We’ve seen all the documentaries on this list, and they’re all worth watching. Perfect for those all-day hangovers on the couch. Let’s get stuck in!

1. Mensa Lord of the Rave

This is an old ‘90s rave doco about a former nightclub called ‘Sterns’ in West Sussex, UK. The club was largely promoted through flyers and word of mouth, attracting coach loads of partygoers from all over the country and even European visitors before closing in 1993.

2. The Summer Of Rave 1989

One of our personal favourites, this BBC documentary from 2006 discusses the development of rave culture in the UK during the summer of 1989. Not one to miss!

Transcript from the video: ‘’Great British summers may not come often but when they do people all across the nation start shedding not only their clothes but their inhibitions too and if summertime is party time the scorcher which was the summer of 1989 was one long party from beginning to end. 1989 saw young people were turning their backs on the rat race and throwing themselves into a hedonistic rush of new Music and new drugs.’’

3. Australia’s Rising Dance Scene: A Misunderstood Culture?

This was a good one from ABC, filmed in 2001…

Blurb/description: ‘’Every summer, an increasing number of young clubbers head out to raves and dance clubs. ABC Australia delves into dance culture to meet a generation defined by its own music politics, technologies and drugs.’’

4. The Art of The DJ

Blurb/description: ‘‘The Art of the DJ’ is the story of Steve Lawler’s rise to the forefront of UK underground Dance Music and an 80-minute journey into a career that has spanned almost three decades in the music industry. With help from peers such as Carl Cox, Darren Hughes, Danny Whittle, James Todd, and Ben Turner, and through Steve’s friends and family, we discover the path leading to Steve Lawler’s status as one of the most truly influential DJs of our time.’’ (2015).

5. Liquid vinyl

Blurb/description: ‘’This documentary takes us back to the days when DJ culture first began to revolutionize the dance floor in New York City and charts the evolution of an experimental outsider form into a worldwide phenomenon.

Taylor Neary’s dynamic film covers the growth of dance music from its early incarnations as house music, to the rave culture of the 90s, to today’s massive European dance festivals. It features interviews with dozens of the most famous DJs of the last 25 years—including Frankie Knuckles, Carl Cox, Goldie, Tall Paul, David Morales, Louie Vega and Tony Humphries.’’ (2005).

6. Carl Cox 24/7

Blurb/description: ‘’Carl Cox is synonymous with dance music. Considered by fans, peers and colleagues as one the world’s best DJs, Carl has become a living legend in the music business. His career has already spanned over 25 years, from the early days of rave to his continued success as a globetrotting superstar DJ. This is your chance to see an exclusive documentary covering the everyday life of one of the world’s most loved and revered DJs. Never before has anyone been granted this kind of access into Carl’s life outside of DJing.’’

7. In The Que: Celebrating the Que Club

Last up, this 34-minute doco explores the 30-year history of Birmingham’s legendary Que Club (UK). The venue was a former Methodist Church with seven rooms and a main area where club nights such as Cream, House of God and Atomic Jam were held.

The club first opened its doors in 1989, hosting the likes of Underworld, Run-DMC, Blur, Pulp and Primal Scream, with DJs Carl Cox, Pete Tong and Paul Oakenfold also playing at the venue. Again, well worth a watch! (released 2023).

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