The Wonder Years

What do Amy Winehouse, Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Madness all have in common? Their musical journeys all started in Camden, the gritty bohemian corner of North London where live music spills out from pubs and clubs crammed into a handful of streets. Generations of legendary artists have been inspired by their time in Camden and taken the stage there for some of their most important gigs. In this film, Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Madness all explore how they were made in Camden.

The original rebel icons The Clash were the first to put Camden on the map, decades later Noel Gallagher made Camden his home confirming his status as a rock and roll star. The Libertines moved in and started throwing guerrilla gigs from their Camden bedsit attracting misfits and mayhem. Today, Yungblud and Bob Vylan play sell out shows at the Electric Ballroom bringing their unique messages of rebellion to a new generation in Camden.

In the 90s US hip hop artists came to Camden in search of creative freedom. From the Roots to the Black Eyed Peas and the legendary Chuck D - each forged a love for Camden’s alternative music scene and Camden embraced their unconvential sound and style. For five life changing years, Oscar® winning Questlove made Camden his home, returning to the US as a fully fledged hip hop star. While Jazzie B and Soul II Soul brought Camden-bred creativity to the US and the world.

Dua Lipa looks at how her hometown Camden has shaped club culture, with help from Carl Cox, Nile Rodgers, Boy George, Norman Jay, Sister Bliss, Eliza Rose and The Blessed Madonna. Together, they tell how the fight against homophobia and racism broke down tribal barriers in music and fashion, creating spaces where anyone can be who they want to be. When these spaces collided with the birth of electronic music, the torch was lit for the UK’s love of raving, and for club culture.