Music
10 great concert films to satisfy your live music craving
Watch classic gigs from LCD Soundsystem, Beyonce, Beastie Boys and more
If you're pining for sticky-floored gig venues or the buzz of standing shoulder to shoulder with thousands at a festival – fear not.
These concert films may not be the same thing, but they're some of the best alternatives to a live music fix.
1. BEYONCÉ – 'Homecoming'
If you've been lucky enough to catch Beyoncé live, you'll be aware of her talent for putting on a spectacular show. Her 2018 Coachella gig left everyone else in the dust in terms of sheer showmanship (showwomanship?). As you may recall, the pop queen was originally scheduled to headline the festival in 2017 but bowed out on doctor's orders (she was pregnant with twins at the time, which is fair enough.) A year later, she made up for it with a spectacular set that many have declared her definitive moment – incorporating spectacular choreography, guest appearances from Jay-Z, her Destiny's Child bandmates and more, and a wow factor that is rarely matched in live performances. This film documents the lead-up to the show and is well worth a watch – preferably on the biggest TV screen that you can find.
2. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – 'Shut Up and Play the Hits'
For many people, LCD Soundsystem were the band that defined a generation – so when the New Yorkers decided to split in 2011 after 9 years and three albums together, it was a pretty big deal. Alright, so they got back together just four years later, but still. This documentary-cum-concert film follows frontman James Murphy over two days as he prepares to play the band's last hurrah, a sold-out gig at New York's Madison Square Garden. The gig would later be released as a live album (called 'The Long Goodbye') and featured appearances from everyone from Arcade Fire to Soulwax to Murphy's DFA comrade The Juan McLean and comedian Reggie Watts – not to mention a few famous faces in the audience.
3. RADIOHEAD – 'Live from a Tent in Dublin'
If you were there, then you'll know just how special Radiohead's gig (well, three gigs, actually) at Punchestown were. If not, then you will after watching this concert film, which was recently made available in full for the first time. It shows ten songs from Thom Yorke and co.'s trip to Punchestown (which is in Kildare, not Dublin - but we'll let that one slide) where they played the Big Top at the racecourse in 2000. 'Kid A' had just been released at the time, so the setlist is heavy on songs from that era – but as a band arguably at the height of their powers, it's a real stunner of a gig.
4. TALKING HEADS – 'Stop Making Sense'
No self-respecting list of 'Best Concert Films' is complete without this one. Shot over four nights in 1983 when the band were on their 'Speaking in Tongues' tour, Jonathan Demme's pioneering 1984 film captured Talking Heads at their peak; a band working in perfect synchronicity, an exceptional setlist, and David Byrne's Big Suit. There's a reason that it's still shown in cinemas decades after it was first released - it's a cracker of a show that can still ignite audiences. Imagine what it must have been like in person?
5. JAY-Z – 'Fade to Black'
In 2004, Jay-Z announced that he was to retire from the music game after completing his eighth studio album – and masterpiece – The Black Album. We know now that that retirement was short-lived; just three years later, he released his comeback album 'Kingdom Come'. Nevertheless, 'Fade to Black' intersperses footage from his supposed 'final' gig at New York's Madison Square Garden with footage from the making of The Black Album. A number of big names, from Diddy to Mary J. Blige to Beyoncé (of course) turn up to help him out; it's both a great gig and an interesting documentation of the creative process of one of rap's titans.
6. LIZZO – Tiny Desk Concert
This may not be the same pyrotechnic-filled extravaganza or OTT star-studded show that most famous concert films are known for, but if you haven't seen Lizzo's Tiny Desk Concert yet, remedy it immediately. It's only 16 minutes long, so consider it a set rather than a concert - but nevertheless, it'll do your heart good. The NPR series is usually a joyful occasion in any case, but the sheer exuberance that Lizzo brings with her performance of 'Cuz I Love You, 'Truth Hurts' and 'Juice' is infectious. Not only is she funny, but she can REALLY sing.
7. DAVE CHAPELLE'S BLOCK PARTY
Directed by Michel Gondry, this documentary/concert film follows comedian Dave Chappelle across the summer of 2004, culminating in a huge Block Party that he throws in Brooklyn featuring some huge names on its line-up. This was no ordinary neighbourhood gathering; Kanye West, The Fugees, John Legend, The Roots, Common, Mos Def, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott are just some of the acts who pop up to play a tune or two. Okay, so it may not be a concert film per se – but this gig is undoubtedly joyful in its own right.
8. KRAFTWERK – 3D
It's safe to say that Kraftwerk have earned their reputation as a live force to be reckoned with across five decades. The Germans may not move much on stage, but are renowned for their visuals – which, if you've ever been lucky enough to catch them live - are always hugely impressive. They have always been trailblazers on that front, but their 3D tours were really something else. Luckily, various performances from recent years were filmed and released as '3-D The Catalogue' in 2017: a live album and concert film that's almost as good as the real thing.
9. BEASTIE BOYS – 'Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!'
Back in 2004, camera phones weren't as widespread as they are now – and they certainly weren't capable of filming high-definition footage at a gig. That didn't stop the Beastie Boys from attempting something pretty out-there for their sold out show at Madison Square Garden: give 50 fans a hand-held camcorder and tell them to keep it rolling at all times. Directed by the much-missed Adam 'MCA' Yauch, the resultant concert film may not be the slickest you've ever seen, but it's undoubtedly one of the most authentic as we view the gig from multiple perspectives in the crowd.
10. GORILLAZ - 'Demon Days: Live at the Manchester Opera House'
You can probably imagine that staging a gig for a 'cartoon' band must be a tough ask - but Gorillaz pulled it out of the bag in glorious fashion on their 'Demon Days' tour in 2005. Damon Albarn (aka 2-D) and his comrades undertook a 5-night residency at Manchester Opera House (and later, one in New York), with custom-made visuals, a long list of guest vocalists/performers (including Neneh Cherry, MF Doom and even Ike Turner) as well as puppets made by Jim Henson's Creature Shop roaming the audience. The whole thing – which cost more money to stage than it made in ticket sales – was superb, and was even nominated for a Grammy.
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