Music has a unique ability to move us, touch our souls, and tell stories. And music documentaries give us the opportunity to dive into the world of music and learn more about our favourite artists and their journeys.
In this blog post, we share our personal top 5 music documentaries. We (Rasmus and Chris) Our passion for music has led us to explore a wide range of music documentaries over the years. Our selected documentaries will take you on a journey through different music genres, tell remarkable stories, and present unforgettable musical moments.
From iconic concerts to portraits of legendary artists, our top 5 music documentaries will give you an insight into the magic of music and its ability to shape our world. Whether you are a passionate music lover, a film fan, or simply curious to explore new documentaries, we are sure you will find something interesting and inspiring in our selection.
So let’s take you on a journey through our personal favourites, as we dive into the most touching, thought-provoking, and memorable moments in music history. Experience the power of music when it merges with the magic of film in our top 5 music documentaries.
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Rasmus Kruse
Rasmus works in the marketing department here at SoundStoreXL and has built his musical experience through countless DJ gigs across Denmark over the past 15 years. Music has been a big part of his life since he was young, when he experimented with guitar, keyboard, drums, and later his own productions of electronic music. |
Rasmus | Top 5 music documentaries
1. Amy (2015)
"Amy" is a deeply moving documentary film that tells the story of the talented British singer Amy Winehouse. The film portrays Winehouse’s musical journey from her early days to her worldwide success. At the same time, it also explores the personal struggles she faced in relation to fame, the media, and addiction. "Amy" offers an honest and intimate insight into Winehouse’s life, her talent, and her tragic end. The documentary manages to move us deeply and reminds us of the dangers that can come with fame and the pressure of the music industry.
2. Searching for Sugar Man (2012)
"Searching for Sugar Man" is a remarkable documentary that follows two South African fans as they try to unravel the mystery of the disappearance of the American singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez. The film depicts how Rodriguez's music mysteriously became a cult phenomenon in South Africa during the apartheid era, without him knowing it. The documentary shows how music can have a profound impact on people's lives and culture. It is a heartbreaking and inspiring story about the discovery of an unknown artist and his reunion with fans who loved his music.
3. Woodstock (1970)
"Woodstock" is an iconic documentary film that captures the essence of the legendary Woodstock music festival, which took place in 1969. The film captures moments from the festival and presents live performances by some of the era's most influential artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who and many more. "Woodstock" captures the collective spirit of peace, love and music that was characteristic of the 1960s counterculture. This documentary is not just a recording of a music festival, but a significant historical event that symbolises an era marked by social change and musical revolution.
4. The Last Waltz (1978)
"The Last Waltz" is a magical documentary film directed by Martin Scorsese and documents The Band's final concert. The film features remarkable performances by The Band as well as guest musicians such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and many others. In addition to being a concert recording, "The Last Waltz" is also a story about the band's journey and their relationship with music. Scorsese's direction creates an intimate atmosphere, and the fantastic musical performances make this documentary an unforgettable experience. This film is a monument to one of rock's most iconic bands and their contribution to music history.
5. 20 Feet from Stardom (2013)
"20 Feet from Stardom" is a captivating documentary film that celebrates backing singers and their contributions to popular music. The film explores the talented women who have lent their voices to some of the biggest hits, yet have often been overlooked. This film provides insight into the world of backing singers, their professional and personal challenges, and their fight for recognition. With interviews and amazing live performances, "20 Feet from Stardom" gives us a deeper understanding of musical collaboration and the often overlooked role that backing singers play in the music industry.
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Chris Kleis
Chris is the CMO here at SoundStoreXL and has always been very interested in music and film. Through his musical career, he has, among other things, toured both domestically and internationally with the DJ group DØ CHEF DØ, which has existed since 2016. |
Chris | Top 5 music documentaries
1. Daft Punk Unchained (2015)
"Daft Punk Unchained" zooms in on one of the most iconic EDM duos: Daft Punk. The French duo who, in many ways, revolutionised the electronic scene with their anonymous masks, which made them mysterious. Their live shows set a standard for DJ live shows that many are still trying to live up to today. The story of Daft Punk is inspiring, unique, and interesting in every way. I often recommend this documentary whether you’re into electronic music or not—and it’s really beautifully made.
2. Swedish House Mafia: Leave the World Behind (2014)
"Swedish House Mafia: Leave the World Behind" is a documentary film that follows the successful group on their final tour in 2012/2013. A documentary that shows the group’s friendship and massive success, while also showing the darker sides of huge success and the balance between being friends and colleagues. I watch this documentary once a year and recommend it to pretty much everyone I meet. It’s a fantastic story, and the three members of Swedish House Mafia are really interesting and down to earth.
2. Avicii: True Stories (2017)
"Avicii: True Stories" puts the spotlight on perhaps the most successful DJs and producers in music history. Avicii was a huge inspiration for many years, and still is to this day. This documentary follows his career—both the ups and downs—and is a wonderful tribute to Tim Berg. His tragic death left a massive mark on the electronic music industry, and there are plenty of top-tier cameos from people who talk about Tim and their relationship with him.
4. Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry (2021)
"Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry" is an intimate look into one of today’s biggest artists: Billie Eilish. You follow her story, her close relationship with her family, and her journey with her first album. The album that won several Grammys and basically took over the world. She’s a pretty unique person, and I loved the storytelling and the universe that was built in the documentary. Billie Eilish is seriously cool, and I have huge respect for her and her brother’s craftsmanship.
5. Major Lazer: Give Me The Future (2017)
"Major Lazer: Give Me The Future" is a documentary that follows the successful group Major Lazer as they organise a free concert for nearly 500,000 people in Cuba. It’s more a documentary about the concert than about the group itself, but there’s something about Major Lazer and their energy that’s incredibly infectious. Their approach to music and live shows is so different and brings so many people together that it can only put you in a good mood.
Rasmus Kruse
Rasmus is in the marketing department here at SoundStoreXL and has built up his musical experience through countless DJ jobs throughout Denmark over the past 15 years. Music has been a big part of his life since he was little, where he tried his hand at both guitar, keyboard, drums and later his own productions of electronic music.
