An impressive roster of music documentaries set to air on Channel 4

21 November 2013

Channel 4 Music has commissioned an impressive roster of music documentaries for the autumn season celebrating rock, gay pop culture and folk.  Plus there’s  an incredible line-up of gigs from some of the world’s most renowned and respected music artists.

December’s Rock Night will be introduced by music legend Alice Cooper who’ll be offering up his very own guide to being a rock star.  This special night of programing will include 50 Years of Rock Excess: Amps, Whips and Rebel Riffs; a documentary which tells the story of how The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath spawned the rock genre and the the excessive lifestyle that went with it.  Also featured will be musical talents Josh Homme, Andrew W.K. and Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward.

Continuing the rock  theme there’s an exclusive chance to see the Josh Homme perform in  Queens of the Stone Age at 2013 iTunes Festival.  Plus what is possibly the finest rock spectacle of all time Queen Live at Wembley 1986.

Later in December Queer as Pop (working title) details how the gay clubs and scene have inspired and influenced the music mainstream over the last 40 years.  This fascinating documentary shows how music has been influenced by the political and social liberation of gay men.  From the repealing of laws banning homosexuality leading to disco through to the David Bowie inspired New Romantics.

Nile Rodgers, Paul Oakenfold, Jake Shears and Erasure’s Andy Bell will talk through the evolutionary music scene spanning disco, new romantics, house through to Gaga, and beyond.

As part of this special night and continuing the theme of the musical glitz and glamour two incredible gigs from two superstar acts with roots in the gay scene will air:  Chic Feat. Nile Rodgers Live at iTunes Festival and Kylie Showgirl Tour London 2006.

More 4 will celebrate how Folk became cool. In Get Folked: The Great Folk Revival Ade Edmondson, Bob Geldof, Frank Turner, Jake Bugg and Billy Bragg  explain the enduring appeal of this music genre and why it’s recent resurgence is so perfectly timed.  There’ll be outstanding acoustic performances from The Unthanks, Jake Bugg and Newton Faulkner.

To continue the folk celebration More 4 will be showing a folk special from iTunes Festival that includes a compilation of the best folk and acoustic performances from this year’s festival with Jack Johnson, Jake Bugg, The Lumineers. As well as Big Easy Express, a feature documentary  with folk stars Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. 

ENDS.