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:
Jimmy Cliff & Tim Armstrong @ Coachella 2012
Reggae has long been an influence on Rancid, and in 2012 Tim Armstrong was able to live a dream by producing and co-writing reggae legend Jimmy Cliff’s first album in eight years, Renaissance, which was indeed a rebirth – it sounded like classic Jimmy Cliff, it was greeted with a lot of acclaim, and it helped Jimmy make his Coachella debut (which happened a few months before the release of album). Tim was in Jimmy’s band at the festival, and they sounded fantastic during their set which included a few new songs from the album; classics like “Many Rivers to Cross”, “Vietnam” and (of course) “The Harder They Come”; a reggae cover of Rancid’s “Ruby Soho” (which they also recorded for Renaissance); and Jimmy Cliff’s version of “I Can See Clearly Now”. The full set isn’t on YouTube, but this playlist compiles most of it and is definitely worth watching. [Andrew Sacher]
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Converge’s “Blood Moon” with Chelsea Wolfe @ Roadburn 2016
Converge is often known for its heavy and direct music, but it also has a softer side, and for its Moon of blood shows in 2016, they leaned on this side of them for an entire ensemble. They had an expanded roster of the group, which included longtime friend (and former Converge member) Stephen Brodsky (Cave In, Mutoid Man, etc.) for the full set, as well as Chelsea Wolfe and her frequent collaborator Ben Chisholm for the second half of the whole. The result is something that’s a whole different beast than a normal Converge show. and than a normal Chelsea Wolfe show, but just as captivating in its own way. To learn a lot more about this project, I recommend Ian Cory’s in-depth study Moon of blood feature of 2016, and I also recommend delving into that killer video that Max Volume Silence shot at Roadburn 2016. [Andrew Sacher]
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Adam and the Ants – “Prince Charming’s Review” 1982
Meet Adam & The Ants in all their swashbuckling glory, touring for their latest album, Prince Charming. This is the Ants’ second lineup – after Malcom McLaren convinced Dave Barbarossa, Matthew Ashman and Leigh Gorman to quit and form Bow Wow Wow – featuring the great Marco Pironi on guitar and with that signature attack to two drummers, they sound great. . (You also get most of the big hits, from “Dog Eat Dog” and “Antmusic” to “Kings of the Wild Fronier” and “Ant Rap.”) It’s the Adam show and this video (which is released on VHS during the day) adds slow motion and other effects that really showcase its pop stardom. [Bill Pearis]
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Les Damnés @ Whiskey A-Go-Go 03/02/1982
As good as The Damned still is, it’s hard to beat the days when Rat Scabies was on drums, as you can see on this 1982 show at LA’s Whiskey. The oomph he brings is immediately apparent, as he literally attacks his kit (“Wait for the Blackout” is a debut star and a showcase for Rat.) Lots of classics at this show: “I can’t be happy today “,” Melody Lee “,” Love Song “,” New Rose “,” Smash it Up “and more, and of course Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible and Paul Gray are also in great shape. [Bill Pearis]
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St. Vincent & Andrew Bird @ La Blogothèque Pocket Night – April 2009
St. Vincent and Andrew Bird toured North America together in the fall of 2009, and before that, they performed this very intimate “pocket party” for La Blogothèque, the video producers behind the Take Away Show series. It features Andrew playing three songs from Noble beast, which was released in January of that year, followed by St. Vincent each playing a song by Marry me and Actor (which will not be released until the following month), accompanied by Andrew on violin. It’s a wonderful collaboration, the stuff of dreams, and we just wish it would last even longer. [Amanda Hatfield]
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Check out photos of The Damned at Irving Plaza in 2018 in the gallery below.
For more of our favorite live videos, head here.
