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Everybody has heard of Miss Americana, Gaga: Five Foot Two, and Oasis: Supersonic… Yet, lists of “Netflix’s Best New Music Documentaries” keep including them. What about older documentaries? Documentaries focussed on genre and not person? Documentaries not on pop music?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Gigwise has curated the top 6 music documentaries on Netflix that you probably haven’t heard of before, but definitely should have.

Women In Rock (1980)

“I hate being called the best female singer, because I’m better than any male singer as well”.

Created and released at the peak of the Punk movement, Women In Rock captures women’s experiences in the Punk scene through interviews and performance footage from iconic bands such as The Slits, Siouxsie and The Banshees, and Girlschool. 

Prepare to be thrust into the centre of a raging scene without the nostalgic retrospective lens that makes more recent documentaries feel detached and clinical. With footage that hasn’t been recycled elsewhere, Women In Rock shows the struggles, triumphs, and somewhat dated opinions that makes it feel all that more transformative, raw, and real.

Watch this: If you want to know what it was really like.

Hip-Hop Evolution (2016-2020)

“All across America, free from preconceptions of what Hip-Hop could be or should be, DJs, MCs, and Producers were creating the future of Hip-Hop.”

This award winning documentary series focuses on the creation and growth of Hip-Hop, talking to the trailblazers of DJing, rapping, and production, also interviewing iconic acts such as LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, The Sugarhill Gang, Rick Rubin, and even Michael Jackson.

Hip-Hop Evolution focusses in-depth on artists who we often take for granted, chronologically illustrating how important Hip-Hop’s roots and legacy are. It’s visually and musically lively, and discussion about race, belonging, and upbringing provides a necessary garnishing of context, making the documentary both engaging and inspiring.

Watch this: For a new perspective on musical influence.

Song Exploder (2020)

“When I finished writing it, I think I said ‘I’m sorry’.”

Have you ever wondered what goes into making some of the greatest songs of all time? Artists like R.E.M, Ty Dolla $ign, Dua Lipa, and Nine Inch Nails spotlight one of their biggest hits, breaking down the inspiration, songwriting process, and intimate thoughts around it.

Song Exploder is a step above the hit podcast it was based on, as not only are we privy to individual instrumental tracks and industry secrets, but there is an added visual layer that lets an artist truly bring you into their space. Seeing artists in the studio, writing and recording your favourite tracks brings a feeling of awe that is truly hard to achieve elsewhere.

Watch this: If you want a really in-depth exploration of your favourite artist’s mind.

Punk In London (1977)

“We just got together and thought: right, let's change it!”

Captured at Punk’s peak, Punk In London is like standing in the eye of a storm, capturing the quiet intimacy of close focus on a moment, whilst knowing that the unsettled chaos of punk is whirling around just out of view. This makes it feel like you were there, hanging out backstage, and knowing that something big is about to happen.

Interviews with acts like The Jam, The Clash, and X-Ray Spex feel like chatting with friends, immediately contrasted by the rough and ready live footage of those same acts in their punk personae. Acts answer questions like it’s the first time they’ve ever heard them and contentious opinions are shared at the drop of a hat- Punk In London is an honest snapshot untainted by modern perspective.

Watch this: If you want to understand the people behind the music.

British rock (1979)

“The Pistols were one of the great Rock ‘N’ Roll bands… on record. Live they were terrible, but on record?”

If, after seeing Punk In London, you want something similar, consider British Rock’ Rare interviews, concert footage, and recording studio clips from The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Specials, Madness, and many many more depicts the blossoming of Ska, New Wave, and the Mod from their Punk roots. 

It’s fascinating to visit a perfectly kept time capsule with influential artists in their creative prime who don’t know what the future of music will look like yet, firmly stuck in the moment. Not yet jaded by a long career or invasive media, the artists in British Rock share whatever comes to their mind, which is extremely rare to find in music documentaries, creating casual, banterous interviews filled with laughter. 

Watch this: For a laugh with some of the biggest rock bands in history.

This Is Pop (2021)

“There’s nothing better than a battle between two bands who really f*cking hate each other.”

This Is Pop is a vibrant and quirky series, sharing the stories behind Auto-Tune, Britpop, Country going Pop, and more such as the power of Swedish musicians like ABBA. Famous songwriters, critics, and artists like Shania Twain, Hozier, and T-Pain reminisce and tell never-before-shared stories that make you think “no way?!”

Whilst perhaps the cheesiest entry on this list, This Is Pop is also the most engaging- its indulgently nostalgic, aiming to lead you joyfully down memory lane, and is the perfect pick for when you are doomscrolling, unsure what to watch next.

Watch this: For a light hearted journey through the pop-niche of your choice!

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More about: Best-music-documentaries