Basically, no shows are taking place due to the coronavirus outbreak (although some artists are doing live streams instead), but if you’re already watching a show, or just need a ‘a brief distraction from the craziness of the world right now, luckily there’s YouTube which has an incredible range of live footage from all over pop music history, film clips from concerts, TV performances and live music. other professionally shot footage, to tons of fan-shot videos from shows. If you’re looking for a place to start, we’ve selected some of our favorites. Here are five more:
Black Sabbath in Paris, 1970
These days, concert footage from just about every gig ends up on YouTube or Instagram overnight or the next day, but footage from a sold-out Black Sabbath concert from the year they released their first of them classic albums is a real treasure. This Paris show was shot for TV, and the footage is a bit grainy, but the camera work is clearly pro and the audio is fantastic. The Sabbath was gods from the start, and this video makes that clear. [Andrew Sacher]
Shown at Night and Day Manchester, 2005
The shows were known for their pristine, sometimes clinical sound, but live they could be grainy and very loud. You definitely get the latter with this 2005 show shot in Manchester, UK around the time of their third album, Tender buttons. The garage and krautrock side of Broadcast takes the lead while the late Trish Keenan still sounds heavenly. [Bill Pearis]
Fleetwood Mac in Los Angeles, 1982
Fleetwood Mac’s classic lineup was a force even very recently (before Lindsey Buckingham’s messy departure), but back then they were even more unstoppable. They launched this LA show on their Mirage tour with “The Chain”, and they were on the fire from the start. They stayed pretty much at that level all night as they cycled through favorites like “Gypsy”, “Not That Funny”, “Rhiannon”, “Tusk”, “Go Your Own Way”, “Sisters of the Moon “, and more. [Andrew Sacher]
Jeff Buckley at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI, 05/19/1995
Jeff Buckley was taken from us far too soon, and especially for those of us who never got to see him in person for real (myself included), seeing his recorded concerts again is an absolute treat. I love that this 1995 video of Jeff opening for Juliana Hatfield in 1995 is a bit rough around the edges, save for his unearthly, pristine voice. [Amanda Hatfield]
Show me the body in Chinatown – 04/05/19
A year ago, New York’s Show Me the Body released their latest album Dog Whistle. They celebrated the release with a free show for all ages in the part of town known as Chinatown, in an abandoned storefront. The address of the “venue” was not published until hours before the show and once it was announced, the line to enter quickly wrapped around the block. The space reached capacity almost immediately, and those lucky enough to step inside witnessed what is considered one of Show Me the Body’s breakout moments. Luckily, for those who were left out, the show was filmed in its entirety by hardcore documentarian Hate5six and, as always, he perfectly captured the energy, rowdiness and crowd participation that have become perfectly associated with the SMTB broadcasts. When this madness is over, be sure to catch a Show Me the Body performance. [Nick Masi]
For more of our favorite live videos, head here.
