Watch These Free Music Concerts From Home During Lockdown

The Covid-19 pandemic has called on citizens across the globe to stay at home and practice social distancing. As a result, several music concerts and tours have had to either be cancelled or postponed. But local and international musicians haven’t shown disheartened spirits in this time. In fact, they’re offering free music concerts from their homes instead!

Musical artists from around the world are taking turns to live-stream concerts on social media from their homes. They’re showing their support for the #stayathome movement, while also reassuring fans that the show, indeed, can go on.

ALSO SEE: Explore The World From Your Couch With These Virtual Museum Tours

Music concerts that you may have missed, and where to rewatch them: 

Inimitable musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has kept himself busy in self-isolation by taking requests from fans. The composer has been posting videos on Twitter, answering fan questions, asking for video responses and playing some of his notable compositions on piano. On March 19, he played ‘All I Ask of You’ from his world-renowned musical Phantom of the Opera. 

I didn’t think I’d ever get such a response to this little tryout! Here I am in my own self-isolation. The song that came out on top was ‘All I Ask Of You’ – ALW pic.twitter.com/NCSujNwBPd

— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) March 19, 2020

As you can tell, the composer is in wonderfully high spirits. The following day, he posted another video on Twitter – this time performing ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’, also from Phantom of the Opera. 

What an incredible number of responses we have received to All I Ask Of You! As requested by many of you, including @KChenoweth, here's Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, as well as a bit of insight into a hidden secret on Phantom – #TeamALW #MusicInIsolation pic.twitter.com/ac7GCwkFpr

— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) March 20, 2020

Short music concerts on Instagram have become popular, too…

Singer-songwriter Pink (who recently tested positive for Covid-19) took to Instagram to share her version of Bob Dylan’s ‘Make You Feel My Love’. She admits that it’s still in the rehearsal phase, but that doesn’t make it any less impactful.

View this post on Instagram

To make you feel my love ? rehearsals

A post shared by P!NK (@pink) on Mar 16, 2020 at 5:13pm PDT

Ben Gibbard, singer of Death Cab for Cutie, has already offered a few livestream sessions via YouTube and Instagram called ‘Ben Gibbard: Live From Home’. He takes song requests from fans, while sharing sweet stories in-between. View the playlist of all of Ben’s sessions here.

Most musicians have live-streamed their concerts while interacting with viewers

Popular R’n’B singer John Legend live-streamed an at-home video via Instagram, taking requests from fans. He started the session off with a Stevie Wonder cover. The singer’s wife, Chrissy Teigen, later joins her husband with a glass of wine in hand. John’s soulful, soothing voice and Chrissy’s witty banter is exactly the tonic we need during these times.

Coldplay’s Christ Martin gave fans an intimate show, too. The rest of the band couldn’t make it, so Chris played snippets of songs alone at the piano. He took requests from fans, admitting at times when he couldn’t remember the requested tracks. An endearing and completely entertaining performance.

ALSO SEE: Best Escapist Series To Watch During Lockdown

Norah Jones serenaded fans with a 20-minute video on Facebook. Her performance is moving and packed with subtle nuances. It’s pure sonic delight wrapped up in Norah’s familiar, comforting voice. Watch the video below.

Singer-songwriter Neil Young also jumped on the live-performance trend, offering renditions of songs with raw at-home footage. The video shows snow falling as Neil walks outside at first, playing an acoustic guitar and harmonica. Later, Neil is seated at a piano indoors. The unconventional video is similar to Neil’s laidback, gentle singing style. Watch the 26-minute-long video here.

Local musicians have also given live-streamed music concerts

Jacques Moolman from Joburg-based band Shadowclub played two at-home sessions via Facebook last Saturday. His performance is emotive and chilling, offering a wonderful blues and rock ‘n’ roll experience.

Country singer Keith Urban gave fans an electrifying show via Facebook. His wife, actress Nicole Kidman, happily danced about as Keith smashed out groovy tunes. Watch Keith’s second live-streamed video here.

ALSO SEE: 21 Small Businesses You Can Support During Lockdown

By Features Writer Marike Watson