Due to the pandemic, 2021 music festivals like Coachella and Boston Calling have been canceled. If you’re missing the energy of live concerts, here are five of the best concert films to watch.
Written by: Natalie Daniels – February 22, 2021 8:32 pm pst
COVID-19 has taken a lot of things from us, and one of those things is live music. While there’s no substitute for in-person live music, here are five concert films to help you get your music fix.
Woodstock (1970)
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
As one of the music festivals to start it all, Woodstock transcended the idea of live music. The festival is known for its hippie spirit and coined the term “three days of peace and music.” Artists ranged from Janis Joplin, Santana, and Jimi Hendrix. The documentary looks at the performances and the concert-goer’s experience, capturing a music lover’s utter essence.
Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour (2018)
Where to Watch: Netflix
This concert film captures Taylor Swift’s most recent world tour, the Reputation Stadium Tour. The filmed concert includes pyrotechnics, a larger-than-life stage production, and the pop queen herself. It’s almost like you’re experiencing the show in person for the first time.
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party (2005)
Where to Watch: Cinemax or Amazon Prime
Hosted by comedian Dave Chappelle, the documentary follows Chappelle and residents of his Ohio hometown as they travel to Brooklyn, N.Y., for a free block party concert. Chappelle includes various hip hop and neo-soul artists like Kanye West, Mos Def, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and The Roots. The film also reunited the group, the Fugees, after seven years. While performances are at the forefront, the film shows rehearsal footage and funny moments of Chappelle’s journey to create this event.
Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You (2020)
Where to Watch: Netflix
The film observes Ariana Grande on-stage and behind the scenes of her 2019 Sweetener World Tour. While it highlights the power of Grande’s vocals and her rising popularity, it shows her humble and adorable personality through conversations with her mom, crew, and backup dancers. The songs are so catchy they might pull you right off the couch to start dancing along.
Nirvana Live at the Paramount (2011)
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
You can relive the magic of the iconic rock band Nirvana as they perform at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, Washington. Filmed on October 31, 1991, the concert features live performances from their debut album Bleach and second album Nevermind. Viewers can see the intensity and feel pure adrenaline as the band performs.
Hopefully, these films can give you a life-changing music experience without having to leave the comfort of your couch! No movie can replace the joy of a real-life concert, but until we can finally see live performances again, we’ll be streaming our favorite moments in music over and over.
About The Author:
Natalie Daniels is a Journalism major at Emerson College in Boston and an intern at AfterBuzz TV. With her love of entertainment news and positive storytelling, she is passionate about all things music, TV/ movies, and pop culture.
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