Are you too broke to go to live concerts? Do you live in an island nation that your favourite artist won’t ever come to? Or maybe they came to Aotearoa, but now it’s over and the post-concert depression is hitting too hard? Let me introduce you to the world of YouTube live concerts.
Music is at its most impactful when its live. When you can see the micro expressions of the singer, the grimace of the guitarist during a technical riff, the flow state of the drummer. When you’re exposed to the speed and grace of the musicians and can see the beauty first-hand. It becomes more than just vibrations in the air – it becomes something you can engage with. Recorded music is just you and the song, live music forms a relationship between the performer and you. There is a rawness to it that is human: it’s unpolished and unedited, there are mistakes and off script additions, each show has soul. Capturing the essence of this and sharing it with the world is at the heart of YouTube live concerts.
NPR music. KEXP. Triple J like a version: the Holy Trinity of YouTube live concerts, each with their own niche. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts capture your attention due to the absurdity of a concert at an office desk: Cramped and out of place. The incredible performance quality, with thier range of involved artists, there’s always someone new to watch. KEXP have a radio broadcast, conbining both interview style, and casual conversation. This allows the audience to connect with the act, giving you a look inside their lives. Triple J like a version facilitates bands covering well known songs, bringing new and fresh sounds to popular songs, they quite often add a totally unexpected energy to a song we know well.
So, next time you’re chilling in the flat, put some live music on the TV, there are some incredible performances that are worth watching, and I guarantee one of your favourite artists will have a set that will light you up in the way that only live music can.
