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:
Rush in 1980/1981 (Exit… Stage left)
On their tours for the now legendary albums permanent waves (1980) and Animated pictures (1981), Recorded Rush Exit… Stage left, which was released as a live album in 1981 and later released as a film as well. It also fits into interview footage, and live footage finds Rush at the height of his powers, powering up now-classic songs like “Limelight,” “Tom Sawyer,” “Closer to the Heart,” ” YYZ”, “2112: Grand Final”, and more. It’s still amazing how great Rush could sound with just three members, and they looked as big as life on stage as their music sounded. We miss you Neil. [Andrew Sacher]
Blur in Cologne, Germany 06/16/1993
The “Blur” sound really took shape with the band’s second album, Modern life sucks, where glamorous, 60s bands like The Kinks began to shape their sound. This album had just been released when Blur played this show for German TV and you can tell the new direction was exciting for them from the spring in their step. Kicking off with “Popscene”, their set includes “Chemical World”, “For Tomorrow”, “Sunday Sunday” and “Colin Zeal” plus the first single from the album “She’s So High” and the one that will end with play a decisive role in their following: “Parklife.” [Bill Pearis]
Mobb deep inside Teen Summit – 1996
the infamous turns 25 this week, and it becomes expanded reissue this Friday to celebrate, and we also celebrate today with this classic Mobb Deep video on BET’s Teen Summit in 1996. It was actually around the time the infamous‘ followed hell on earth came out, and they played the big single “Front Lines (Hell On Earth)” from that album, but not before they did an amazing rendition of the infamous‘ the breakthrough single ‘Shook Ones’. It’s sadly just those two songs, but footage of Mobb Deep in the mid-’90s isn’t easy to come by, and this video does a great job of showing what a dynamic duo these two were in their prime. RIP prodigy. [Andrew Sacher]
Regina Spektor @ The Hammersmith Apollo, London – 12/4/2009
Regina Spektor is backed by a string quartet and drummer at this performance in London in 2009, and they flesh out her sound beautifully; frankly, I have goosebumps listening. The setlist is composed mainly of songs by Far, which was released six months prior, but she also plays a lot of older material, all sounding at the top of her game. [Amanda Hatfield]
The Wedding Present @ Reading Festival 1989
Once dubbed “Smiths’ second favorite fan band”, The Wedding Present were known for their loving lyrics and manic sound. Here they are at the 1989 Reading Festival, just months before the release of their second album, Weird, ripping through ’80s indie classics like “My Favorite Dress,” “Brassneck,” “Everybody Think He’s Daft,” and more. The video is a bit wonky – how did people introduce video cameras into the festival back then? – but bonus for hearing the late great John Peel read tongue-in-cheek festival announcements before their set, like “Blue Ford Sierra license plate number” your car is about to be towed warning. [Bill Pearis]
And here’s a photo gallery of Rush at MSG on their 40th anniversary tour:
For more of our favorite live videos, head here.
