16-year run. This adds a deeply immersive dimension to the story, captivating viewers with the very melodies that defined an era.

One of the main highlights of Upside Down is its insightful exploration of Creation Records' ultimate collapse. The critical and commercial success of Oasis, which triggered McGee’s mental health issues and the label's financial difficulties, created a storm that eventually led to its downfall. It is a tumultuous and heartbreaking segment of the film that documents how the label's greatest triumph became its final undoing.

In its essence, Upside Down: The Creation Records Story is a powerful and engaging account of a pivotal era in British music. It offers a deep, explorative journey into the workings of the music industry, the challenges of maintaining an independent label, and the impact of creative innovation on popular culture. With its mix of humor, nostalgia, and honest storytelling, the documentary captivates not just music enthusiasts but anyone interested in cultural history and human narratives. It is a tribute and testament to the passion, creativity, and rebellion that defined Creation Records and the indelible mark it left on the world of music.