EDM Documentaries and Concert Films of 2025 You Should Watch
Behind the glitz and laser lights, there is a story waiting to be told about electronic dance music, its movement, artists, and experts who work behind the scenes. These stories are rarely known, including everything from off-camera challenges, interviews, and lots more that come into the limelight with the help of documentaries. Below is a…
Behind the glitz and laser lights, there is a story waiting to be told about electronic dance music, its movement, artists, and experts who work behind the scenes. These stories are rarely known, including everything from off-camera challenges, interviews, and lots more that come into the limelight with the help of documentaries. Below is a list of documentaries and concert films you should watch this year.
Waiting For The Drop
The directorial debut of filmmaker, former The Wall Street Journal, Billboard, and The New York Times staff writer, and journalist Alexei Barrionuevo is a documentary tracking the rise and popularity of both electronic dance music and DJs, the difficulties in their path, and more. The making of his documentary spans a decade from 2013 to 2023, and features songs from deadmau5, Hardwell, Tiësto, Arty, and Ferry Corsten. ‘Waiting for the Drop: Rise of the Superstar DJs’ takes you behind the scenes to see off-camera unseen footage, backstage struggles, and key moments on-stage. It starts off with dance music in Ibiza, the Netherlands, and the UK in the 1980s and ‘90s.
The documentary later gets into its crossover into North America in the 2010s. Filmed at clubs and festivals, ‘Waiting for the Drop: Rise of the Superstar DJs’ sees appearances from familiar faces like Paul Oakenfold, Swedish House Mafia’s Sebastian Ingrosso, Carl Cox, Kaskade, Eva Shaw, and Nervo, among others. “EDM was a pivot point in modern youth culture, a time when Millennials, seeking something of their own, seized an opportunity to create a tribe. Crass commercialism infected that celebration as outsiders sought to profit. And the DJs and their enablers, long thirsting for legitimacy and cultural acceptance, leaned in — hard,” director and producer Barrionuevo said in a statement as per Billboard.
Kygo: Back at the Bowl
Kygo’s ‘Back at the Bowl’ concert film sees the star perform at the Hollywood Bowl as part of a world tour. Sam Wrench, who also directed ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ and ‘Billie Eilish Live at the O2,’ directed this concert film. The visuals for ‘Kygo: Back at the Bowl’ have been shot in 8K using 18 cameras. From rare behind-the-scenes interviews to performances with collaborators, guest appearances, remixed and remastered sound, this event was filmed keeping CJ 4DPlex’s ScreenX for its limited worldwide theatrical release.
It included immersive visuals for the 270-degree panoramic view. “This film allows the audience to experience the performance like never before — feeling as though they’re seated inside the Hollywood Bowl, interacting with the music and artists in an entirely new way. It’s a game-changer for how music and film intersect, and how audiences engage with them,” said Wrench, according to Variety.
We Become One: The Power Of The Shared Musical Experience
AlphaTheta, the parent company of Pioneer DJ, brings a follow-up to last year’s ‘The Evolution of Ibiza: Can the White Isle retain its legendary magic?’ In this documentary, Kikelomo Oludemi, a British-Nigerian DJ based in Berlin, hits the road in different parts of the world to speak to experts to find out “why people choose music as a vehicle to connect with others, appreciating it as a universal “language” that speaks to everyone. And how the human brain harnesses sound to evoke euphoria and reduce stress,” as per the description of ‘We Become One: The Power Of The Shared Musical Experience’ on YouTube. The hour-long documentary includes discussions with distinguished artists like Moodymann, KiKK, and Seth Troxler, and neuroscientists Dr. Julia C. Basso and Dr. Daniel J. Levitin.
Zedd – Behind the Scenes of Coachella
We all enjoy watching our favorite artists and DJs take festival stages, command the crowd, and transport us to another world with the universal connection of music, but we don’t always know what it takes to put on a show. Zedd fans, fret not! The German DJ/producer who has many hits under his belt, including ‘I Want You to Know’ with Selena Gomez, ‘Clarity’ with Foxes, ‘Beautiful Now’ featuring Jon Bellion, ‘Stay’ with Alessia Cara, and ‘Stay The Night’ feat. Hayley Williams took the Coachella stage this year, taking you backstage to see his rehearsals with collaborators, appearances from other artists and lots more.
Sound of a Dream
‘Sound of a Dream’ follows the life and career of British DJ/producer Lee Burridge. Directed by DJ and filmmaker Hoj Jomehri, this film has been co-produced by Unsound Films and Believe Media, best known for ‘Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd.’ From local venues to world-renowned stages like Coachella, Burning Man, and fabric, Burridge’s sound has made people move everywhere.
The documentary also takes a look at Lee’s incredible impact on the gritty underground club scene of Hong Kong in the 1990s. “Music has always been my way of connecting with people, and All Day I Dream grew from that simple idea,” Burridge told Billboard. “To have this story told on screen, and to share it at a festival that celebrates music culture so deeply like Doc’n Roll, feels quite special.”
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