I’d like to dive right into sharing the videos because the music and performances speak for themselves. I think the great concert films do two things: they capture the unique charisma and appeal of the solo act, band, or festival; and they capture the time and place that allowed for them to flourish. What makes superstardom so special is that it’s a very bright, but short-lived event. When a film can captures this moment of immolation during a live concert, it’s like they’ve captured lightning in a bottle.
Here are my favorite rock concerts on film, in no particular order, and without any attempt at pithy commentary.