At the 2025 Tribeca Festival, music isn’t just part of the story—it is the story. The festival kicked off June 4th in New York City, the 24th edition of the festival is turning up the volume with a lineup packed with music legends, pop icons, and powerful performances both on-screen and on-stage. With nearly 120 narrative and documentary features, plus concerts, immersive experiences, and special events across Manhattan and Brooklyn, Tribeca is making one thing clear: this year, music rules.
Music Takes Over Tribeca
The festival opened with the world premiere of Billy Joel: And So It Goes, a deeply personal portrait of the beloved New York icon. Blending rare archival footage and new interviews, the documentary follows Joel’s extraordinary career just as he steps back from the spotlight due to health concerns. The film premieres on opening night and will screen again on June 11th and 15th before heading to HBO Max later this year. “Billy Idol Should Be Dead” delivers an unfiltered look at the punk rocker’s past and present—capped off by a live performance from Idol himself.
And Billy Joel is just the beginning. “Depeche Mode: M” uses the band’s concerts in Mexico City as a framework for a haunting meditation on grief, mortality, and connection. The band will appear for a Q&A following the premiere. Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately? dives into the chaotic journey of Adam Duritz and the band’s rise to fame, while Boy George & Culture Club traces the glam-rock legends’ colorful, complex story.
Miley Cyrus brings something entirely different to the table with Something Beautiful, a pop opera made from songs off her new album. She joined audiences after the June 6 premiere to talk about the project and dive into the production of the film. Something Beautiful comes to theaters on June 12.
Fans of Becky G can catch “Rebecca” (a.k.a. Becky G), a documentary that explores her life, artistry, and cultural roots. After the film’s world premiere at the United Palace on June 12, Becky G herself will hit the stage with a special performance.
Heavy metal fans won’t want to miss “Metallica Saved My Life”, which explores the emotional and sometimes life-saving bond between the band and their fans. Director Jonas Åkerlund and members of Metallica will be on hand for a post-premiere discussion.
“Matter of Time”, featuring Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, is a touching solo documentary that ends with Vedder performing an acoustic set live. Meanwhile, Sun Ra: Do the Impossible pays homage to the jazz visionary, cosmic thinker, and avant-garde pioneer.
South Korean rock band The Rose stars in “The Rose: Come Back to Me”, a behind-the-scenes look at their music and journey, with appearances at several screenings.
In “Still Free TC”, rapper Ty Dolla $ign reflects on his creative process while his brother serves a 67-year prison sentence, offering a sobering contrast between fame and incarceration.
Whether you’re into synth-pop, punk, hip-hop, jazz, or K-pop, Tribeca 2025 is delivering one of the most music-driven, star-powered festivals in recent memory. With live performances, emotional documentaries, and appearances by the artists themselves, this year’s festival blurs the line between concert and cinema in the best way possible.
The Tribeca Festival runs June 4–15. Grab your tickets, charge your phone, and get ready for a front-row seat to music history on film.
