AllMovie

A brand of documentary that showcases filmed performances of a musical band or stage troupe. Stylistically, musical performances (also known as concert films or rockumentaries) employ multiple camera set-ups, either all on stage or mixed with the audience, for the concert sequences and handheld photography backstage. Editing tends to be quick, trying to catch as much action as possible and mirror the overwhelming aesthetic of attending a show. If well-achieved, these films can simulate the experience of seeing a band live as well as offer fascinating examination and commentary on the nature and pressures of stardom, fame, and fanatical obsession. At their best, they can serve as seminal time capsules that capture specific pop movements, celebrations and disasters. At their worst, they act as nothing more than vanity pieces geared toward hardcore fans who only wish to see their heroes onscreen.