Recommendations for good to great rock n roll concert dvds

September 15, 2007 8:07 AM

Can the HiveMind recommend some good rock 'n' roll live concert DVDs?

Running into kind of wall with regard to netflix ordering, and the search engine is not particularly helpful. Can you all recommend some good concert DVDs for Rock n Roll acts over the past 40 years? My musical tastes are all over the map, and always up for something new. Just looking for unqualified great shows.

posted by psmealey to media & arts (39 answers total)

The Band's "The Last Waltz" (directed by Martin Scorsese) would be an amazing place to start.
posted by peacecorn at 8:12 AM on September 15, 2007

Peter Gabriel's Secret World Live - not the latest live stuff as it was released in 94 before Up and Ovo were released, but it's shot much better than his other concert dvds (and I think I've seen all the official ones)
posted by mkb at 8:24 AM on September 15, 2007

Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii

It's live but there is no audience. Also features interviews with the band around the time they were recording Dark Side of the Moon
posted by chillmost at 8:30 AM on September 15, 2007

Neil Young's Live at Massey Hall is one of my favorite performance DVD's ever. Depressing, uplifting, funny, and sad.
posted by item at 8:33 AM on September 15, 2007

Not a DVD, but a website collecting very short films of dozens of current indie bands giving spontaneous free shows/busking in the streets of Paris. Some of these are just exhilarating, in the way a great staged show can be.

Take Away Shows

If you don't know where to start, try the Arcade Fire... it's slow to get going but great once it's going. Also try The Islands, The Hidden Cameras, and then just start poking around...
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:36 AM on September 15, 2007 [1 favorite]

Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense is a great concert film.
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:37 AM on September 15, 2007

U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky
posted by kirkaracha at 8:42 AM on September 15, 2007

The Pixies DVD - live from the Town & Country Club in 1988. Before they sucked.
posted by doublesix at 8:46 AM on September 15, 2007

Oh, since you said your tastes are all over the map, give Underworld's Everything, Everything a try.
posted by mkb at 8:51 AM on September 15, 2007

2nding Stop Making Sense
Gimme Shelter
Wattstax (if you consider soul and funk as rock 'n' roll)
posted by hydrophonic at 8:57 AM on September 15, 2007

It is entirely appropriate that The Last Waltz was the first suggestion. Nothing else will top it. In fact, I'm going to watch it right now.
posted by ewiar at 8:58 AM on September 15, 2007

Chuck Berry's "Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll" is one of the best.
posted by yclipse at 9:00 AM on September 15, 2007

Jeff Tweedy's Sunken Treasure
Neil Young Heart of Gold.

Both recent, both good. Saw the Neil Young in the theater.
posted by Ironmouth at 9:02 AM on September 15, 2007

I like U2 Elevation Live from Boston, U2 Zoo TV, and any of the old Rush live shows, especially the Grace Under Pressure and Hold Your Fire tours.
posted by 4ster at 9:02 AM on September 15, 2007

Any of the live Thin Lizzy shows are awesome.

AC/DC live at donington
posted by softlord at 9:06 AM on September 15, 2007

I 2nd Stop Making Sense.
posted by Large Marge at 9:06 AM on September 15, 2007

If only for the hilarious interviews at the end (not to mention the awe-inspiring sets, laser work, smoke and overall cheese-tacular goodness), check out Sacred Heart: The DVD by Dio.
posted by zennoshinjou at 9:10 AM on September 15, 2007

Pink Floyd Pulse
U2 Vertigo Live in Chicago, and Live in Boston, and ZooTV (Red Rocks is awesome, but not on DVD)
Talking Heads Stop Making Sense
David Byrne at the Union Chapel
David Gilmour in Concert
Roger Waters In the Flesh
Fleetwood Mac The Dance
David Bowie A Reality Tour
Pink FLoyd Live at Pompeii (NOT the "director's cut" which is the default. You have to go to another menu to find the original theatrical version. Interesting because it's "live" to an empty amphitheater.)
posted by The Deej at 9:10 AM on September 15, 2007

Seconding Gimme Shelter

Also, The Who - Live at the Isle of Wight is awesome. They are at the top of their form in this one. Moon is insane.
posted by Arch_Stanton at 9:13 AM on September 15, 2007

Queen Live at Wembley
posted by philad at 9:14 AM on September 15, 2007

AC/DC Let There Be Rock
The Black Sabbath Story
posted by Rykey at 9:15 AM on September 15, 2007

Also, David Gilmour: Remember That Night - Live from the Royal Albert Hall is out this coming Tuesday. The clips I have seen look like it's a winner.
posted by The Deej at 9:18 AM on September 15, 2007

Nthing Stop Making Sense and U2 Live at Red Rocks.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 9:19 AM on September 15, 2007

Nine Inch Nails Live: And All That Could Have Been

The Cure - Trilogy. A 2002 performance of Pornography, Disintegration and Bloodflowers.

Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture. Bowie's final performance as Ziggy Stardust.
posted by blueskiesinside at 9:28 AM on September 15, 2007 [1 favorite]

Nthing Stop Making Sense, U2 Zoo TV, and Underworld's Everything, Everything especially -- Underworld are one of the best live dance acts on the planet. I just missed a show of theirs last night in NYC (too expensive) and I'm kicking myself for it.
posted by logovisual at 9:31 AM on September 15, 2007

Gimme Shelter.

Not strictly a concert film, although there is a lot of concert footage - the Kids Are Alright.
posted by fingers_of_fire at 9:39 AM on September 15, 2007

Neil Young - Rust Never Sleeps
posted by porn in the woods at 9:41 AM on September 15, 2007

logovisual- yes, I saw Underworld ~1998 live and it was spectacular. Definitely one of the best shows I've ever been to.
posted by zennoshinjou at 9:41 AM on September 15, 2007

A second for Secret World Live. It's a great show.
posted by CunningLinguist at 9:46 AM on September 15, 2007

Also, his earlier concert video POV has Gabriel in classic makeup doing Shock the Monkey, which is not to be missed.
posted by CunningLinguist at 9:50 AM on September 15, 2007

The Chili Peppers' "Live at Slane Castle" is highly recommended. If you are into Ray Charles he has a great one, "Live in Brazil."
posted by caddis at 9:59 AM on September 15, 2007

Concert for George (Harrison)
Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert
posted by wafaa at 11:19 AM on September 15, 2007

Phish's IT DVD has some great footage, and awesome easter eggs.
posted by jimmyhutch at 11:31 AM on September 15, 2007

The Beatles Live @ Shea Stadium -- not sure where you can find this (other than bittorrent) but it's an unofficial release of an ABC network special broadcast at the time. Sound, visual quality is excellent. I've seen a lot of Beatles video and I've NEVER seen the band having this much fun. Also it's neat to see all the opening acts (King Curtis, the Discotheque Dancers etc. ) that you never hear about in connection with this show.

I wanted to scream like the 13 year old girl that I would be if I had 33 fewer years and one less penis on me.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 4:56 PM on September 15, 2007

Pearl Jam's Live at the Garden is an awesome 2 disc concert of them performing at Madison Square Garden in 2003. There are many who believe it was one of their best ever shows, and as someone who has seen a lot of Pearl Jam concerts, I'd have to say it was definitely up there with the best of `em.

And I'd also really have to recommend Metallica's S&M. If you've heard the CD of S&M, liked it but thought that because you heard the CD there's no need to buy or at least see the DVD, you're wrong. There's a lot of stuff they left out of the CD and to actually see the power with which they play their instruments (Newstead in particular) is impressive. And if you haven't heard it, then by fuck you need to hear it, because it's awesome.
posted by Effigy2000 at 5:15 PM on September 15, 2007

Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
The Kids are Alright (The Who)
Jethro Tull Nothing is easy- Live at the Ilse of Wight 1970
YES, Songs From Tsongas= 35th Anniv. tour
posted by Gungho at 7:31 PM on September 15, 2007

Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble: Live at Montreux
Gorillaz: Demon Days live
Definitely go with the original version of Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii over the Director's cut.
posted by Benjy at 10:29 PM on September 15, 2007

The Flaming Lips' "Ufos at the Zoo" is a great recording of one of the best live performers out there right now. Just released a couple weeks ago.
posted by Gortuk at 2:30 PM on September 16, 2007

T. Rex: Born To Boogie
posted by canoehead at 1:50 PM on September 17, 2007