Rock music is roaring back. According to Luminate’s 2025 midyear report, rock recorded the highest growth among all music genres, signaling a significant resurgence in a digital music landscape dominated in recent years by hip-hop, pop, and Latin. Alongside this rise, the music documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin has soared to the top spot, reaffirming the genre’s enduring legacy and renewed cultural relevance.
The Luminate report, which analyzes music consumption data across physical sales, digital streams, and video views, found that rock saw a 12% increase in total audio streams year-over-year — the highest growth across all major genres. This surge comes after several years of relative stagnation for rock, which had struggled to maintain mainstream momentum in an age of algorithm-driven playlists and fast-changing trends. Now, however, it appears that nostalgia, innovative new bands, and savvy cross-generational collaborations are fueling a renaissance.
One of the most talked-about contributors to rock’s comeback is the success of legacy bands like Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Green Day, who have all released new material or embarked on global tours in the past year. Additionally, the rise of newer artists blending rock with modern sensibilities — such as Måneskin, Wet Leg, and Nova Twins — has brought younger listeners into the fold. These acts have found significant traction not only on traditional platforms like radio and vinyl but also on streaming services and social media, demonstrating the genre’s adaptability.
Supporting this trend is the booming popularity of Becoming Led Zeppelin, a highly anticipated music documentary that has captivated both critics and audiences since its limited theatrical release in spring 2025. Directed by Bernard MacMahon, the film offers an unprecedented look into the rise of Led Zeppelin, one of rock’s most influential bands. What sets this documentary apart is that it’s the first time the surviving members of the band — Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones — have participated in an official film project together.
Becoming Led Zeppelin combines rare archival footage, newly restored concert performances, and intimate interviews, giving audiences a deeper insight into the band’s creative journey and cultural impact. According to Luminate, the film not only topped the list of music documentaries in terms of viewership and critical acclaim, but it also helped drive up streams of Led Zeppelin’s back catalog by more than 18% during the first half of the year.
Music industry analysts believe that the dual success of the genre’s streaming growth and the documentary’s popularity are no coincidence. Instead, they reflect a growing appetite among fans for music with grit, instrumental virtuosity, and lyrical depth — all hallmarks of classic rock. Meanwhile, documentaries like Becoming Led Zeppelin act as cultural bridge-builders, introducing a new generation to the history and ethos of rock.
As 2025 continues, the outlook for rock remains optimistic. With more anniversary reissues, biopics, and genre-defying collaborations on the horizon, it’s clear that rock music is not just surviving — it’s thriving. And thanks to powerful storytelling vehicles like Becoming Led Zeppelin, the legends who defined the genre continue to inspire both artists and fans
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