amazing live videos of Joanna Newsom, Joni Mitchell, Madness & more to watch while every show is cancelled
Basically no shows are happening due to the coronavirus outbreak (though some artists are doing livestreams instead), but if you’re already jonesing to see a show, or just need a brief distraction from the insanity of the world right now, thankfully there’s YouTube which has an amazing array of live footage from throughout the history of pop music, from clips from concert films, TV performances and other pro-shot footage, to tons of fan-shot video from shows. If you’re looking for a place to start, we’ve been picking some of our favorites. Here are five more:
Joanna Newsom @ First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA, November 16 2006
A couple of days after the release of her sophomore LP, Ys, Joanna Newsom performed it in full at this gorgeous Philadelphia show, along with some songs from The Milk-Eyed Mender, one from Walnut Whales, and an old Scottish traditional, "Ca' the Yowes to the Knowes." It's a truly gorgeous, transporting performance that's well worth taking an hour and a half out of your day to watch. [Amanda Hatfield]
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Joni Mitchell @ Isle of Wight, 1970
Joni Mitchell's performance at the storied 1970 Isle of Wight festival was turned into a concert film/documentary, and it's a great look at how she could have a gigantic crowd in the palms of her hands with just her voice and acoustic guitar, or piano. Joni sounded absolutely pristine at Isle of Wight, and since it happened right in the midst of her prime, the setlist is flawless, built mainly of songs from Clouds and Ladies of the Canyon but also featuring a couple from Blue (which would come out a year later), including a breathtaking, set-closing rendition of "A Case of You." [Andrew Sacher]
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The Go-Betweens on "Rock Arena," 1987
Australian cult heroes The Go-Betweens wrote amazing songs but sometimes suffered the fate of Big '80s Production when it came to their albums. Listen to them live during that era, stripped of much of that sheen, and you can really hear how amazing they were as a band. This Australian TV performance from 1987, supporting Tallulah, is a great example of this, featuring such stellar classics as "Spring Rain," "Cattle and Cane," "Bye By Pride" and "Right Here." Pure pop magic. [Bill Pearis]
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Townes Van Zandt “Solo Sessions” for Austin Music Network - 1/17/1995
“Its funny about songs,” says Townes Van Zandt. “Once they’re written they’re on their own.” Van Zandt’s pensive elegance marks both performances he recorded for Austin Music Network while supporting his last studio album before his death, No Deeper Blue. Across both sets he performs classics like “Lover’s Lullaby” and “Flyin’ Shoes,” a song he said came from a “certain place” where he would “talk to the river” when he lived in Tennessee. It’s a claim of inspiration that’s hard to doubt, as the ballads featured here about love and people both heroic and broken come from American history and his personal life. He details these backgrounds with intimacy, and as most of his recordings prove, his solo guitar, poetry, and voice — a gentle yelp further softened here with age — are enough to enrich the air and soul. [Andrew Marinaccio]
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Madness in Nottingham, 1980
Getting their start as part of the 2-Tone ska scene in the UK, Madness had their own unique "nutty" style that incorporated '50s rock n' roll and the English music hall tradition. Here they are in the early part of their career, around the time of their second album Absolutely, but when they'd already racked up five UK Top 20 hits. On the BBC telecast concert, They played most of those -- "My Girl," The Prince," "One Step Beyond" and "Embarrassment" -- as well as "Night Boat to Cairo" which was a Top 10 hit 40 years ago this week. You really get a sense of how fun and talented band Madness were. And still are. Enjoy this while we wait to hear more about their postponed US tour dates. [Bill Pearis]
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For more of our favorite live videos, head here.