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:
Joanna Newsom @ First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA, November 16, 2006
A few days after the release of his second album, YesJoanna Newsom performed it in full during this magnificent show in Philadelphia, with some songs by The milk-eyed repairmana die Walnut Whales, and an old Scottish traditional, “Ca’ the Yowes to the Knowes.” It’s a truly magnificent and transporting performance that’s well worth taking an hour and a half out of your day to watch. [Amanda Hatfield]
Joni Mitchell @ Isle of Wight, 1970
Joni Mitchell’s performance at the famous Isle of Wight festival in 1970 has been made into a concert film/documentary, and it’s a great insight into how she could have a gigantic crowd in the palm of her hands with just his voice and his acoustic guitar or his piano. Joni looked absolutely pristine on the Isle of Wight, and as it happened right in the middle of her prime, the setlist is flawless, consisting mostly of songs from Clouds and Canyon Ladies but also with a couple of Blue (to be released a year later), including a stunning, final rendition of “A Case of You.” [Andrew Sacher]
The Go-Betweens on “Rock Arena”, 1987
Australian cult heroes The Go-Betweens wrote some amazing songs but sometimes suffered the fate of Big ’80s Production when it came to their albums. Listen to them live in that era, stripped of much of that sparkle, and you can really hear how amazing they were as a band. This 1987 Australian television performance, supporting Talulah, is a prime example, with such stellar classics as “Spring Rain”, “Cattle and Cane”, “Bye By Pride” and “Right Here”. Pure pop magic. [Bill Pearis]
Townes Van Zandt “Solo Sessions” for Austin Music Network – 01/17/1995
“It’s funny about the songs,” says Townes Van Zandt. “Once they are written, they stand alone.” Van Zandt’s pensive elegance marks the two performances he recorded for Austin Music Network while supporting his final studio album before his death, No deeper blue. On both sets, he performs classics like “Lover’s Lullaby” and “Flyin’ Shoes,” a song he says comes from a “certain place” where he “spoke to the river” when he lived in the Tennessee. It’s a claim of inspiration that’s hard to doubt, as the ballads presented here about love and people both heroic and broken come from American history and his personal life. He details these backgrounds with intimacy, and as most of his recordings prove, his lead guitar, his poetry and his voice – a soft cry still softened here with age – are enough to enrich the air and the soul. . [Andrew Marinaccio]
Madness in Nottingham, 1980
Debuting as part of the 2-Tone ska scene in the UK, Madness had their own unique ‘nutty’ style which incorporated 50s rock n’ roll and English music hall tradition. Here they are at the beginning of their career, at the time of their second album Absoutely, but had already racked up five UK Top 20 hits. At the BBC TV gig, they played most of these – “My Girl”, The Prince”, “One Step Beyond” and “Embarrassment” – as well as “Night Boat to Cairo” which charted in the Top 10 of the hits of 40. This week ago. You really get an idea of how fun and talented the band Madness was. And still are. Enjoy while we wait to hear more about their dates US tour postponed. [Bill Pearis]
For more of our favorite live videos, head here.
