[6][7][8] The film chronicles three decades of electronic dance music by focusing on the careers of Carl Cox and Martin Garrix.

[9][10][11] It also includes other individuals such as Erick Morillo, Moby, David Guetta, Steve Angello, Afrojack, Tiesto, Usher and Ed Sheeran.

[13][14] The documentary begins with Carl Cox who walked around the empty cavern of Space in Ibiza, the nightclub where he had served as resident DJ since 2001.

"[23] One reviewer notes that "as one watches WHAT WE STARTED, one of the striking elements which rings forth is the idea of "resiliency", and that "thanks to detailed research and a self-imposed mantra to remain unbiased in the presentation of the documentary, the filmmakers peel back the glossy layers of bright lights and enthusiastic concerts and delve into the darker aspects of culture that all but wiped out EDM prior to its rebirth and resurgence.

"[30] Uncle Barky stated that it is "a trip well worth taking, whether you’re a devotee of EDM or a neophyte..."[32] Radio Times called it "a decent, comprehensive account of dance music’s evolution.