Watch Foo Fighters Sonic Highways

Foo Fighters Sonic Highways is a musical documentary series that premiered on HBO in 2014. It chronicles the journey of the band, led by rockstar Dave Grohl, as they embark on an ambitious project to record their eighth album, Sonic Highways. But instead of recording the album in one city, they decide to record each song in a different city in the United States.

The show's format is largely driven by a formula Grohl and the producers have hit upon: each episode takes place in a different city, and explores its unique history and culture, as told through the lens of its music scene. In order to do this, the band members research the city's musical roots, interview local musicians and music industry insiders, and even visit iconic recording studios and other landmarks to help them understand the city's musical legacy.

The series is not only visually stunning but also deeply moving, as the band explores the connection between music and the human experience. The musicians they talk to share their personal stories, some of which are quite moving, and underscore the role music has played in their lives. The overall effect of the series is to paint a vivid portrait of a country with a rich and diverse musical heritage.

Each episode focuses on one city, and features interviews with musicians and other noteworthy figures from the city's musical past and present. Grohl's interviewees include legends like Dolly Parton, Joe Walsh, and Ian Mackaye, as well as up-and-coming artists like Zack Brown and Ben Gibbard. Each episode culminates with the band performing a new song that they have written and recorded in that city.

As a viewer, it's fascinating to hear how the music scene in each city has been shaped by its unique cultural, political, and socioeconomic factors. For example, in the first episode, which is set in Chicago, Grohl discusses the impact of urban segregation on the city's music scene, and how the blues, jazz, and house music that emerged from those segregated neighborhoods helped define Chicago's cultural identity.

The episodes are also notable for the way they delve into the technical aspects of music production. Grohl, who is a producer in his own right, takes us through the recording process and explains how he and the band choose the equipment, techniques, and studio settings that will best capture the essence of each city's sound. This aspect of the show will be highly interesting to anyone interested in music production or the history of recorded music.

Ultimately, Foo Fighters Sonic Highways is a love letter to American music, and to all the musicians, producers, and other creative forces that have shaped it over the years. The show's focus on the human stories behind the music, and the way it celebrates the cultural diversity of America, make it much more than just another documentary about rock and roll. Whether you're a die-hard Foo Fighters fan or just a lover of music in general, this series is sure to entertain and inspire. You may even discover some new artists who become lifelong favorites.

Foo Fighters Sonic Highways is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between October 17, 2014 and on HBO