Upside Down - The Creation Records Story (2010)

Of all the films that i adore, that I'm consistantly referring to on here, i'm surprised that i haven't proclaimed my love of 24hr Party People. It's my second favourite British film and my favourite 'music' film. It's hilarious, compelling, has an amazing cast, obviously the music is great but most of all, it captures the feel of the time (I assume) and moreover, captures the visceral excitement of new and live music. In considerable praise, i declare that Upside Down- The Creation Records Story is a worthy side-accompaniment, filmic cosmic brother/sister or documentary equivalent to that film.
Both films were practically cast from the same mold- both are true(ish) stories of wild and dynamic music moguls and facilitators, who fostered some of the greatest music this country has produced in the last 40years, lived every moment as well as they could and were relatively genial about understanding that it wasn't meant to last forever and fun while it lasted. As Tony Wilson says 'I am merely a narrator in my own story'; Wheel of Prometheus and all that.
There's even a hilarious moment in this film where Tony is interviewing Alan.
Where as 24hrPP is very much a Manchester story, Upside Down takes place on opposite sides - it begins in Glasgow and ends in London.
Alan Macgee, for a music promoter and publisher was metaphorically born with a silver spoon in his mouth, in Glasgow. He lucked into growing up with 2 of the most influential forces in recent British music, the Jesus and the Mary Chain and Bobby Gillespie, who began drumming for them before Primal Scream. After school, he got jobs where he could easily skive before moving to London. It was there, he began promoting gigs in pubs before deciding that was too much work and moving into recording these bands and starting the record label.  Gradually he builds up his stable with J&MC, then Primal Scream, then My Bloody Valentine and House of Love (who I'll whole-heartedly admit i'd never heard before this film and i still need to listen to Loveless) and Teenage Fanclub and Ride before the commercial highs of Oasis and the Furries.
At it's core, like any good story- the Creation Records Story is a good yarn, it moves quickly and if they miss your favourite bits... well, i'm sure they'll catch you on the DVD. Obviously I remember Macgee from being Oasis' svengali and indie-huckster during the mid-90's but i don't remember him being this enigmatic and entertaining, he's incredibly self-aware and a true delightful character.  Director Danny O'Connor made a reflection of exactly what this film was meant to look and feel like.
I was lucky enough to see a screening where Alan Macgee did a Q&A and he really is the guy from the film preceding, telling hilarious bizarre stories about the music biz. This is an ideal way for anyone to watch and a great journey to take vicariously. It's insightful and really funny. Perfect entertainment.

I watched Upside Down - The Creation Records Story (2010) at the cinema.
My 2011 in Movies will return with Cedar Rapids (2010)...