Best Electronic Dance Music Documentary
Contents
Looking for a great electronic dance music documentary? Check out our list of the best ones out there!
What is Electronic Dance Music?
Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. EDM is generally produced for playback by disc jockeys who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix, by segueing from one recording to another.
Origins
Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. It is generally produced for playback by DJs who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix, by segueing from one recording to another.
EDM producers also perform their music live in a concert or festival setting in what is sometimes called a live PA. In Europe and North America, EDM is more commonly called simply “dance music”, or simply “dance”.
During the 1980s and early 1990s, following the emergence of raving, pirate radio, acid house and techno music as major forces in club culture and popular music, a number of electronic dance genres emerged, often fusing elements of rock, hip hop and disco.
Characteristics
There are certain characteristics common to most EDM genres. These include a consistent 4/4 time signature, a tempo of 120-150 beats per minute, and repetitive structures. Music journalist Simon Reynolds argues that the common characteristic of all EDM genres is that they foreground “mechanical rhythm” generated by electronic drums and sequencers: “the pulse—the thud of the kick drum every four beats—groups dancers together and functions as the metronome for the music’s entire duration”. Reynolds claims that while four-on-the-floor is almost universal in electronic dance music, some EDM subgenres deviate from this: breakbeat hardcore developed backbeats with syncopated lead drums in counterpoint to the four on-the-floor rhythm; techno developed complex polyrhythmic structures built around a backbeat that frequently shifted up or down in tempo.
The Rise of EDM
You might be surprised to know that electronic dance music is one of the fastest growing genres in the world. In the past few years, EDM has exploded in popularity and is now being enjoyed by people of all ages. If you’re a fan of EDM, then you’ll definitely want to check out this documentary.
1990s – early 2000s
The 1990s saw the rise of electronic dance music (EDM) and the early 2000s was the golden age for the genre. This documentary looks at how EDM became one of the biggest musical genres in the world. Featuring interviews with some of the biggest names in EDM, this is a must-watch for any fan of dance music.
2010s – present
In the 2010s, EDM achieved widespread mainstream success. This was facilitated by the rise of social media platforms such as SoundCloud and YouTube, as well as streaming services such as Spotify. Major festivals such as Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland also became increasingly popular during this decade. In the United States, Chicago’s Spring Awakening and New York’s Electric Zoo became leading EDM festivals, while in Europe, Tomorrowland and Ultra Europe achieved similar success.
Best EDM Documentary
“EDM” refers to electronic dance music, a style of music that is made specifically for dancing. This genre of music has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and there are now countless EDM festivals being held all over the world. If you’re a fan of EDM, then you’ll definitely want to check out one of these documentaries.
What to Look for in an EDM Documentary
An Electronic Dance Music (EDM) documentary should take you on a journey that is both informative and entertaining. The best EDM documentaries will educate you on the history of the genre while also providing an inside look at the making of the music and the culture surrounding it. Here are some things to look for when choosing an EDM documentary:
-A well-crafted story that takes you through the history of EDM music and the culture surrounding it
-Exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in EDM, including producers, DJs, and industry insiders
-Behind-the-scenes footage of live events and music festivals
-Stunning graphics and visuals that bring the story to life
-A soundtrack featuring some of the biggest hits in EDM history
Whether you’re a diehard fan of electronic dance music or simply curious about its origins, these documentaries offer a captivating look at one of the most popular genres in the world.
“Raving Iran”
“Raving Iran”, a 2016 documentary film by Iranian-Dutch filmmaker Arash Love, tells the story of two young Iranian DJs, Anoosh and Arash, who risk imprisonment by the Iranian government for producing and performing Electronic Dance Music (EDM). The film follows the duo as they travel from their home in Tehran to perform at underground clubs in the city, and ultimately to Berlin, Germany for an international DJ competition. “Raving Iran” provides a rare glimpse into the underground music scene in Iran, and the challenges faced by its participants.
“Under the Electric Sky”
Under the Electric Sky is a 2014 American documentary film directed by Dan O’Meara and Paul Bottomer about the electronic dance music culture, particularly the subculture of people who attend the annual Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The film features interviews with several attendees of EDC Las Vegas 2013, as well as with Insomniac Events founder and CEO Pasquale Rotella, and others involved with putting on the festival. It chronicles the stories of several individual attendees as they discuss their love of dance music and their experiences at past EDC festivals.
Under the Electric Sky received generally positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of 73%, based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the film has a score of 61 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating “generally favorable reviews”.
“Tomorrowland: The Movie”
released in 2015, this documentary followed the history of the popular Belgian electronic dance music festival, Tomorrowland. The film was produced by Academy Award winner Bruce Hendricks and starred Dimitri Vegas, Martin Garrix, and Steve Aoki.
