Your ultimate guide to live music and concert documentaries
Transform your living room into a makeshift moshpit and crank the volume to epic concerts and live music on film. Here’s how to access the powerful performances behind-the-scenes drama.
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Parkway Drive frontman Winston McCall expects fans of the globally-renowned Australian metal band will be clearing their loungerooms of furniture this weekend.
Mini circle pits mirroring the frenzied moshpit ritual at heavy rock gigs will erupt in homes around the world as the band’s acclaimed concert documentary Viva The Underdogs drops on to streaming services tomorrow.
“Oh you would be surprised how you can get that going with only a couple of people. We’ve played gigs like that in the past!” McCall said.
Parkway Drive’s latest film drops as bands and fans wrestle with the gaping hole left by the COVID-19 ban on concerts.
Many are turning to concert films to relive the unique experience of live performance and Viva The Underdogs captures the visceral energy created by band and fans which has made Parkway Drive one of the biggest heavy rock bands in the world, culminating with their headlining spot on the revered Wacken festival in Germany last year.
“That was literally the best show we have ever played and every single thing worked perfectly. We were sceptical it was going to happen up to five minutes before we played,” McCall said.
“That festival has so much legacy and prestige. For Parkway to be given a full headlining slot … it was the first time a newer kind of band like us has done that.
“In the back of your head you think everyone is going to leave the second you walk onstage. Five minutes before, we were looking out from backstage and suddenly, there were no rain clouds, we could see everyone there waiting for us and we’re thinking ‘Holy crap, this is gonna happen’.
“We got on stage and the energy grew and grew, and the show got better and better and our film crew were there to catch it all.”
The film also illustrates just how much can go wrong on a tour.
Pyros that exploded when they weren’t supposed to, a gig in Los Angeles destroyed when the sound system blew, their stage wardrobe stolen from their tour bus in Spain.
“The amount of times we got off stage after something stuffed up and went ‘Well, at least we got that on film’,” McCall said, laughing.
“The cool thing with the movie is it captured the failures really well because they were supposed to be successes and we didn’t want to have to manufacture drama for the sake of it.”
McCall isn’t a fan of concert films only because he inevitably watches them from a professional perspective, spotting all the things he would change.
Alternative pop artist Sarah Blasko is the opposite. Whenever she has seen a clip of her historic concert at the Sydney Opera House on her 2013 I Awake tour, she reconnects with the realisation of her dream to record and perform with an orchestra. It will screen tomorrow from 8pm as part of the From Our House To Yours digital program of events.
Blasko, whose favourite concert film is the seminal Talking Heads movie Stop Making Sense, said her joyous memories of that acclaimed concert overtake any personal criticisms she may have had at the time.
“It was the most satisfying, joyous, dream-come-true tour I have ever done,” she said.
“To be standing in front of an orchestra every night … I actually cried during the last show of that tour because I loved it so much.”
Her 2013 concert was the first the Opera House had livestreamed from the Concert Hall, which is now closed until late next year for renovations.
Fans craving a reconnection with live music are also being catered for by Foxtel’s music and arts channels with a raft of concert films in the coming weeks, including the historic Fire Fight Australia bushfire benefit on V.
STREAM CONCERTS
The MAX channel will broadcast a concert film each Thursday during May, kicking off with master showman Robbie Williams: Live In Tallinn on May 7, followed by Phil Collins: One Night Only, Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers Live – Fonda Theatre and finally Sam Smith: In Concert.
Smooth Arts will air The Seekers Farewell Concert this evening and Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday.
HERE’S SOME OF THE BEST EVER LIVE MUSIC ON FILM
Shut Up and Play The Hits , LCD Soundsystem(for rent iTunes, YouTube)
This concert documentary follows the seminal American music-makers as they prepare for what frontman James Murphy declared would be their final concert at Madison Square Gardens on April 2, 2011. Thankfully, it wasn’t.
Stop Making Sense, Talking Heads (for rent iTunes, YouTube)
This 1984 concert film shot over four nights in Hollywood is hailed as the best rock movie ever made. Directed by future Oscar winner Jonathan Demme, the artfully staged gig is also memorable for David Byrne’s big suit.
Homecoming, Beyonce (Netflix)
It is difficult to imagine how any pop artist could conceive of a concert production to best Beyonce’s Coachella performance in 2018. The documentary not only shares the show but the historical importance and personal struggle behind its realisation.
Springsteen on Broadway (Netflix)
The Boss decided to turn his Born To Run memoir into a one-man show which extended way beyond its originally planned six week run to 236 shows. This is the next best thing to being there with Springsteen delivering an unforgettable and authentic theatrical music experience.
Midnight Oil 1984 (Stan)
This incendiary concert documentary explores a crucial year in the band’s legendary career. Frontman Peter Garrett was campaigning with the Nuclear Disarmament Party as the Oils were at the height of their powers and were about to release the Red Sails In the Sunset record.
The Last Waltz (Stan)
Martin Scorsese directed this music doco which captured the Canadian/American group The Band performing what was billed as their final gig in 1976. It features the most star-studded cameos ever at a concert including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.
Elvis Presley, ’68 Comeback Special (YouTube)
This is a fascinating and bewildering TV special combining stripped-back performances of Presley with his band and choreographed set pieces.
Lizzo, NPR Tiny Desk Concert
This could be the best 17 minutes of your day. Just as she was blowing up worldwide, the pop artist let loose with that golden instrument for this live series by the American radio network.
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party (rent iTunes, YouTube)
Part doco, comedy special and concert, the famed comedian enlisted hip hop and neo-soul A-listers including Kanye West, Mos Def, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and The Fugees.
Amazing Grace, Aretha Franklin
The long lost film, recorded in 1972 and finally released in 2018, captured the Queen of Soul recording her gospel album.
Originally published as Your ultimate guide to live music and concert documentaries
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