Get a peak into dance music and what goes on behind the scenes with insights from industry experts, artists, and community members themselves from our curated list of electronic music documentaries. Dance music fans get a chance to learn about the artists and their work, as well as the challenges, efforts and difficulties these artists or small music venues face to keep the music going. Below are some documentaries you need to watch –
To The Dancers: Blood, Sweat & Music
From director Susie Davies comes ‘To The Dancers: Blood, Sweat & Music’ to highlight Cobalt Studio – an artist studio, DIY venue, coworking and creative space at 10 Boyd St in Newcastle, UK. In the face of Brexit, rising prices and gentrification, Cobalt Studio is in a battle for survival and strives to cater to its queer scene and dance and music aficionados alike. “This story calls into question why we fight so hard to dance together in a society where the importance of art and culture is sometimes forgotten,” as per the description of the documentary.
Watch ‘To The Dancers: Blood, Sweat & Music’
Afro Nation: A Movement
One of the most esteemed music festivals – Afro Nation, presents a new documentary ‘Afro Nation: A Movement’ focusing on the music festival and the genres of music Afrobeats and Amapiano in Africa. It takes a look at the rise of the genres and also features interviews with Nigerian singer-songwriter and producer Burna Boy, South African producer Musa Keys and a leading name in amapiano, Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr, The Compozers, comedian and presenter Eddie Kadi, DJ Skyla Tylaa, Afro Nation’s co-founder SMADE, Camidoh, Nelson Freitas, and Kamo Mphela. Directed by Rita Guimarães, the 17-minute documentary emphasizes the festival’s ability to boost the artists on a worldwide scale and amplify the music and voices of Afro beats and amapiano artists.
Afro Nation: A Movement is available on YouTube
“Somewhere in Detroit”: Underground Resistance, Submerge, Techno and the Detroit Way
A documentary centering on Detroit’s Underground Resistance collective titled ‘”Somewhere in Detroit”: Underground Resistance, Submerge, Techno and the Detroit Way’ arrived on YouTube this year. Produced by electronic music instrument manufacturer Roland, the 12-minute short includes interviews with Underground Resistance co-founder Mike Banks and Wajeed, among other notable names in Detroit’s music scene. Viewers get a chance to learn more about the label, the culture in Detroit as well as its prominent Black figures in techno.
Watch “Somewhere in Detroit”: Underground Resistance, Submerge, Techno and the Detroit Way on YouTube
You May Also Read: 5 Amapiano Sets You Should Watch
Off The Record with HE.SHE.THEY.
Beatport’s Off The Record with HE.SHE.THEY is the second installment of Off The Record. With this 41-minute documentary on YouTube, Beatport enables audiences to get a closer look at the record label and international inclusivity party HE.SHE.THEY. The clothing brand and record label founded about six years ago has been curating parties for people of all walks of life, races, genders, sexualities, and identities in 50 cities across the world, and the documentary revolves around these events. The documentary also features co-founders Sophia Kearney and Steven Braines, the brand’s 5th birthday celebration, a recount of its five-year journey, its digital collection – KINSHIP, and more.
Stream Off The Record with HE.SHE.THEY. on YouTube
Movement
The 20-minute film ’Movement’ has been divided into three chapters and shines a light on the efforts, underlines systemic issues, and works of collectives in the Istanbul queer underground scene. Featuring insights from Y.unan and Nene H, the co-founders of Sirän, MX SÜR of the XSM collective, and Endurance, among others, the documentary highlights the importance of preserving spaces for the queer community’s underground club scene. With its help, viewers can witness and understand its fight for survival amidst issues such as racism, rapidly rising costs, gentrification, and commercialization.
Find Morph’s new documentary, MOVEMENT, on YouTube
Avicii – I’m Tim
A documentary following ‘Wake Me Up’ hitmaker Avicii is on the way. Initially premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, the 125-minute film titled ‘Avicii – I’m Tim’ chronicles the life of the Swedish DJ, producer, and remixer. His hits and enthralling sets have drawn fans from all over the world; however, tragedy struck the EDM realm when he died of suicide at the age of 28 in 2018. The new documentary features never-before-seen photographs, behind-the-scenes footage, as well as interviews with Nile Rodgers, Chris Martin, and David Guetta, and honors his life, work, legacy, and contribution to music as fans still miss the star.
It Takes A Village
Running a festival or organizing an event is not a piece of cake and festival production company The Fair is here to prove exactly that in the documentary ‘It Takes A Village.’ It highlights the necessity for more support for workers and what goes on behind the scenes while putting together a festival. “As an industry, we all work tirelessly to bring these events to life, something which we should be celebrating more often. We hope that shining a light on our amazing industry will show exactly why the festival sector not only deserves more support, but needs it – now more than ever,” states The Fair.
Offering memorable experiences and a wonderful time at festivals takes a lot of effort. Through ‘It Takes A Village,’ viewers can see the hurdles industry workers face. From El Dorado to Maiden Voyage, you can see on-site production of a number of festivals. The documentary also highlights the issues music festival organizers and workers are facing, including the increasing supply chain costs.
Watch ‘It Takes A Village’ on YouTube
Turn Up The Bass
On the occasion of the 20-year anniversary of the DJ collective Deaf Rave comes ‘Turn Up The Bass,’ spotlighting founder Deaf DJ Troi Lee, who illustrates the collective’s formation, prominent moments like the first time Glastonbury hosted them, his efforts and endeavors for Deaf artists, and more. It also features other producers, DJs, sign singers, MCs, and dancers from the Deaf Rave scene in the UK. ‘Turn Up The Bass’ came into being with the help of the Netflix Documentary Talent Fund. It has been directed by Ted Evans and is now available on YouTube.
Find ‘Turn Up The Bass’ on YouTube
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