Those of us old enough to remember the days of tape trading before the internet, realize how good live music fans have it now. Thanks to services such as nugs.net fans can hear official recordings from many acts shortly after each show – no B&P required. However, some artists have decided against releasing their live concerts. With that in mind, we’ve prepped a list of acts we’d love to see join the likes of Phish, Umphrey’s McGee, Metallica and Pearl Jam by issuing official recordings of each show they play:
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The Tedeschi Trucks Band are constantly adding to their repertoire both with covers and originals. In addition, the 12-piece band often welcomes special guests. Last month alone the group teamed with such guests as Ravi Coltrane, Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring – and that’s just counting their shows at New York City’s Beacon Theatre. While the TTB allows audience taping, we’d love to hear crispy official recordings of their gigs.
Dave Matthews Band
The Dave Matthews Band played over 100 different songs this past summer and utilizes a unique setlist each night. For now, the only way to hear an official recording of their new lineup featuring touring keyboardist Buddy Strong is to purchase the forthcoming Live Trax 46. Here’s hoping that one day they decide to unveil official recordings of each show shortly after they end like many of their jam scene brethren.
Grey Street – July 7, 2018 (Live Trax 46)
Wilco & Jeff Tweedy
Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy is the king of stage banter. Add all of his witty banter to their ever-changing repertoire and we’re hoping that when Wilco returns from hiatus in 2019 they will release official recordings of each show they play. We’d also like to hear official recordings of Jeff’s solo shows. Thankfully, Wilco and Tweedy do occasionally issue live show downloads as part of their Road Case series.
Radiohead
Radiohead only varies certain parts of their setlists but each show has a distinct energy. A “The National Anthem” from New York City sounds different than say a “National Anthem” played in London. Plus, they do switch it up a bit as over 60 songs were performed over the course of their tour in support of A Moon Shaped Pool. Many Radiohead fans are completists and we’d imagine they would join us in being thrilled at the opportunity of purchasing official live recordings of the shows they saw. There was a period in 2016 and 2017 when the English rockers would put out full show pro-shot videos at a regular clip via Radiohead.TV, but sadly it’s been over a year since the last release.
Radiohead @ Lollapalooza 2016
Mike Gordon
While Phish issues official recordings of each show they play just minutes after the final note, Mike Gordon doesn’t follow the same plan. Earlier this week, Mike’s five-piece finally released a batch of official recordings from 2018 shows nearly 10 months after some of them took place. Plus, only a smattering of 2018 Mike concerts are available for purchase. Considering the quintet’s vast improvisational skills, we’re hoping the floodgates open and more official recordings are put up for sale or streaming.
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell likes to joke about jam scene parlance like “bust outs” but has avoided the trend of releasing official recordings of his live shows. Sure, he recently issued a live album from his 2017 residency at The Ryman in Nashville, but we’d be thrilled to hear more from the run including all of the Tom Petty covers he played. Isbell & The 400 Unit change it up enough to make it worth both their and our while to put out official recordings of each show.
Live At The Ryman – October 13, 2017
Neil Young
Famed rocker Neil Young certainly understands the completist nature of his fanbase. Young launched the Neil Young Archives website featuring a deliciously obsurd number of studio recordings. He’s also released over a dozen live archival recordings through his Archives Performance Series. That said, Neil has yet to unveil official recordings of any 2018 concerts thus far. We’d take anything from his solo shows, to the Crazy Horse reunion concerts to his stellar performances with Promise Of The Real. Perhaps once Young gets the paywall enabled on his archives site, he’ll unleash the beasts.
Foo Fighters
Like Jeff Tweedy, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl helps tell a story with each of the band’s performances through his banter. Yes, Foo Fighters play a similar setlist each night, but they do have a few audibles within the set and will dust off a rare cover or original from time to time. Grohl often involves crowd members in the show which sometimes works out better than others. Plus, the group frequently is joined by special guests. If Metallica puts out official recordings of every concert, there’s no reason Foo Fighters can’t.
Dave Grohl Reads A Letter From A Fan – September 16, 2017
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket took 2018 off from live performances outside of their headlining appearance at this year’s One Big Holiday destination event back in March. As for now, there are no confirmed dates for 2019, but we’re being optimistic the band will return. There was a period when MMJ put out live archival recordings at a regular clip and they did put out official recordings of their One Big Holiday performances in 2017 and 2018. But those are the only My Morning Jacket shows available for purchase/streaming dating back to 2015. Jim James & Co. vary setlists sometimes more than others. Yet when they do magic happens. Take the example of their 2017 – 2018 New Year’s Run in Broomfield, Colorado. The band played a whopping 79 songs over the course of three nights including a bevy of rarities and debuts. Fans would love the ability to purchase crispy recordings of those concerts and others from the band’s past … and hopefully future.
Which acts would you like to see release official recordings of each show they play? Leave a comment on Facebook or Tweet at us with your picks.
