10 Free Concerts and Live Streams During the Pandemic

Tired of scrolling through social media? Can’t find anything on TV, and you’ve finished binge watching all of Netflix too?

How about some live music? We’ve searched far and wide for the best online concerts and live streams the internet has to offer during this unprecedented period of time when all the performers have to stay home, too.

Live Concerts from Current Stars: 

Many of the musicians we know and love are taking the opportunity to share music with their fans during this time of isolation. This is a chance for the public to see them without the glitz and glamor of celebrity life. Many perform in their homes or living rooms, take requests from live comments from viewers, and have no shame for any imperfections that may occur due to the nature of live recording. Some of these musicians go live weekly or even daily. Check out these past livestreams and their individual profiles for details on when to tune in live. 

John Legend, pop and R&B singer, has provided live sets via Instagram.

Coldplay leader Chris Martin has provided an acoustic set of the band’s songs on Instagram.

Garth Brooks – the country music star has been giving live concerts on Facebook.

The Grateful Dead – for all you deadheads out there, make sure to tune into the Shakedown Streams, live every Friday at 7 pm Central on YouTube. 

The NPR Tiny Desk Series has long been a great place to hear artists of all stripes. With the Home Concerts, you can listen to artists perform in an even more stripped down, intimate setting. 

Andrea Bocelli: Music for Hope from the Duomo cathedral in Milan 

The city of Milan invited Bocelli to record this message of love and hope for the world in a video that debuted on Easter Sunday. It’s an incredible way to listen to one of the world’s greatest opera stars performing in a gorgeous cathedral.

Watch Free Broadway Performances Online: 

If you love the stage, these performances are for you!

In The Music Must Go On!, musical theatre composer and all-around legend Andrew Loyd Webber has joined forces with Universal to show performances of his broadway musicals on YouTube free of charge.  Filmed versions of his shows are released each week on Friday and are available for viewing for 48 hours.  

Cirque du Soleil has released hour-long programs for free viewing on YouTube.

Filmed Onstage also maintains a list of many more Broadway shows to stream for free. (They’re up to 76 as of this post!)

There’s classical music, too!

With the MET Opera Online, you can watch performances of famous operas.  There’s a new one NIGHTLY, so don’t miss a chance for the drama and incredible music!

Many major symphony orchestras in the U.S. are offering live streams of performances online as well.  Here’s a complete list of orchestras across the country.  Pick your favorite!

There’s something different about experiencing musicians play music live, especially when it’s in an unconventional way. So I encourage you, keep listening, exploring new artists and genres of music, letting music inspire you, and searching for the peace and connection that music can bring during this time of uncertainty.   

Which concerts or livestreams have YOU checked out? Leave a comment below to let us know what you thought!

 

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