The best Netflix music documentaries and concert films: Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to Woodstock and Fyre

Netflix is treating us to a bumper collection of new British music documentaries in 2023.

Lewis Capaldi’s How I’m Feeling Now has already been a hit as the Scottish singer openly discussed his mental health and the pressures of his sudden rise to fame.

And later this year, Netflix collaborates with Robbie Williams on a documentary series and a film about ‘80s pop icons Wham! is released in July.

All these new releases join an array of concert films, historical music documentaries and TV series on Netflix - with unprecedented access to the biggest pop acts on the planet.

Here are the greatest music documentaries on Netflix…

1. Trainwreck: Woodstock 99

One-part historical music documentary, one-part horror movie, Trainwreck looks back at the nightmare revival of peace-and-love festival Woodstock in 1999.

Covering the events day-by-day, the film reveals how a mixture of frat boy culture (Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock are among the headline acts), rampant commercialism (over-charging for bottled water in boiling heat) and a how-not-to-do-it planning process, led to violent carnage and closed the book on ‘the Woodstock dream’.

Frequently jaw-dropping and horrifying, it’s a must-watch for anyone who remembers the era of skater shorts and MTV Total Request Live.

Watch Trainwreck: Woodstock 99 on Netflix.

2. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

One of Netflix’s most famous, memeable and talked about documentary films, Fyre is a shocking story about a luxury musical festival on island – which was all based on Instagram froth, celebrity-endorsed spin and a large con.

What should have been the ultimate event of envy-inducing lavish luxury, ending up being a cautionary tale about the age of social media, influencers and out-of-control venture capitalism. The festival’s creator and focus of the film, Billy McFarland, is a shocking case study in how bravado and front can easily fool people who really should know better.

Watch Fyre now on Netflix.

3. Miss Americana: Taylor Swift

Not only a candid look at the life of one of the world’s biggest popstars, Miss Americana is also a fascinating exploration of modern celebrity and all the misogyny and lurid tabloid media that involves.

The film, directed by Lana Wilson, covers Swift between 2018 and 2020, and captures everything – the wit, the vulnerability - that makes Swift such an endearing and captivating entertainer.

Watch Miss Americana now on Netflix.

4. Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now

The Scottish singer-songwriter is one of the most likable musicians in modern pop with his soulful tunes selling by the bucket-load and sending him into the Adele/Ed Sheeran stratosphere of fame.

This film reveals the young man behind Capaldi’s music, who has struggleed with mental health, neurological issues and the sudden pressure of being under the fame microscope.

Watch Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now on Netflix.

5. Biggie I Got A Story to Tell

A brilliant documentary about one of the defining figures of ‘90s hip-hop, I Got A Story To Tell is a must-watch for all rap historians and anyone looking for an insight into how Christopher Wallace aka The Notorious BIG became an East Coast icon.

A coming-of-age story told by the people who knew him best and with unprecedented access to his early work and family life, this is a fresh insight into the Big Poppa.

Watch I Got A Story To Tell on Netflix now.

6. Song Exploder

Hrishikesh Hirway’s hit podcast was given a straight adaptation for TV in 2020, choosing well known songs by popular artists and getting the creators to deconstruct how they were made.

The Killers, Alicia Keys and REM were among the artists to appears in the show’s two seasons of short episodes.

Watch Song Exploder on Netflix now.

7. Homecoming; A Film By Beyoncé

Produced by, starring and directed by Beyoncé, the biggest popstar on the planet offered the world a rare glimpse behind the shiny videos and dazzling live performances in this concert film.

The performance at Coachella is breathtaking, capturing a musical icon at the peak of her powers, but it’s the intimate glimpses of Beyonce’s personal life that are really gripping.

Beyoncé has enough star power to let her music do the talking and keep her private life private, so it’s really surprising for her to expose herself during a pregnancy and her build-up to performing live again.

Watch Homecoming now on Netflix.

8. Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese

Part fiction, part documentary, Martin Scorsese’s second Bob Dylan film (following 2005’s No Direction Home), covers Dylan’s 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue tour.

The film is a mix of tour footage, interviews with real acts from the tour, blended with fictional actor interviews – but the audience is never told what is real and what isn’t.

Described as a “celebration and rescue mission”, the New York Times declared the documentary one of the best films of 2019.

Watch Rolling Thunder Revue on Netflix.

9. What Happened, Miss Simone?

An Oscar nominated documentary from director Liz Garbs, which opened the Sundance 2015 Film Festival with its incredible story of the soul icon.

Nina Simone’s life story and journey to becoming recognised as a musical genius and black power icon was groundbreaking and this documentary captures the essence of the iconic singer.

Watch What Happened, Miss Simone? on Netflix.

10. Quincy

Quincy Jones’ stats are incredible. 2,900 songs. 300 albums 27 Grammy wins. The mastermind producer behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller album.

This 2018 documentary, co-directed by his daughter Rashida Jones (The Office, Parks and Recreation) looks back at his astonishing life with an intimate portrait of the producer, composer and musician.

Watch Quincy on Netflix.

11. Springsteen on Broadway

The American rock legend took a break from selling out arenas around the world to take up a Broadway residency, performing a stripped back collection of his greatest hits and sharing stories of his life.

The Broadway shows were a sell-out (and quite costly tickets), so this Netflix film captures the intimate show and gets you closer to The Boss than ever before.

Watch Springsteen on Broadway now on Netflix.

12. Jennifer Lopez Halftime

Lopez’s movie career appears to be getting a second renaissance after her acclaimed performance in Hustlers and upcoming Netflix thriller The Mother. This documentary looks back at her 2020, when J’Lo aged 50 (Yes, she really is 50!), performed at the Super Bowl halftime show and the original triple threat star reclaimed centre stage.

The film reflects on how Lopez went from the Bronx to global superstardom and the adversity she overcame on the way.

Watch Halftime now on Netflix.