Music and movies are the perfect partnership…
Whether it’s the deeply dug soundtrack selections of Tarantino, the emotional OST string surges of Hans Zimmer or actual films about music, the two go hand in hand so sweetly they make peanut butter and jelly look like a couple on the precipice of divorce.
What with the release of Eden last month and the release of the Zac Efron-fronted We Are Your Friends this month, it’s a great time for dance music on the big screen. To celebrate, here are six of the best dance music movies… From live concerts to tongue-in-cheek 90s British parodies, each one of them is worthy of your peepers when you’re enjoying a moment’s post-party down time this summer
Human Traffic (1999)
This British classic celebrated everything about the 90s dance scene with the story of five friends out for one mad weekend in Cardiff. Featuring artists from that golden era such as Dillinja, Carl Cox, Fatboy Slim and Orbital, the cult film also starred John Simm and Danny Dyer… Before he became a parody of himself.
Kevin & Perry Go Large (2000)
So bad it’s actually pretty good: follow two British 15 year olds on their quest to travel to Ibiza, become superstar DJs and lose their virginity. Based on Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke’s longstanding sketch characters from the 90s, it’s as terminally British as it is dated. Still a good laugh, though.
24 Hour Party People (2002)
The 2002 drama-comedy follows the true story of Factory Records founder/all-round maverick Tony Wilson (played by Steve Coogan, who’s best known for creating and being Alan Partridge). Watch as the humble beginnings of UK rave-culture begin to unravel at a rate of knots with the likes of Joy Division, New Order and the legendary Hacienda nightclub.
Interstella 5555 (2003)
Not exactly a proper film per-se, more like an extended music video that puts Daft Punk’s classic album Discovery against an animated story that plays out in sync with the music. The film contains no dialogue, and very minimal sound effects – resulting in a Daft Punk produced experience that’s like no other.
It’s All Gone Pete Tong (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGsCzaI5qrM
Telling the tragic, fictional story of Frankie Wilde – a DJ that loses his hearing whilst recording his latest album in Ibiza. It’s part comedy, part heartwarming drama and all fun. The film features guest appearances from Tiesto, Pete Tong, Paul van Dyk and more.
Don’t Think (2012)
(Pictured) Recorded at Fuji Rock 2011 with a plethora of cameras positioned behind, on top, in front and besides Tom and Ed (plus a few deep inside the crowd), Don’t Think captures the insanity that is The Chemical Brothers live. If you’ve seen them perform, you’ll know exactly what level of audio/visual crazy we’re talking here: Immense visuals, killer sounds and all perspectives covered. This is one of the best electronic music live concert movies ever created.
Still hungry for films? Check our interview with Eden writer Sven Hansen-Love…
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