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:
Ramones in Germany – 09/13/1978
I’m too young to have ever seen the Ramones, but I know from all the live footage that they were a beastly, insanely cool, well-oiled machine that only stopped their fast songs to give Joey enough time to shout the next title of the song and Dee Dee to shout “1-2-3-4!” The influence of the Ramones concert is still felt on bands today, and I’m sure I’m far from the only person grateful that we have videos to see for ourselves what the Ramones were like at their peak. This is one of those videos. [Andrew Sacher]
Yeah yeah yeah first pictures
I couldn’t find a full Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert at the time, but here are some videos from the band’s debut that are definitely worth keeping. Not only did YYY have the songs from the get-go, they also had the dominant stage presence, and it’s a real treat to watch them play small local New York venues like Mercury Lounge (in 2001) and Brownies (in 2002) and already looking ready to face the stadiums. [Andrew Sacher]
Roadway in Frankfurt, Germany 06/03/1994
Pavement was at the height of his indie rock credentials in 1994, having released the undeniable twisted rain, twisted rain and his highly cited MTV Buzz Bin single “Cut Your Hair”. (That they never received “Cute Band Alert” in sassy magazine was either a travesty or a blessing.) They sound pretty good at this Frankfurt show, delivering a package filled with early classics, all of which are a little more rock, rugged and put together than their records/reputation might have implied.
Broken Social Scene at the Ottawa Folk Festival, August 25, 2004
Broken Social Scene performances are cathartic experiences of community and joy, and this 2004 set, recorded at the Ottawa Folk Festival, is no exception. It includes some songs from BSS’ self-titled third album, which was still a year away at this point, and Emily Haines of Metric and Amy Milan of Stars join the party for part of the set. And everyone looks so young! Amanda Hatfield
Arthur Lee & Love @ Royal Festival Hall 01/15/2003
We lost Arthur Lee in 2006 – just three years ago sounding great, leading his current Love lineup through a full performance of the band’s classic Summer of Love Changes forever as part of the record’s 35th anniversary tour. Accompanied by a string and horn section, songs like “Alone Again Or”, “A House is Not a Motel” and “Maybe the People Would Be the 4 Times or Between Clark and Hilldale” were brought to life in Technicolor.
For more of our favorite live videos, head here.
