Music Film Events Coming to Theaters in 2019

Limited film engagements seem like all the rage right now. The latest band bringing their music to the big screen is INXS, who announced Wednesday (10/16) that their documentary ‘Mystify: Michael Hutchence’ will be coming to theaters for one night only on January 7. The film centers on frontman Hutchence in an attempt to get to know the singer through interviews and “new revelations.” Hutchence passed away in 1997 at the age of 37.

As stated, there are a lot of one-night-only music film experiences coming to theaters within the next few months. These upcoming films vary between concert experiences and documentaries and run the gambit of genres from rock and metal to K-Pop and R&B.

 Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the films headed to theaters this year. Here are eight to keep an eye out for.

1.       INXS: ‘Mystify’ won’t be the first special event INXS is doing this year. On December 9, the band will be bringing ‘INXS: Live Baby Live,’ a concert film shot during their 1991 Wembley Stadium concert, back to the big screen. The film has been restored and includes an extra performance that was left out of the original.

2.       Metallica: In September, Metallica played two special shows with the San Francisco Symphony to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of their historic ‘S&M’ concerts. Dubbed ‘S&M2,’ a film version combining the two performances followed, hitting theaters on October 9. The film became one of the highest-grossing global cinema rock events ever, taking in $5.5 million from more than 3700 showings worldwide. Due to popular demand, the film will be coming back to theaters for one more night on October 30.

3.       Lionel Richie: In 2015, R&B legend Lionel Richie headlined the famed Glastonbury festival during its coveted Sunday teatime slot. ‘Lionel Richie at Glastonbury’ captures that performance for the world to see. Accompanying the film will be a special introductory feature called ‘Road to Glastonbury’ with commentary from Richie, as well as concert and documentary footage. The event takes place November 19. Tickets go on sale Friday.

4.       BTS: Arguably the biggest group to come out of the recent K-Pop explosion, BTS has had special concert film screenings in the past. But those pale in comparison to what they have in store for October 27. ‘BTS World Tour ‘Love Yourself: Speak Yourself’ [The Final]’ finds the group simulcasting the final show of their ‘Speak Yourself’ tour to theaters across the US just hours after it ends in Seoul, South Korea. Theaters in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan and South Korea get one step better, the actual livestream of the event as it happens.  

5.       Bruce Springsteen: Even though Bruce Springsteen has decided not to tour behind his latest album, ‘Western Stars,’ that doesn’t mean fans won’t be able to hear the new songs live. For ‘Western Stars’ (the film), Springsteen decided film himself in a nearly 100-year-old barn with a 30-piece orchestra playing the album front to back. Interspersed with the performance is archival footage from throughout his career and new interviews with The Boss. Fans will have two opportunities to see the film in theaters, October 19 and October 23.

6.       John Fogerty: John Fogerty has been traversing North America on his “My 50 Year Trip” tour this year, celebrating a half-century since playing the iconic Woodstock Festival. The former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman will be bringing the tour to the big screen on November 11 with concert film ‘John Fogerty – 50 Year Trip: Live at Red Rocks,’ which captures his June 20^th performance at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.

7.       Lynyrd Skynyrd: Over the last year-and-a-half, Lynyrd Skynyrd has been crossing the globe on their ‘Last of the Street Survivors’ farewell tour, celebrating a more than four decade career on the road. Following its conclusion this weekend, the band will be bringing the tour to the big screen on November 7. The film captures the band’s September 2, 2018 hometown show in Jacksonville, Florida, what was originally supposed to be the final night of the tour.

8.       Neil Young: Last week, Neil Young announced the release date of a documentary called ‘Mountaintop,’ which chronicles the making of this upcoming album ‘Colorado’ with Crazy Horse, their first collaboration in seven years. The film hits theaters for one night only on October 22, just days before the release of ‘Colorado.’ This won’t be the last you hear of Young in the movie department, as the singer has 14 more in the works.

Over the next few months, a lot of top artists are headed to the big screen for once-in-a-lifetime film events. Whether it’s BTS’ livestreamed concert or Neil Young’s album documentary, there are some special music experiences waiting for you at the movie theater this fall. Keep an eye out for the events above and let us know which concert films you’re excited to see on the big screen.

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Find music from these film-worthy artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a range of genres to suit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CD, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Films About Fictional Musicians

The new remake of ‘A Star Is Born’ hits theaters this Friday, October 5. A retelling of the classic film, Bradley Cooper plays Jackson Maine, a seasoned musician who discovers up-and-comer Ally (played by Lady Gaga), making music and falling in love. The film is Cooper’s directorial (and musical) debut. Early reviews are positive, with critics raving about both the film and its music.

Of course, ‘A Star Is Born’ is not the only film in history to base its storyline around the musicians. There have been plenty of movies portraying the ins and outs of music and the music industry.  Some of these films take a comedic approach to the topic while others head in a more dramatic direction.

With ‘A Star Is Born’ ready to hit movie screens, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the other films based around music. Here are nine that feature fictional musicians as the main protagonists.

1.       ‘Singles’: ‘Friends’ before ‘Friends’ even existed, ‘Singles’ was the quintessential early 1990s young adult story, centering on a group of friends (some of them musicians) trying to make it in Seattle. Director Cameron Crowe based the film off the real life artists in the scene and how they worked to finance their music. Not only was ‘Singles’ about creating music, but it featured artists from the Seattle scene as well, including members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.

2.       ‘8 Mile’: ‘8 Mile’ is the story of a white rapper trying to make it in the predominantly black Detroit underground hip-hop scene as he tries to clean up his life. Based loosely on the career of Eminem, who also makes his acting debut in the starring role, the film was a massive success. The lead single from the film’s soundtrack, “Loose Yourself,” went on to win both Grammys and Academy Awards.

3.       ‘This Is Spinal Tap’: A comedy about a fictional metal band reuniting for an American tour, ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ became a cult hit following its release. The film has been lauded for its realism, with many people (including rock stars) believing that the band was real. Of course, the band did become real, releasing a handful of records and performing live together.

4.       ‘Almost Famous’: Less so about the bands performing and more about what happens behind the scenes, ‘Almost Famous’ comes at you from the perspective of a young reporter tasked with going on tour with a national headlining band. Based off director Cameron Crowe’s own experiences writing for ‘Rolling Stone,’ the film gives a real, if exaggerated, view of the 1970s rock scene.

5.       ‘Hustle & Flow’: ‘Hustle & Flow’ tells the story of a man trying to find a new life for himself as a rapper. The film shows the power of music to save people and change lives, as well as the struggle to be heard.

6.       ‘Blues Brothers’: Started as a ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit, ‘Blues Brothers’ finds brothers Jake and Elwood Blues (the classic comedic duo of Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi) reuniting their old blues band to help raise money to save the orphanage where they grew up. Based on Aykroyd’s love of blues, the film is mired in it, featuring appearances from legends like Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and more. Like with ‘Spinal Tap,’ the Blues Brothers become an actual band, releasing a handful of albums and playing live.

7.       ‘School of Rock’: ‘School of Rock’ is a comedy about a former rocker who impersonates a substitute teacher and drafts his class into becoming his new band. In the end, the class learns about working together towards a common goal. The story has become a modern classic, spawning a short-lived television show and a very well-received Broadway stage adaptation.

8.       ‘Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny’: ‘School of Rock’ isn’t Jack Black’s only musical foray. He and real life music partner Kyle Gass also starred in their own musical film, ‘Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny,’ a fantasy about a musical duo (Tenacious D) that goes on a “quest” to obtain a mystical guitar pick that will increase their skills. Tenacious D has released a couple of albums in the intervening years since the film and currently have a new animated YouTube series and album on the way (the first episode is out now).

9.       ‘Once’: The little indie film that could, ‘Once’ featured two artists who met while the male musician was busking and end up making music together. ‘Once’ stars Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who performed together as The Swell Season before disbanding a couple years later. The film’s signature song, “Falling Slowly,” also became a minor hit.

Over the years there have been a lot of films where music and musicians take center stage as the main characters. Musicians have been portrayed in both comedic and dramatic lights, in love stories and in epic adventures, all dealing with the music as a unifying theme. The latest remake of ‘A Star Is Born’ joins the pantheon of these films, hopefully doing the subgenre proud.

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Find music from these films and more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. From soundtracks to rock, jazz, hip-hop and more, we have thousands of titles in stock. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

New Music Documentaries Set for Release in Fall 2018

The first half of 2018 has already seen its fair share of music documentaries. These films have run the gambit in terms of watch-ability, from the acclaimed (Grace Jones) to the panned (Whitney Houston) to the controversial (Michael Jackson). While it’s nice to look back though, there are still a whole bunch of documentaries still to come this year.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves a good, informative music documentary. That’s why we are bringing you a list of some of the upcoming music documentaries still to come in 2018. Here are five making their way to a movie / television / computer screen near you this summer / fall.

1.       New Order: On August 13, it was announced that New Order would be releasing a concert documentary. According to Billboard, the documentary, titled ‘Decades,’ will feature the band preparing to re-stage their ‘So It Goes’ collaboration with Liam Gillick in 2017.  The documentary is set to premiere on UK arts channel Sky Arts on September 22.

2.       Ed Sheeran: Premiered in the United States during the Tribeca Film Festival this year, Ed Sheeran’s documentary ‘Songwriter’ is set for release this month. The film was shot during the writing of Sheeran’s latest album, ‘÷,’ by his cousin Murray Cummings, attempting to give the intimate back story of the singer’s life and creative process. ‘Songwriter’ will run for one-night-only screenings in New York (August 17) and Los Angeles (August 24) before it begins its exclusive stream on Apple Music August 28.

3.       Joan Jett: Joan Jett has had an amazing career in rock and roll as a founding member of The Runaways and fronting her own band, the Blackhearts. ‘Bad Reputation’ aims to tell the story of her rise to fame, showing that women can rock just as hard as men. The film will get a theatrical release on September 28, the same day it begins streaming on-demand, iTunes and Amazon.

4.       M.I.A.: A refugee of the war in Sri Lanka, M.I.A. has used her voice in the music industry to enact change. Her new documentary, ‘MATANGI / MAYA / M.I.A.,’ attempts to tell her story through family videos, concerts and music video segments. The film won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, so this will probably be the one to watch for upon its theatrical release September 28.

5.       Quincy Jones: Earlier this month, it was announced that a documentary about Quincy Jones would be coming to Netflix. ‘Quincy’ is being co-directed by Jones’ daughter, actress Rashida Jones, and will be taking a look at the influential jazz artist and music producer’s life and prolific music career. The film will be available for streaming September 21.

Even though 2018 is already half over, there are still many music documentaries set to be released this year. From docs about pop artists writing hit albums and backstage looks into live performances to those about the life and times of legendary artists, there is a lot to look forward to. Watch for the documentaries above and let us know which ones you’re excited to see in the comments below.

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Find music from these documentary-worthy artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles in a wide variety of genres to choose from. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Tribeca Film Festival 2018 Music Documentaries

The 2018 Tribeca Film Festival is in full swing. Running from April 18 through the 29, brings the best of independent cinema to the city for two weeks of non-stop screenings and panels.

Every year, the festival includes a bevy of music documentaries in its schedule. This year’s festival is no different, supporting a full list of thought-provoking musical films and documentaries. These films bring new and interesting perspectives to the stories behind the music. And even though the festival is half over, there are plenty of these films you still have a chance to see.

With the Tribeca Film Festival still in town for the next week, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the festival’s most interesting music documentaries. From stories about New York’s musical history to those pinpointing awe-inspiring artists of all genres, here are 10 festival films you can still catch that will leave you with a fresh perspective on music.

(Note: There was a Patti Smith documentary this year, but it is no longer being shown during the festival, so it was not included.)

1.       ‘Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes’: When Blue Note Records was founded in 1939, it became the foundation of the New York jazz scene, building up the careers of some of the most important and popular artists of the genre. ‘Beyond the Notes’ documents the label’s history and importance, as well as what keeps it so relevant in today’s musical landscape, through archival photos and performance footage and interviews with label artists past and present. (Site)

2.       ‘Cosmic Debris’: ‘Cosmic Debris’ is a short that, according to the Tribeca website, details “the friendship between animator Gabor Csupo and musician Frank Zappa.” (Site)

3.        ‘Mr. Soul!’: ‘Mr. Soul!’ takes a look at the late 1960-early 1970s variety show ‘SOUL!,’ which acted as a home for black voices in “literature, poetry, music and politics” at a time where those voices were nearly silenced. The film uses interviews with participants as well as archival clips of the show to showcase its importance and lasting impact. (Site)

4.        ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda’: Composer Ryuichi Sakamoto has led a musical career that has spanned multiple genres and earned him several awards. Director Nomura Schible followed Sakamoto for the last five years documenting the process of the artist’s latest work, an album inspired by the Fukushima nuclear disaster and his cancer diagnosis. Since the film has not premiered as of writing this, there is also still a chance to see a Q & A on Wednesday with both Sakamoto and Schible. (Site)

5.       ‘Satan & Adam’: Compiled using two decades-worth of archival footage, ‘Satan & Adam’ tells the story of the collaboration between harmonica player Adam Gussow and blues guitarist Sterling “Satan” Magee. The two musicians formed a bond in 1986 that transcended race at a time when New York City’s neighborhoods were still very segregated. (Site)

6.       ‘Songwriter’: Ed Sheeran collaborator and music video director Murray Cummings makes his feature film directing debut with ‘Songwriter,’ a documentary that follows the creation of Sheeran’s 2016 album ‘÷.’ While the film mainly focuses on the collaborative spirit of the album and Sheeran as a songwriter, it also goes into depth on how the singer got to where he is, using family home movies to give the viewer perspective on his childhood leading up to his massive stardom. (Site)

7.       ‘Studio 54’: A documentary about the rise and fall of Studio 54, this film uses “never-before-seen footage, period music” and interviews with co-owner Ian Schrager and former regulars and staff to tell the story of New York’s most infamous nightclub. This film gives the viewer an exclusive look at what made Studio 54 the place to be in the late 1970s and why its time ended so abruptly. (Site)

8.       ‘The Velvet Underground Played at My High School’: Running only eight minutes, ‘The Velvet Undergound Played at My School’ tells the story of the pre-punk pioneers’ first show. Taking place at a high school in New Jersey, the show preceded their work with Andy Warhol and Nico, showcasing what it was like to first hear the band’s groundbreaking rock sound. (Site)

9.        ‘Nico 1988’: Speaking of The Velvet Underground, ‘Nico 1988’ details the story of Warhol superstar Nico’s final years. The biopic, written and directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli, follows a drug-addicted Nico as she embarks on a European tour while trying to regain custody of her child. (Site)

10.   ‘Lambchild Superstar: Making Music In The Menagerie of the Holy Cow’: More performance art than film, ‘Lambchild Superstar’ finds Chris Milk and Damian Kulash (OK Go) taking pairs of participants on a collaborative musical experience. Participants get to experience what it is like to make a song within a fantasy world “replete with magical music-making contraptions, friendly animals and robots.” (Site)

Music documentaries give viewers a chance to see music and its creation in a whole new light. As the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival continues to bring quality independent film to New York City for the rest of the week, there is still a chance to see many new music documentaries and films, such as the ones above.

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Find music from some of these documentary subjects and more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide array of genres to choose from. Browse our ever-growing selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.