In this article, we will explore some of the best music festival documentaries out there that capture the essence of what makes these festivals so special.
A music festival documentary is a film or television program that focuses on a particular music festival. Many are available on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
A music festival documentary may explore the history, culture, and atmosphere of the event, featuring interviews with past and present attendees, artists, and organizers. It may also include footage of live performances, or even an exploration of the effects of the festival on the local economy.
From Woodstock to Burning Man and beyond, these films provide a unique insight into the music, the people, and the culture of these incredible gatherings. So, sit back and enjoy the ride as we take you through some of the best music festival documentaries ever made.
Trainwreck: Woodstock `99 (2022)
Festival: A Documentary (2015)
Festival: A Documentary is a 2015 film that follows the behind-the-scenes action at several music festivals around the world, including Tomorrowland in Belgium, Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, and Sziget Festival in Hungary.
The film explores the culture and community of music festivals, and features interviews with festival organizers, performers, and attendees. It also touches on the environmental impact of these events and the efforts being made to minimize their carbon footprint. Overall, Festival: A Documentary offers a unique and in-depth look at the world of music festivals and the people who make them possible.
Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert (2020)
Last Hippie Standing (2001)
“Last Hippie Standing” is a thought-provoking documentary released in 2001 that explores the enduring spirit and cultural legacy of the hippie movement. Directed by Marcus Robbin, the film takes viewers on a captivating journey through the lives of individuals who were once part of the counterculture revolution of the 1960s and 1970s.
The documentary introduces us to a diverse cast of characters who embraced the ideals of peace, love, and freedom during the height of the hippie movement. Through a combination of interviews, archival footage, and personal anecdotes, “Last Hippie Standing” presents a vivid portrait of the era’s ideals, its rise, and eventual decline.
Music Is My Drug: Psychedelic Trance (1996)
Spark: A Burning Man Story (2014)
Spark: A Burning Man Story is a 2014 documentary film that explores the culture and community of the annual Burning Man festival, which takes place in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. The film follows a group of participants as they prepare for and experience the event, and features interviews with Burning Man founders and organizers, as well as attendees. The film offers a unique look at the alternative community and culture that has developed around the Burning Man festival, and the transformative power of the event for those who participate.
Woodstock (1970)
My Generation (2000)
My Generation is a 2000 documentary film directed by David Batty that explores the culture and history of the 1960s, with a focus on the United Kingdom. The film features interviews with prominent figures from the time period, including musicians, activists, and politicians, as well as archival footage from the era. The film covers a range of topics, including the rise of the counterculture, the Civil Rights movement, and the political and social changes of the time. It offers a unique perspective on the events and people that shaped the 1960s and helped to define a generation.
Psytrance: A Way of Life (2014)
Raving Iran (2016)
This Was Tomorrow (2015)
This Was Tomorrow is a 2015 documentary film that explores the history and culture of the Tomorrowland music festival, which takes place in Belgium. The film features interviews with festival organizers and performers, as well as attendees, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the planning and execution of the event. It also delves into the broader community and culture that has developed around Tomorrowland, and the ways in which the festival has evolved over the years. This Was Tomorrow offers a unique and in-depth look at one of the world’s largest and most popular music festivals.
Under The African Sky (2009)
It’s All Gone Pete Tong (2004)
It’s All Gone Pete Tong is a 2004 comedy-drama film that tells the story of Frankie Wilde, a successful DJ who becomes deaf after years of heavy partying and drug use. The film follows Frankie as he struggles to come to terms with his new reality and navigate the challenges of living with a disability. As he struggles to reconnect with his loved ones and rebuild his career, Frankie must confront the mistakes of his past and learn to embrace a new way of life. The film is a dark comedy that tackles serious themes of addiction and recovery, and explores the highs and lows of the DJ lifestyle.
FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019)
What We Started (2017)
High Tech Soul: The Creation of Techno Music (2006)
High Tech Soul: The Creation of Techno Music is a 2006 documentary film that traces the history and evolution of techno music, a genre that emerged in the 1980s and has since become a global phenomenon. The film features interviews with key figures in the techno world, including DJs, producers, and music industry professionals, and explores the origins and development of the genre in Detroit, Michigan. It also examines the cultural and social context in which techno music emerged, and the ways in which it has influenced and been influenced by other genres. High Tech Soul: The Creation of Techno Music is a comprehensive and engaging look at the history and culture of techno music.