Madonna, Travis Barker and Frampton's Tribeca film premieres and how to watch at home
Melissa RuggieriFor the past few years, the Tribeca Festival has noticeably amplified.
While still a pedigreed film festival boasting anticipated premieres and reunions, the docket now also brims with marquee music documentaries, appearances and performances.
This year, the 25th installment that runs June 3-14 throughout New York City, boasts a tremendous music slate with icons including Madonna, Earth, Wind & Fire and Peter Frampton premiering music films.
“Each documentary, we're trying to build something around it, whether it's a performance from Earth, Wind & Fire with The Roots or a talk with Madonna around her new album,” says Tribeca’s head of music, Vincent Cassous.
But even with the surplus of music veterans, Cassous says he’s “100%” seen an increase in younger attendees (the festival offers an under-25 pass for purchase) and believes word of mouth via social channels has increased interest.
“Whether it’s a legacy artist or someone younger, you get to see the story of how they made that album like for Sara Bareilles or Mumford & Sons. And then the screen goes up and the artist is behind it playing and that’s a really special moment,” he says.
In addition to the music films – with many stars, such as Madonna, Barellies, Frampton and Katy Perry sticking around for post-screening chats – Tribeca has also culled a music video lineup showcasing work from Linda Perry, Jack White, Benson Boone and 5 Seconds of Summer. The fest’s Storyteller Series will highlight Finneas O’Connell chatting with composer Anthony Willis and Este Haim with writer/director Will Gluck.
One of the biggest spotlights arrives June 13, when Bruce Springsteen receives the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award. He’ll chat with longtime friend and fellow activist Bono, followed by a performance from one of Springsteen’s muses, Patti Smith.
“Bruce has spoken out a lot and sacrificed some of his audience and we wanted to create something big for him," Cassous says. "We asked Bono, who said ‘of course,’ and then we asked Patti and she was like, ‘Oh, I'll sing a couple songs.’ So that came together really easily. We’re obviously so divided (as a country) and I think music brings people together and celebrating an artist such as Bruce, that’s going to be a really cool moment."
He points to the Frampton documentary as a likely festival highlight and a “celebration of life” of the legendary guitarist and also encourages attendees to check out Magdalena Bay’s cinematic companion to the electropop duo’s “Imaginal Disk” album (premieres June 4, with showings June 5-6 and 8).
“I can't even put words to it. It's like sci-fi, but there's still a story angle to it,” Cassous says of the film. “I've never seen anything like it.”
Here’s a rundown of music offerings to check out at Tribeca Festival.
‘Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World)’
Directed by fan and historian Questlove, this examination of the roots of the iconic funk-pop-R&B-jazz outfit spearheaded by the mercurial Maurice White is a study in how legends are built and how legacy prevails. Among those lauding the “Shining Star” hitmakers are Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle. You’ll also finally learn the significance of the 21st of September.
Premieres: June 3.
When and where to watch: June 7 on HBO.
Madonna, ‘Confessions II’
It’s only a 10-plus minute visual work, but the cinematic presentation complementing Madonna’s forthcoming “Confessions II” album will be enough to incite fans’ never-ending thirst for new material. The short film is built around the first six tracks of “Confessions II” (out July 3) including “Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter. Jimmy Fallon will host a chat with Madonna after the screening.
Premieres: June 5.
Where and when to watch: Details to be released at a later date.
‘Mumford & Sons: The House Band’
The British folk-rockers are joined by Noah Kahan, Darius Rucker and Maggie Rogers on a train tour that celebrates their love of communal music making. Along with Mumford’s extensive catalog of strummy hits, expect to hear cover songs and witness “unguarded moments” among the musicians.
Premieres: June 12 (also June 14-15).
Where and when to watch: Details to be released at a later date.
‘Sara Bareilles: Good Grief’
On Aug. 28, Bareilles will release her first album in seven years, “Good Grief.” This documentary follows the recording during a six-day period in 2025 and, augmented by Bareilles’ trademark openness, expounds on the personal hardships and grief the songstress/actress endured the past several years.
Premieres: June 4 (also June 5, 10 and 14).
Where and when to watch: Details to be released at a later date.
‘Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear’
It’s been nearly 18 years since the caffeinated Blink-182 drummer survived a plane crash and the emotional scars remain. But Barker also wants to tell his story of going from trash collector in Laguna Beach, California, to respected drummer in one of rock’s most electrifying bands. There is more to Barker than his sheath of tattoos.
Premieres: June 13.
Where and when to watch: Aug. 13 on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
‘Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live from Paris’
Shot in November 2025, this full-length concert film from Perry’s delightful The Lifetimes Tour, captures her in all of her quirky, dorky, funny glory. More than 60 cameras were employed to swoop around the stage and arena as Perry hopscotched through aerial stunts, pyro blasts and more than a couple of costume changes.
Premieres: June 8 (also June 10-11).
Where and when to watch: Details to be released at a later date.
Peter Frampton, ‘Frampton’
In the mid-‘70s, there was no bigger rock star than Peter Frampton. And no more mega an album than “Frampton Comes Alive.” To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark live release, Frampton recounts his history in bands The Herd and Humble Pie before striking stadium-sellout gold as a solo star with venerated guitar chops and an inventive talk box. He’s also unflinching in discussing the degenerative muscle disease that has hindered his playing for the past decade.
Premieres: June 4 (also June 5-6).
Where and when to watch: Details to be released at a later date.
‘Trinity: The Story of THE LOX’
The hip-hop trio Sheek, Styles P and Jadakiss – collectively known as Living Off Xperience, aka The LOX – was discovered by Mary J. Blige and hit platinum status in the ‘90s with their debut album, "Money, Power & Respect.” But their story took a turn when they stood up for artists’ rights in ownership of publishing of their music and became a cautionary tale in the hip-hop industry.
Premieres: June 11 (also June 12, 14).
Where and when to watch: Details to be released at a later date.
‘Alejandro Sanz: When No One Sees Me’
The Spanish singer became a superstar after the 1997 release of his fifth album, “Más.” But a trail of heartbreak, loss, depression and industry battles followed his massive success, leading to a period of retreat and now, rebirth. Sanz says he now faces his new challenges with the help of his four children.
Premieres: June 4.
Where and when to watch: Details to be released at a later date.
Daft Punk, ‘Electroma: 4k Remaster’
Tech-heads are swooning over the 4K remaster of the 2006 science fiction film directed by Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, whose iconic costumes and hidden identity as musicians shadows this story of two robots who become human. The intent of the refresh of the film originally shot on 35mm was to replicate the original theatrical release from 20 years ago.
Premieres: June 8.
Where and when to watch: Details to be released at a later date.
‘Alicia Keys: Girl from Hell’s Kitchen’
Keys is a quintessential New Yorker, so her documentary makes sense as the closing selection for Tribeca. The film includes her sharing stories from her childhood in Hell’s Kitchen to her breakout music career to her creation of the Broadway musical also called “Hell’s Kitchen,” which ran for two years before now becoming a touring success.
Premieres: June 13 (also June 14).
Where and when to watch: Details to be released at a later date.