amazing live videos of Los Campesinos, Vic Chesnutt/Lambchop, Seam & more to watch while every show is cancelled

May 1, 2020

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:

Vic Chesnutt & Lambchop – Live on Sessions at West 54th, 1998

The great Vic Chesnutt died in in 2009 but left us with a lot of great music showcasing his distinct way of looking at the world. Here he is in 1998 on live music series Sessions at West 54th (Remember the Trio network?) backed by Lambchop, just as he was on album of that year, The Salesman and Bernadette. Only downside to this: it’s not long enough. [Bill Pearis]

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Pylon @ 40 Watt 1/1/1991

Sticking around Athens, GA here’s local legends Pylon ringing in 1991 as only they could. Pretty much everyone’s favorite band in Athens, Pylon were dormant for the second half of the ’80s before making a fine return with Chain in 1990. Lots of classics in this set — “Crazy,” “Beep,” more — and an adoring hometown crowd, you really get a sense of just how fun Pylon were. [Bill Pearis]

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Los Campesinos! @ Paradiso, Amsterdam – 11/25/2008

Los Campesinos! had their most prolific year yet in 2008, releasing two great albums, How on Now, Youngster… and We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed. This Amsterdam show happened days after the release of the first, Hold on Now, and the band are in high spirits, crowding the stage as they run through the album’s rollicking tracks, along with a few others. It’s a fun watch that really encapsulates their energetic live shows. [Amanda Hatfield]

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Seam @ TT The Bear’s in Cambridge, MA – 5/1/1995

’90s-era indie rock vets Seam had a captivating, glacial-pace sound that was as gorgeous on record as it was on stage, as this video of the band playing Cambridge in 1995 proves. This was a few weeks before Are You Driving Me Crazy? came out, and the band were playing some “new” songs at this show. In between songs, they seem so quiet and humble, but once they lock in, they sound gigantic. [Andrew Sacher]

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Baroness @ The K! Pit (The Gutter) in Brooklyn, NY – 2019

Last year, I right place right timed myself into a sweet gig shooting the Brooklyn K! Pit shows for Kerrang! Magazine. The closure of the US office got me reminiscing about the recent past, and I almost immediately asked myself, “What was your favorite K! Pit?.” Baroness. The answer is most certainly Baroness. The insane skills and coordination of the members should be enough to make them an overall favorite. Throw in the energy they bring to their live performances, and… I’ll stop talking; just watch the video. [Stephanie Augello]