One-off
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Director(s):
ROURE (Philippe)
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Producer(s):
ROCHE PRODUCTIONS, ARTE FRANCE
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Territories:
Worldwide.
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Production year:
2026
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Language(s):
German, English, French
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Rights:
TV, DVD, NON-THEATRICAL, INTERNET, VOD
Rough Trade is the story of a British record label that changed the course of music history. It opened in London in 1976, right in the middle of the punk movement. It went on to become the first independent label, with The Smiths as its first major signing, and went on to release albums by Pulp, The Strokes, and The Libertines, among others.
How did Rough Trade go from being a small shop to the equivalent of a major label? How did it propel an entire scene to the top, far from the prevailing industry standards, driven primarily by a desire to take the leap, the so-called “Do It Yourself!” spirit, independence, and a sense of community? By retracing its decisive influence, this film immerses us in the context that saw, in the late 1970s, a few pioneers pave the way for the meteoric rise of independent labels. Featuring special appearances by its founders, Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee, as well as Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Pete Doherty from The Libertines, and Jarvis Cocker from Pulp.