Videos
Every fan of music knows there is no substitute for the live show. Even though I do prefer the album version of most songs (I believe perfection is achieved in the studio—if you have to change the song when it’s live, you’re doing something wrong), a good live performance can add exciting elements or give further insight into the song. That, and they can just be so damned entertaining. So what better way to kill a snow day than with a few minutes of live music entertainment? And who knows, you might even discover a new band. So here are a few of my favorite one-off live performances, in no particular order.
Nine Inch Nails – March of the Pigs
“But wait,” you say. “This is the official video. I thought you said ‘live?’” Funny story. This was the “performance” part—the lip-synching—of what was supposed to be a much more in-depth video for March of the Pigs. You can hear Trent at the beginning saying, “Roll sound. Sound?” When whatever intern doesn’t get to it, Chris Vrenna picks up the slack and starts playing the opening drum riff. I love the point when it switches from Trent Reznor looking bored to him nodding his head as if to say, “Okay, we’re going to do this.” What follows is a spur-of-the-moment, stripped down live performance.
Tomahawk – God Hates a Coward
Here is where those “exciting elements” I mentioned before come into play. It’s great to see the equipment Mike Patton uses to get three different sounding vocals, especially the gas mask! It helps that Mike Patton is a great singer and a fantastic frontman.
Jeff Buckley – Grace
I’m not sure where I first saw this, but it’s my favorite live performance from the late, great Jeff Buckley. It’s videos like this that make me regret not being born 10 years earlier so I could catch a few of his shows. A solid performance that also showcases his amazing vocal ability; the climax at the end always gives me goosebumps.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps
My favorite Yeah Yeah Yeahs song. There is nothing particularly exciting about this one until the end, but it’s a great way to finish the song.
Beck – Clap Hands
Beck has always been one of the more innovative performers around, and this video only reinforces that. While he plays what is probably one of the easiest guitar riffs of all time, his band steals the show with their awesomely percussive dinner.
David Ford – Go To Hell
Even though “State of the Union”—a video of similar concept and a song of higher caliber—is what really got me in to David Ford in the first place, this video is done much better. This doing everything himself and looping it to gradually build to a complete song has come to be a hallmark of many of his videos, as well as his live show. Which, by the way, is a must-see.
A Perfect Circle – Judith
I don’t know why I like this performance so much. Maybe because it was the first time I’d see APC, or even the first time I’d really seen Maynard (my biggest man-crush). Maybe it’s just Maynard’s super awesome suit (which I want a replica of for my wedding) or just the fact that I like to watch Maynard on stage. Either way, it’s a great performance and definitely one of my favorites to watch.
A Perfect Circle – Judith – Live on Conan
Uploaded by Consommateur_74537. – Watch more music videos, in HD!
Fleet Foxes – Mykonos
I had been aware of Fleet Foxes previous to seeing this—had even listened to their album a few times—but it wasn’t until this very performance that LeeAnne and myself became fans. It’s a great song and a great performance, which is only elevated by the ending. This is another band I would suggest seeing live, as their harmonizing is enchanting and their music is excellent.
The Mars Volta – Son et Lumiere/Inertiatic ESP
Of any band I’ve seen live, be it in person or on video, I don’t think any has as charismatic a frontman as The Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala and, to a lesser extent, guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Both could command your attention with the pure energy that flows through them once the music starts. I never had the ability to see Freddie Mercury of Jim Morrison live, but one day I’ll be able to brag that I saw Cedric Bixler-Zavala.
If any of the links don’t work, please let me know. Otherwise, enjoy the videos and link me to some of your own.
