That’s how Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead singer Karen O describes what it was like to step out on stage in 2000s New York – Ravenous fanaticism.

Inspired by Lizzy Goodman’s book of the same title, Meet Me in the Bathroom (Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern, 2022) is a collection of archival footage that provokes reflection, nostalgia and appreciation for the impact of music.

Set in the early 2000s in New York, it traces the rebirth of garage rock, led by The Strokes as well as following the trajectories of era-defining bands like LCD Soundsystem and Interpol as they navigate the New York music scene at a time of political and technological change. Music is indirectly represented as the driver of togetherness and connection. As New York and America at large recover from the decade-defining disaster of 9/11 in 2001, the trauma, struggle and mourning was heavily counteracted with music, and the rebirth of garage rock was propelled into the world. As well as being used to negate the universal shock of 9/11, the film also explores rock in an era of social change; a generation’s endeavour for individuality, and a nation’s struggles with racism and sexism – particularly shining a spotlight on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O, her passion and dedication in the face of being one of the few female musicians in the scene.

With the entire film’s story told in voiceover, and visuals consisting of choppy archival footage, senses are heightened. Being exposed to the scenes of New York rock uninterrupted by talking heads, the film is in some respects confronting – leaves you no room to take a moment to yourself.

In 100 minutes, Meet Me in the Bathroom will leave you feeling simultaneously nostalgic, indulgent, confronted, and excited to get back into your 2000s Rock phase.

• Meet Me in the Bathroom is screening at Golden Age Cinema.
• Meet Me in the Bathroom by Lizzy Goodman is available now at TITLE.
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs headline Splendour In The Grass, with sideshows announced here.