Staff WriterWith the Coronavirus situation continuing in Ireland, events cancelled, pubs and clubs closed, schools, colleges and offices closed and a potential lock down on the cards, we’ve dived into the world of electronic music documentaries. With many people now working from home or not going out, there couldn’t be a better time to brush up on your dance music history.
We’ve compiled a list of 13 of our favourite documentaries to keep you sane, busy or distracted during the quarantine phase, perfect timing.
Don’t Forget To Go Home – 2006
‘Don’t Forget To Go Home’ is a documentary based on dance music culture based in Berlin in the early 2000’s. The full documentary acknowledges the effect drug culture had on dance music.
RA: Real Scenes, New York City – 2013
NYC is rich in history with clubbing culture. The city is home to some of the most iconic clubs and record shops on the planet. Watch this and discover just how much an influence the Big Apple has had on the scene
Unchained, The Daft Punk Story – 2015
The entire story of Daft Punk is told in this hour and a half long feature from humble upbringings of playing in French clubs to 400 people, to working with acts like Nile Rodgers.
Paris is Burning, The Birth of Dance Music – 1990
A historic documentary on how NYC was iconic on the growth of dance music, how gay culture popularised electronic music and how the city added a brand new trend to the scene: Voguing. Experience the little -known architects of dance music and their amazing story.
The Richie Hawtin Story – 2014
Dive deep into the life of one of the biggest names in Techno, Richie Hawtin.
An English born Canadian who took massive influence from the Detroit Techno days, check out his story on how he became the face of Minimal Techno.
Sub Berlin, The Story of Tresor – 2009
The story of one of the world’s most iconic clubs is remarkable. Just watch this documentary and travel on this amazing journey through music. We don’t want to give away too much. Follow Tresor owner Dimitri Hegemann’s journey on how the Tresor conquered the clubbing scene.
Inside House Music, A House Music documentary – 2008
Featuring acts such as Kerri Chandler, Dimitri from Paris, Mr V, DJ Gregory, Franc Rodger, Frankie Feleciano and many more as they discuss Music Technology, the history of House, and other relevant social and cultural topics.
High Tech Soul, The Creation Of Techno Music – 1998
The story behind Detroit Techno and the creation of a new genre of music. This documentary follows the story of Derrick Carter, Juan Atkins and many more legends in Techno.
Soulwax, Part Of The Weekend Never Dies – 2015
Part of the Weekend Never Dies follows the Dewaele brothers performing as Soulwax and 2manyDJs at 120 shows across five continents. Aside from being a concert film alone, the film features interviews with LCD Soundsystem, Erol Alkan Justice, Boys Noize and more. The documentary mixes concert footage and snippets of life on the road using manic editing techniques. The film, just like its subjects covers a lot of ground and sounds in just over an hour.
The Story of the Street Rave – 1990
This documentary follows how the street rave began and where they all started. Follow the tale of the little-known people involved and how they changed the raving culture forever.
Sasha & Digweed, The Delta Heavy Tour Documentary – 2002
A documentation of the most important DJ tour to ever hit America. Delta Heavy was the groundbreaking electronic music tour featuring the extraordinary DJ talents of Sasha, John Digweed, and Jimmy Van M, who visited all corners of the States in 2002.
The Summer of Rave – 1989
Documentary by the BBC on the development of rave culture in the United Kingdom during the summer of 1989.
Pump Up The Volume – 2000
Probably the most well known documentary about underground electronic dance music. It follows the life story of the late great Frankie Knuckles, and features Shaun Ryder of The Happy Mondays, Goldie, and too many more to mention.