Arts and Music

Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution

From the basement bars of ‘70s New York to the peak of the global charts, this is the story of disco: its rise, its fall... and its legacy. Revelling in iconic tracks and remarkable footage, this is a powerful, revisionist history of the disco age.

Stayin’ Alive

54m 38s

Disco seemed untouchable by the end of the 1970s, but an incited violent backlash led to its demise. Dive into disco's underground return, where it laid the foundations for all future electronic dance music.

Episodes

  • Stayin’ Alive: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Stayin’ Alive

    S1 E3 - 54m 38s

    Disco seemed untouchable by the end of the 1970s, but an incited violent backlash led to its demise. Dive into disco's underground return, where it laid the foundations for all future electronic dance music.

  • Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now

    S1 E2 - 54m 31s

    Experience the pinnacle of disco culture during the 1970s, set against the backdrop of Black power and sexual liberation. As disco conquers the mainstream, Black women and gay men rise as superstars and icons.

  • Moving soon to WETA Passport

    Rock the Boat: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rock the Boat

    S1 E1 - 54m 39s

    Explore the origin of a global music phenomenon born among gay and Black communities coming together in apartments and basement bars in 1970s New York, where dancefloors became a platform in their battle for visibility and inclusion.

Extras + Features

  • Episode 3 Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 3 Preview

    S1 E3 - 30s

    Disco seemed untouchable by the end of the 1970s, but an incited violent backlash led to its demise. Dive into disco's underground return, where it laid the foundations for all future electronic dance music.

  • Episode 2 Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 2 Preview

    S1 E2 - 30s

    Experience the pinnacle of disco culture during the 1970s, set against the backdrop of Black power and sexual liberation. As disco conquers the mainstream, Black women and gay men rise as superstars and icons.

  • Studio 54: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Studio 54

    S1 E2 - 1m 59s

    Explore the opening of Studio 54 and the increasing demands for large-scale clubs.

  • Official Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Official Trailer

    S1 - 30s

    From the basement bars of ‘70s New York to the peak of the global charts, this is the story of disco: its rise, its fall... and its legacy. Revelling in iconic tracks and remarkable footage, this is a powerful, revisionist history of the disco age.

  • A Political Statement: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Political Statement

    S1 E1 - 3m 25s

    In 1971, New York City made it legal for same-sex couples to dance together in a public setting. Yet, while disco provided a safe haven for queer expression, the rest of wider society was still not as accepting. Discover how members of the Gay Activist Alliance (GAA) challenged the status quo one evening at the Rainbow Room.

Schedule

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