Big things are coming. This week, we got the first official trailer for the Wolf Alice rockumentary ‘On The Road’. We’re very excited about it, to be perfectly honest with you.
It got us thinking, Dear Reader. There are a lot of great music documentaries out there (like, a lot – at least ten, maybe even more). How would one know where to start? Well, we’re here to help. We’ve hand-picked a few of our favourites to get you warmed up and ready for the Wolf Alice rock-doc when it comes out on the 29th September. They’re just from this decade though – did we mention there are a lot of music documentaries out there?
The Libertines: There Are No Innocent Bystanders
Remember the other time the Libertines got back together, before the time that stuck? It was a short-lived but glorious affair that involved massive headline sets at Reading and Leeds festivals in 2010, and paved the way for their reunion proper in 2014. Filmmaker Roger Sargent caught the whole thing on tape, from the first press conference to those final bows, but it’s the tender, slightly bruised trip down memory lane – or rather, Up the Bracket Alley – that really brings the whole thing home.
LCD Soundsystem: Shut Up and Play The Hits
So, technically LCD Soundsystem called it a day in 2011. They did a farewell tour and everything. But as we all know, the ones we love never truly leave us, and LCD are back with bangers and everything is fine (please never leave us again LCD). Point is, about the time that they were riding off into the sunset LCD Soundsystem were also making ‘Shut Up and Play The Hits’. The film focusses on James Murphy’s desire to settle down as he faces up to middle age, and is a good insight into a time when it looked like there’d be no more LCD Soundsystem ever again.
Amy Winehouse: Amy
This is very much not one to watch if you’re feeling vulnerable, but there’s no denying it’s a brilliant film. Raw and emotional, the film charts Amy’s successes and struggles on and off stage. Amy’s Grammy win is a moment of triumph, but at the end of the day this is a film about a tragic loss. Bring tissues.
Kathleen Hanna: The Punk Singer
“Girls to the front” legend Kathleen Hanna gets the star treatment in Sini Anderson’s tribute. Stacked with interviews and archived gig footage, ‘The Punk Singer’ delves into Kathleen’s fierce principles and impact on feminism with her band Bikini Kill. The film also takes an intimate look at her life with her husband Adam Horovitz of Beastie Boys, and at the Lyme Disease which has put her out of action for most of the last decade.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: One More Time With Feeling
“What happens when an event occurs that is so catastrophic that you just change? You change from the known person to an unknown person.” ‘One More Time With Feeling’ was originally going to be performance film about the making of Nick Cave’s ‘Skeleton Tree Album’, but after a tragic loss the film took on a much darker tone. It’s stunning, but it will completely rip your heart out.
Patty Schemel: Hit So Hard
‘Hit So Hard’ charts Hole drummer Patty Schemel’s path through grunge, addiction, and recovery while also examining the sexism and social myths that block women from having the same opportunities behind the kit as men. The film pays dues to one of the most explosive drummers on the grunge scene with humour and clarity, while also providing that most treasured thing – a happy ending.