Have the ticket prices for that concert you really wanted to attend put you down? Or are you bored of listening to your favorite albums over and over again? Whatever it may be, there is a solution! You can immerse yourself in mind-blowing performances, conjure up some nostalgia, and listen to old music with a set of fresh ears by just enjoying a few music documentaries.

This genre of films has always appealed to music lovers, and their popularity continues to rise thanks to most major streaming platforms having the best ones in their inventories. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie and want to watch concert documentaries or prefer to watch a country music legend’s biopic from the comfort of your couch while using your Sloto Cash login to wager on a jackpot, there is something for everyone. Here are seven of the best music documentaries to watch today.

1. Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé

Most people don’t realize that specific events will become era-defining moments until it’s too late and it has already happened. That’s why most don’t keep records of these perspective-shifting events in real-time either.

Fortunately for Beyoncé, she had this foresight. Her faith in her vision for her Coachella 2018 concert materializing led her to document the entire process and execution of her headlining performance at Coachella. Directed with the help of Ed Burke and written and produced by Queen Bey herself, this documentary chronicles the entire process of bringing her performance to life, from the beginning stages to the end.

She wanted to ensure that her fans who missed the famous Beychella could get a front-seat view of this iconic concert. Beyoncé also wanted fans who attended the concert to relive the moment whenever they wanted to.

2. Woodstock

Woodstock was released in 1970. It aptly captures the joyful, chaotic energy of the historic Woodstock music festival held in 1969. Famed director Michael Wadleigh takes you to the farmlands that hosted this event in Bethel, New York. You’ll witness thousands of eager fans stream into the farmlands to get the performance of a lifetime from their favorite acts. The U.S. Library of Congress viewed this documentary as so pivotal that they had it selected for preservation.

3. What Happened, Miss Simone?

In this 2015 Oscar-nominated film, Liz Garbus gives Nina Simone the documentary treatment. Using rare archived recordings and footage, some of which had never been heard before, the director brings us into Nina Simone’s life and includes interviews with her friends and, most importantly, her daughter, Lisa Simone.

What Happened, Miss Simone? Tries to recount the life and examine the legacy of this influential singer and powerful activist in enormous complexity and depth.

4. Moonage Daydream

Released in 2022, this Brett Morgen music documentary drops you into the deep end of David Bowie’s experiences, offering you a different view of the world through the eyes of this music genius.

Morgen utilizes the video and audio from Bowie estate’s vast archive to bring you this sensational and sprawling cinematic experience. He combines them with old interviews, news footage, and performances in this prismatic rock epic so cranked up that it becomes a blast of visions and sound.

Moonage Daydream is deeply rooted in the rock star’s numerous metamorphoses as a celebrity. The film suggests that, above all else, David Bowie was a brilliant actor who sometimes assumed the role of an oddball rock star to shield himself from public scrutiny and entertain his fans.

5. BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky

Whether it is your first time listening to K-pop or you are a certified stan who wants to learn more about this phenomenon, this documentary from Caroline Suh about the recording-breaking girl group Blackpink offers a deep look into this genre and the group. The documentary portrays the first few years of the group’s journey, including their unique, rigorous trainee system and studio process.

Light Up the Sky focuses on each of Blackpink’s members: Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa. It highlights their distinct experiences and identities as they work together toward a common goal, forming a powerhouse quartet.

6. The Beatles: Get Back

The Beatles: Get Back is yet another masterpiece from the director of the award-shattering Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson spent years researching and restoring footage of The Beatles from an unfinished documentary shot in 1970.

After racking his brain on how to condense hundreds of hours of film into a single documentary, he decided to release an eight-hour series instead. The Beatles: Get Back tracks the band’s process of recording their iconic album, Let It Be.

7. Searching for Sugar Man

If you prefer to look for an amazing old album on the dollar rack, then Malik Bendjelloul’s Searching for Sugar Man is just what you need. The documentary is about the mystery of Detroit-based Rodriguez, a folk-soul singer-songwriter who was unfortunately unable to crack the most radio playlists back in the ‘70s but unexpectedly became a hero to South Africa’s anti-apartheid activists (he had never toured the country either).

Bendjelloul gathers fan rumors about who the singer was and what happened to him. Afterward, the director seeks the truth, unearthing a fascinating and moving story about Rodriguez and the transformations in the recording industry.

Take away

Film documentaries offer a unique and new perspective on the lives and art of artists you know and love. If you are looking for a weekend plan, these seven are the perfect documentaries to watch.

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