REVIEW: Mogwai - If The Stars Had A Sound | Music Documentary Film

There’s something magical about Mogwai that’s hard to pin down. Maybe it’s the way their music feels like it's stitched from stardust and sadness, or how it manages to be deafening and delicate at the same time.

If The Stars Had A Sound is more than just a documentary — it’s an atmospheric journey through the soul of Mogwai. Directed by Antony Crook, the film offers an intimate, poetic glimpse into one of Scotland’s most genre-defying bands.

From the first frame, this film pulls you into Mogwai’s sonic orbit. The film tracks the band from their Glasgow beginnings guided by their signature blend of cinematic soundscapes and raw emotion. But it’s not just about the music — it’s about persistence, place, and the people behind the sound. There’s no rockstar bravado here — just honesty, creativity, and the grit that comes with decades of doing things their own way.

From the moment it opens, the film wraps you in atmosphere. Through rare archive footage, you’re taken back to Mogwai’s early days — grungy rehearsal rooms, dimly lit gigs, and grainy glimpses into a band that’s always chosen sound over spectacle. It’s raw and real, and it grounds the film in authenticity.

The storytelling goes far beyond the band. Sound engineers and producers lift the lid on the technical artistry behind those walls of sound — showing us just how much care and experimentation goes into making Mogwai’s music feel so epic and emotional. It’s a reminder that their music isn’t just performed — it’s sculpted.

And then there’s Ian Rankin — yes, the Edinburgh literary legend himself. He pops up to speak about the band, and as always, the man knows how to turn a phrase. His reflections add something special — a writer’s take on Mogwai’s mood and magic. Rankin said:

“Scotland has always punched above its weight, creatively. And I find the duality of Scotland - the loud and soft, the Jekyll and Hyde, in Mogwai’s music. Like warring sides of human nature.”

And coming from a master of words, it’s the perfect tribute.

But the real heart comes from the fans. People sharing stories what Mogwai means to them - the music that got them through grief, calmed their anxiety, made them feel seen. It’s moving, honest, and reminds you why we connect to music in the first place.

Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound doesn’t hype or dramatise. It just listens — to the band, the people behind the scenes, and the fans whose lives have been shaped by the sound. It’s beautifully shot, emotionally charged, and paced like one of Mogwai’s own tracks — slow, steady, and quietly overwhelming.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

MOGWAI: IF THE STARS HAD A SOUND will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital from 28th April.

FILM DETAILS

• DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Release: 28th April 2025

• TL;DR: Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound is an intimate glimpse into the band's Glasgow roots, creative process, and the impact its music has made on its fans.

• Director: Antony Crook

• Cast: Stuart Braithwaite, Barry Burns, Dominic Aitchison, and Martin Bulloch

• Genres: Documentary, Music

• Run time: 92 Minutes

• Cert: 15

📸 Strike Media Ltd