IF THE STARS HAD A SOUND
Mogwai LIGHTBULB FILM DISTRIBUTION
Intriguing band; absorbing documentary.
Late in Anthony Crook’s captivating film, DJ and longtime champion Mary Anne Hobbs says that every so often, Mogwai “materialise”. It’s the perfect choice of word, because that’s exactly what they do: without fanfare or showbiz, suddenly the Scottish band appear with another instalment of beautifully intriguing music, Forever looking like four old school mates reuniting for a midweek night out at the pub, Mogwai really have let their work speak for itself. If The Stars Had A Sound is principally set in February 2023, when a most un-Mogwai thing happened: a race to the UK No.1 spot with their 10th album, As The Love Continues, which they ultimately won. This is cut with the story of their career to date, as well as the recording of the album itself in the early weeks of the pandemic. There’s old footage of Stuart Braithwaite thrilled to have been given a free box of singles, and the group sponsoring a local Glasgow primary school’s football shirt, as well as admirers speaking of the consolation their music provides.