Basically no shows are happening due to the coronavirus outbreak (although some performers are doing live broadcasts instead), but if you already feel like seeing a show, or just need to a brief distraction from the madness of the world right now, luckily there is YouTube which has an incredible range of live footage from all the history of pop music, movie clips of concerts, TV performances and more. professional filming footage, to tons of videos shot by show fans. If you’re looking for a place to start, we’ve picked out some of our favorites. Here are five more:
Vic Chesnutt & Lambchop – Live on Sessions at West 54th, 1998
The great Vic Chesnutt passed away in 2009 but left us with a lot of great music highlighting his distinct way of looking at the world. Here he is in 1998 in a live musical series Showtimes at West 54th (Remember the Trio network?) Backed by Lambchop, just like it was on that year’s album, The Seller and Bernadette. Only downside: it is not long enough. [Bill Pearis]
Staying around Athens, GA here are the local legends Pylon sounding in 1991 like only they could. Almost everyone’s favorite group in Athens, Pylon was dormant through the second half of the 1980s before making a comeback with Chain in 1990. Lots of classics in this set – “Crazy”, “Beep”, more – and a loving hometown crowd, you really get an idea of how fun Pylon is. [Bill Pearis]
Los Campesinos! @ Paradiso, Amsterdam – 11/25/2008
Los Campesinos! had their most prolific year to date in 2008, releasing two excellent albums, And now, young … and We are beautiful, we are doomed. This Amsterdam show took place a few days after the release of the first one, Wait now, and the band is in a good mood, crowding the stage as they cycle through the album’s catchy tracks, along with a few others. It’s a fun watch that really sums up their energetic live broadcasts. [Amanda Hatfield]
Seam @ TT The Bear’s in Cambridge, MA – 5/1/1995
’90s indie rock veteran Seam had a captivating, icy sound that was as stunning on record as it was on stage, as this video of the band playing in Cambridge in 1995 proves. It was a few weeks before Are you driving me crazy? came out, and the band was playing “new” songs at this show. Between songs, they seem so calm and humble, but once they lock in, they sound gigantic. [Andrew Sacher]
Baroness @ The K! Pit (The Gutter) in Brooklyn, NY – 2019
Last year, I got placed at the right time for a nice Brooklyn K shoot concert! Pit watch for Kerrang! Magazine. The closing of the US office reminded me of the recent past and I almost immediately asked myself, “What was your K!” Favorite pit? »Baroness. The answer is most certainly the Baroness. The insane skills and coordination of the limbs should be enough to make him an overall favorite. Add the energy they bring to their live performances, and … I stop talking; just watch the video. [Stephanie Augello]
And here’s a photo gallery from Los Campesinos! elsewhere in 2018:
For more of our favorite live videos, head here.
