Disclaimer: Despite the leading superlative in the title, this is by no means intends to be a final, exhaustive list of “the best live music on the internet”. There is, of course, always more to love, more to discover, but this is a good place to start.
ANDREW BIRD
Bonnaroo 2006 This is the video that turned me on to Andrew Bird! It’s Bonnaroo 2006 and Bird’s at the peak of his virtuosity, teamed up with longtime collaborator and drummer extraordinaire Martin Dosh. Between looped violin, glockenspiel harmonies, and drum sampling, they’re giving Bonnaroo a performance to remember—and this is back when Bonnaroo wasn’t filled with off-season Coachella Instagrammers.
“A Nervous Tic Motion” https://bit.ly/2VFFXtG
“Simple X” https://bit.ly/3bkZgyT
Sonic Arboretum Hey, I’m in this video! Check out my high school head mop around 4:46. All kidding aside, this was an magical concert. Billed as Sonic Arboretum, the event paired Andrew Bird with Chicago instrument maker Ian Schneller, and Bird delivered an improvised program of orchestral-folk soundscapes via 100+ fan-shaped amplifiers distributed throughout the swirling interior of the museum. It was fantastical.
“Dark Sounds Concert Series At The Guggenheim: Andrew Bird and Ian Schneller” https://bit.ly/2KcjKy2
SOULIVE
Live At Brooklyn Bowl I don’t even know what to say about this except damn. This is what it’s all about.
“Eleanor Rigby / I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” https://bit.ly/2RRtBxw
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
The Central Park Concert This is special one. I can still remember my brother getting the Central Park Concert DVD (!) back in 2004 and watching it on a hot, summer night in June. I’ve seen it about 500 times since then—no joke—and I learned how to play the drums through this concert. In fact, it’s the show that made me want to become a musician. All that aside, it’s a monster of a show, and Dave Matthews’ singing is exhilarating.
Don’t miss “Don’t Drink The Water”, “Warehouse”, “Rhyme & Reason”, “Jimi Thing” https://rb.gy/kkuhlx
Live At Radio City Here’s a delightful peek into the more intimate side of Dave Matthews. He under the lights at Radio City in an acoustic duo offering some of his best songs—in their best versions. It’s the sort of thing you’d sit back and have a good glass of red with.
Don’t miss “Bartender”, “The Maker” https://rb.gy/lyzeth
Live On The Today Show This is too good to leave off the list. Pure beauty.
“Some Devil” https://rb.gy/2lwfob
Live From
The Basement
Radiohead
Glastonbury 2003 Catch Radiohead at the height of their influence and world domination, still riding high on their third release of the early 2000s. They’re on their home turf and the crowd won’t let them forget it—not for a moment—people are there to rage. History is made.
Don’t miss “There There”, “Paranoid Android” https://bit.ly/3cs3x3O
Live From The Basement Undoubtedly one of the best musical “gifts” to the internet, it’s Radiohead deep in studio meditation crafting some of their best tunes from the inside out. The music is hauntingly beautiful and the production is second to none.
King Of Limbs Sessions (Don’t miss “Bloom”, “Codex”) https://bit.ly/3akGd6o
In Rainbows Sessions (Don’t miss “House of Cards”, “Optimistic”, “Reckoner”) https://bit.ly/34MMHde
THUNDERCAT
Live On The Current Watching this vid feels like melting brie over a $200 cracker du jour. Whatever it is, this tune has got it. Great introduction to Thundercat to boot.
“A Fan’s Mail (Tron Song II)” https://bit.ly/3bmv726
JOHN MAYER
Live At Red Rocks 2010 Say what you want about John Mayer, but the opening song on this show gets its swag on—and John is high on some painkiller or something (see video comments). In either case, it’s your treat and it’s Red Rocks.
“Live At Red Rocks Amphitheater, September 1, 2010” https://bit.ly/2VhJxLm
Live At Crossroads 2013 Here’s another one you didn’t expect. It’s John Mayer with Keith Urban, playing a Beatles tune. But it’s actually really great, and they trade off some memorable guitar energy on the back end.
“Don’t Let Me Down” https://bit.ly/3eA7QvA
TALKING HEADS
Live In Rome 1980 David Byrne has said some things about this tour in interviews. Remain In Light is hot off the press and they’re in full hypnosis, manifesting the best of the album’s dance-addictive polyrhythms with their expansive 10-piece live band. Even at a glimpse, you can tell there’s something special going on here.
Don’t miss “Crosseyed And Painless”, “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)” https://bit.ly/2VhKu6o
PHISH
Glens Falls ’94, Halloween A great starter for all you Phish newbies—this is one of the shows—yeah, that time when they covered the entirety of The White Album in one set. Trey rips it up, over and over again. See what it’s all about.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” https://rb.gy/6vypop
“Divided Sky” https://rb.gy/yslftc
Live In Brooklyn Here’s another DVD that did things to my brain. Phish kicks off their 2004 summer tour in no place other than Coney Island, home of the hot dog. It’s an excellent window into that good summer vibe Phish, and there are several top tracks in this show.
“Moma Dance” https://rb.gy/1sgtyc
“Maze” https://rb.gy/eeffyp
“Possum” https://rb.gy/jlukyf
Fuji Rock ‘99 Tell your mom about this one: the boys are off in Japan tripping LSD on the Field of Heaven stage of the Fuji Rock Festival. Tune in for some beautiful, long-form psychedelia with remarkable improvisation and magnificent peaks.
Don’t miss “David Bowie”, “Prince Caspian” https://rb.gy/qbifhs
Clifford Ball The first Phish festival in the book. 60,000+ fans show up for 2 days / 6 sets of Phish—the energy is uncapped. The second set of the second day is of the best of the best.
“Sample In A Jar” https://rb.gy/1qgg9c
Day II, Set II “It’s Ice > Brother” https://rb.gy/lk59m5
Day II, Set II “Run Like An Antelope” https://rb.gy/sv9edb
Live In Central Park 1980
ELTON JOHN
Live In Ephesus Who said Elton couldn’t play solo piano. In this one, the whole thing bops, pops, bounces, and groans—Elton gives a dynamite performance in a beautiful outdoor amphitheater in Turkey. There’s a reason he’s always been one of the best.
Don’t miss “Honky Cat”, “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters” https://rb.gy/okypog
Live In Central Park 1980 Another show from Central Park! It’s Elton & Band in their prime, giving the people what they want. Worth it alone for the “Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” opener.
“Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” https://rb.gy/e1tlvv
“Imagine” https://rb.gy/ykpxut
ALICE PHOEBE LOU
Ah, the enchantress of the Berlin Street Music scene. Witness all the grace and beauty that lives within Alice Phoebe Lou’s music. You won’t soon forget it.
“Grey” https://rb.gy/dfyu31
“I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” https://rb.gy/km8owz
THEO KATZMAN
You probably know Theo from Vulfpeck, but in case you don’t know his solo stuff, do know that it’s absolutely killer (it’s actually Theo’s music that got me into Vulfpeck). From catchy pop lines to explosive guitar licks, he’s got it all. Watch and repeat.
- “Hard Work / Break Up Together” https://rb.gy/5tz2bz
- “Plane Jane Heroin” https://rb.gy/6rrnni
NAT KING COLE
Hey what about Nat King Cole! Yeah, the legend. Hop in this time machine back to the 40s and see what you’ve really been missing. This tune just warms my heart, and I’m sure it will do the same for you.
- “When I Fall In Love” https://bit.ly/3erNuF3