Listing out the top live rock performances of all time is highly subjective. But there are those few shows that, once we see, we can not forget.
Because live music can be so much more than a good night out. It can be ground-breaking, symbolic and live-changing. Here is the list of the most epic live rock performances of all time.
Metallica – “Enter Sandman”
In 1991, the Tushino Airfield in Moscow hosted the Monsters of Rock Festival during the final days of the Soviet Union. Metallica headlined (along with other giants like AC/DC and Panera) in front of an estimated 1.6 million exhilarated people, who were just experiencing freedom for the first time. The show still holds the record for one of the largest concerts in history — and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” performance is arguably the most remembered performance from the show. It has been watched over 30 million times on YouTube, as you can see for yourself.
Nirvana – MTV Unplugged in New York
Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance included some of the band’s iconic hits, but it was also full of covers that highlighted the music that built and inspired them. Much more reserved than their typical performances, Unplugged gave the audience a more intimate look at Kurt and the rest of the band. Three songs were covered from the Meat Puppets, a haunting rendition of Leadbelly’s song “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” was played, and David Bowie’s classic “The Man Who Sold the World” is a fan favorite. It was the first Nirvana release after the suicide of singer Kurt Cobain seven months prior, which makes the personal vibe of the album that much more revered. Here is a look at the band’s David Bowie cover.
The Beatles – Shea Stadium
This 1965 show was the first ever open-air stadium rock concert in the U.S., paving the way for other stadium concerts. The format was very experimental for that time, and the performance was turned into an hour-long documentary and showcased the Beatlmania that had swept the world. If you watch the footage, you’ll see the band in the middle of the baseball diamond engulfed by hordes of screaming teens.
Led Zeppelin – Royal Albert Hall
This live show, which was immortalized on film and later released on DVD, was nothing short of electric. Not only did drummer John Bonham play a fifteen-minute rendition of Moby Dick, guests attending the event included John Lennon, Germaine Greer, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck.
Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash’s performance at Folsom Prison, took place in 1968 and is the first live album by the American singer-songwriter. It is also the first in a series of live prison performances from Cash (San Quentin State Prison is another well-known show). This performance; however, is the one that revitalized the artist’s career.
Jimi Hendrix – Woodstock
Jimi Hendrix and his weekend-closing performance started at 8:30am on Monday morning and although this performance is widely regarded as one of the best rock & roll performances of all time, attendance for the set was considerably low. What makes this performance so memorable is his powerful interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, where he uses his iconic white Fender Stratocaster to squeal, scream and almost imitate the sound of machine guns, which given that this was during the height of the Vietnam War, many have taken his performance to be an anti-war protest.
Queen – LiveAid
The old Wembley Stadium was the setting for one of the greatest live concerts ever staged: Live Aid. Performing artists included greats like The Who, U2, David Bowie, Elton John and many more. But of all the high-caliber artists have gone on record to say that Queen’s Live Aid performance stole the whole show with a magnificent, 21-minute medley of hits showcasing all the theatrics they’re known for.
David Bowie – Glastonbury (2000)
This performance, which also became a live album, took place in front of an estimated 250,000 people. It is often dubbed as the single greatest performance at the Glastonbury Festival.
Not only was the performance itself spectacular, but by the time Bowie took the stage, he had already spent 15-odd years experimenting and reinventing his style, so by the time of this show he had an array of hits–and he played them all. Bowie performed songs like “China Girl,” “Changes,” “Golden Years,” “Ashes to Ashes”“Let’s Dance,” “Under Pressure” and more for a roaring crowd.
Pink Floyd – The Wall
Pink Floyd’s 1979 rock opera, The Wall, was such a theatrical album, that when they took it on tour they knew a traditional stage would simply not do. Pushing the limits of concert technology, they built an actual wall during the first half of every show, then played the bulk of the second half behind it, obscured from the audience. The most dramatic moment of the show happened near the end, when the wall came tumbling down startling the audience in the first few rows. Definitely one of the best rock performances ever!
