Music has a way of permeating every bit of media that it comes across. The concert film allows film-goers to view these bands on the big screen, and pay one tenth the price of a concert ticket. Here are 5 concert films to see before you die.
The Last Waltz by The Band
It doesn’t get any better than this. The Band’s final concert was catalogued by none other than Martin Scorsese, and what a way to go out. Levon Helm’s vocals scream with intensity and prowess. Robbie Robertson’s guitar playing is at its peak. The guest stars are uncountable. Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris, and Ray Charles are just some of the voices you hear in this concert. This concert has also one of the best recordings of “The Weight,” with vocals by The Staples Singers. Oh, and everyone in the audience that day was fed Thanksgiving Dinner. A concert wasn’t just a concert; it was a show.
Stop Making Sense by The Talking Heads
David Byrne does it again. One of the best concert films to ever be rated, this concert of The Talking Heads is a sight to see. Recorded in 1983 and released a year later, this film starts with an empty stage. David Byrne steps out and does an acoustic version of “Psycho Killer.” Watching this man bound around the stage armed only with an acoustic guitar and his voice is bound to draw praise from everyone. Add the gradual entrance of Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison, and you have perfection. Some great stand out songs to see are “Burning Down the House” and “Genius of Love,” the latter performed by the Tom Tom Club, Weymouth’s side project. With electrifying bass lines, bumping keyboard phrasing and amazing vocals by Byrne, it’s no wonder that this is named one of the best concert films of all time.
Live at Pompeii by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd has done it again. Using the setting on an amphitheater in Pompeii, the site of one of history’s most deadly volcano eruptions, Pink Floyd lead the helm of this 1972 documentary. Starting with some great ambient sound generation, the documentary opens with the Floyd song “Echoes,” setting the stage for a psychedelic, inquisitive musical trip. Some other notable songs on this show are “Careful with That Axe, Eugene” and “Mademoiselle Nobs.” Fun fact about “Nobs:” Originally titled “Dogs,” from the album Animals, this version was renamed after the dog that was brought in to howl during the song.
Side Note: Steer clear from the “Director’s Cut” editions of this show. Too many extra insights and music videos are added, detracting from the significance of this awesome show.
The Grateful Dead Movie by the Grateful Dead
Few bands from the 60’s were able to keep their momentum going into the mid-70’s. The Grateful Dead were a huge exception. This concert film, directed by band front-man Jerry Garcia, shows just what it needs to: the band at the height of its popularity. Filmed in 1974 at the Winterland Ballroom, this film was meant to serve as an archive of the band amid rumors of a breakup. With a high-energy set of music from the get-go, plus an awesome animation sequence to start, the movie is perfect for both Deadheads and newcomers alike. This film never gets old, and it never will.
P.S.: Watch the crowd for this show. Their reactions are both equal parts entertaining, mind-blowing, and cringe-worthy.
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