For music fans, there's nothing better than seeing your favorite band or checking out an up-and-coming act in person. While the records serve as a tangible finished product that fans can jam on until eternity, the live show experience explains more about a band than their recorded work. With concert prices soaring to astronomical prices, it's understandable if people are staying home. That's why the concert movie/DVD/Blu Ray has become so vital for a band's popularity.
For people who can't afford to see a show, the concert movie serves as a way to take in the action without all the strange smells that inhabit the floor section of the arena. With the number of concert films rising, we decided to take a look to determine what are our favorites from over the years. While the list is clearly subjective, the one common link is that the music and the cinematography both rock.
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Honorable Mention: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – International Magic Live at The O2:
Though
the chief songwriter behind Oasis went solo, from a technical
perspective, this show was pretty tight. There wasn't much on the
showmanship side but from a technical perspective, this is a no-frills
rock show without the pomp and circumstance of a major gig, and that's
just fine.
10. U2 – Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky
Capturing a band on the rise is one thing; seeing them heading towards
superstardom is an entirely different beast. Live at Red Rocks showed
the Irish rockers at their explosive best, culminating during the
iconic “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and foreshadowed how big of a force they'd
become in the coming years.
9. Beastie Boys – Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!
On their last proper concert tour, 50 camcorders were given to audience
members at the Beastie's Madison Square Garden show. What you have here
is different views of the same thing, which was as innovative as it was
badass.
8. Rolling Stones – Shine a Light
Although
they look haggard and ragged, this film, which is directed by concert
movie king Martin Scorsese, shows how gracefully the Stones have aged
(at least musically) through the years. Add special guests like Jack
White, Buddy Guy and (believe it or not), Christina Aguilera to that
mix, and you got yourself the definitive concert of the band's latter
years.
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7. Monterey Pop Fest
Featuring some of the
biggest names from the '60s, this film captures rock legends
as they were on the verge of becoming superstars. Remember the time
when The Who destroyed their instruments or when Jimi Hendrix lit his
guitar on fire? It's captured here in all its glory.
6. Dave Chappelle's Block Party
What happens
when you combine the most enigmatic comedian of his time (Dave
Chappelle), an acclaimed French director (Michel Gondry), Brooklyn and a
Fugees reunion? You get one of the most underrated concert movies in
recent memory. Featuring Kanye West and The Roots amongst others, the
vibe is celebratory and triumphant and made you feel jealous you weren't
in Fort Greene that day to take in the festivities.
5. Concert For George
Paying tribute to the
quiet Beatle on the first anniversary of his death, friends like Paul
McCartney, Eric Clapton and Tom Petty banded together for this charity
tribute gig. Seeing Harrison's famous friends collaborate while covering his
songs was the ultimate sign of respect for one of the most underrated
guitarists of his time.
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4. Jay-Z – Fade To Black
Showcasing what was
supposed to be the Brooklyn-born rapper's final concert, this would have
been the perfect send-off for Hova. Featuring some of the superstars
and not-so-biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, the concert itself was a
spectacle and cemented the rapper as the best at his craft.
3. Woodstock
Perhaps THE definitive film
from the '60s, the festival that defined a generation has all of the
ingredients of a great concert film, even though they may not have
realized it when the first rolled tape. Memorable moments from greats
like Janis Joplin, The Who, Sly and the Family Stone are as fiery as
they were on those rainy August days, but it is Hendrix's legendary
rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that cements this as the essential
document in rock history.
2. Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense
Directed
by Jonathan Demme, this film captured the Talking Heads at their
creative peak. Beginning with frontman David Byrne (whose big suit is
almost as famous as the film itself), who walks on-stage with only a
boom box and acoustic guitar before gradually adding layers, dancers,
instruments and eventually bandmembers. Other innovations include its
unusual lighting methods, minimal audience shots and lack of close-ups
on the bands. In a time when MTV was a kingmaker, this movie reminded
fans that it was possible to create a superior visual product, as long
as the music measured up to the task.
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1. The Band – The Last Waltz
Hands-down the
greatest concert film made, Scorsese captures the group's final shows at
San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom on Thanksgiving 1976. In addition
to guest appearances by Neil Young, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton and
long-time collaborator Bob Dylan, the movie takes a look at the
quintet's history and is shot unlike any other rock movie. When you
combine those elements and an amazing send-off, you have the recipe for
the greatest concert film of all time.
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Daniel Kohn is a writer based in Southern California. With bylines in an assortment of outlets, Kohn primarily specializes in music with other interests ranging from sports to food. As a transplant, Kohn loves the beautiful weather and is glad he no longer has to deal with brutal winters. If you see him, say hi and of course, he’s always willing to down a beer or two…if you’re paying.