25 classic concerts you can stream right now

The King's notable return to music, after years of making movies, was a big hit with fans. And NBC aired the prerecorded performances in December 1968. A good chunk of Elvis' classic tunes are in the mix, and it's one of his most down-home settings he performed in his career. The entire concert special is available to YouTube subscribers, but fans can also piecemeal each song, along with Presley's commentary, for free. 

Widely considered one of the great live albums of all time, the Queen of Soul is at her best within the confines of the famed San Francisco music room. The show can be found on YouTube in black and white but with quality sound that does not take anything away from Franklin's magical voice. Getting together with Ray Charles on "Spirit in the Dark" was a special moment that should be cherished.   

The country legend passed away recently at age 81. Since, there have been countless tributes on the internet and a good amount of "The Gambler's" concerts have popped up. One of the most notable, and well produced, is his 1983 HBO special that can be found on YouTube. All the Rogers classics are there, including "We've Got Tonight" with special guest Sheena Easton.

It's obviously not easy settling on just one great Rolling Stones concert that's out there for your viewing pleasure. However, this is a true gem from the Steel Wheels Tour of the late 1980s . Bill Wyman was still on bass, and the band sounded strong. Guest appearances from Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Eric Clapton and John Lee Hooker add to the magic. Oh yeah, the show was presented by Trump Plaza but is available without Trump's authority on YouTube.  

For those who do not own the DVD (remember those) version of this terrific show from England, it's there for your viewing and listening pleasure on YouTube. The set truly captures Nirvana's raw aggression, something that often was obviously lost within the polish of its studio work. It's also fun to go back and hear/see songs like "Aneurysm" and "Lounge Act" played at their raunchy, dirty best. 

It would be Tupac Shakur's final concert, a little more than two months before he was murdered in Las Vegas. The show, which featured an appearance by Snoop Dogg, was released in album form and eventually on DVD nearly 10 years later and here via YouTube. Keep in mind for the youngsters who are into rap/hip hop nostalgia that this is an uncensored video, so parents might want to check it out first. Otherwise, it's a reminder of how talented Tupac was — and what more there was to offer.

This is a truly sensational set from the Beasties available on YouTube and features all the classics — "Sure Shot," "So What'cha Want" and "Sabotage." Plus, a few deep cuts and special treasures are included. The collective and individual talent of Mike D (Michael Diamond), Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz) and MCA (the late Adam Yauch) is on display during this performance and a reason why the boys are so beloved.

Coachella has provided the backdrop for many memorable performances, and plenty consider Daft Punk's set in '06 to be one of the greatest. Why? Because the French electronic duo turned a packed house into one unified dance party while keeping the moment sane and entertaining. This was Daft Punk's lone 2006 performance in the United States and one that won't be forgotten by those there — and, perhaps, anybody who checks it out on YouTube.

Getting the opportunity to enjoy Radiohead live is truly an experience. Those fortunate enough to be in Chicago to see the band close out the festivities is one of the best in the history of the festival. The good news: Fans who missed out on this show can watch (most of it, at least,) on YouTube at your leisure. "Fake Plastic Trees" with a fireworks show in the background is pretty special. 

Bringing Dre and Snoop together is a party in itself. Being this came at Coachella only added to the fun. The two rappers-turned-media moguls are larger than life, and this might have been the most anticipated performance in the history of the event. (OK, the NWA reunion is in there, too.) The Tupac Shakur hologram appearance still resonates with fans who were there, and it should for those who watch on YouTube.  

Every death associated with the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic is a tragedy, and one of the notable passings was that of Fountains of Wayne bassist/co-founder and talented songwriter Adam Schlesinger. This gig from the Connecticut music hall showcases the group's collected excellence and that it's known for more than recording "Stacy's Mom." Opener "Little Red Light," "Red Dragon Tattoo" and pop classic "Radiation Vibe" are all highlights via YouTube.

One year after making his Lolla debut, Chicago's own Chance The Rapper was headlining a stage at the popular festival in his hometown. Chance has essentially been a regular in one form or another on the Lollapalooza scene since then. This performance is still one that stands out among the rest, and the fact fans can watch on YouTube makes it easier to see the charisma and overall talent of this massively popular entertainer.

We need some K-Pop on this list. Fans of the modern Korean pop music that's taken the globe by storm in recent years can be enjoyed through Netflix. Stars of the K-Pop movement, such as Monsta X, Got7 and Halo, are all involved in this monster event from last decade. It's also quite entertaining to watch the crowd reaction, which rivals what we saw when the Beatles landed stateside.  

Paul McCartney? At Lollapalooza, in front of dehydrated, living-for-the-moment, tech-savvy millennials (mostly)? Yes. And, Sir Paul delivered one of the great performances in the history of the long-standing festival on July 31, 2015, in Chicago. Armed with such Beatles classics as "Eleanor Rigby," "Let It Be" and "Hey Jude," it proved to be a two-plus-hour sing-along for the ages. And it's on YouTube for the taking, without having to endure the crowd and sweat.

Courtesy of Netflix, we join J.T. and his ensemble at Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena at the end of his 20/20 Experience World Tour. The documentary looks into the concert is done quite well and proves the giant talent Timberlake is in on stage no matter who surrounds him. Though in this case, Timberlake's support squad is a huge reason this show stands out among others available to stream.

This is often considered one of the all-time great sets in Lollapalooza history. Following a half-decade hiatus, James Murphy and Co. returned in 2016 with a vengeance, especially on the final day of the Chicago festival that year. The electronica stars played so well and so tight, considering it had been a while since we'd seen them last — when we thought we would never hear the collective again. You can too, on YouTube.

There are some who think Arcade Fire has worn out its welcome. That was before the band proved it's still among one of the great live acts around, following this stellar set on the final day of the '17 event in Chicago. The band fired on all cylinders while promoting its most recent studio effort, "Everything Now." However, it was the Régine Chassagne-fronted "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" from 2010's "The Suburbs" that highlighted the show via YouTube. 

Those subscribers of CBS All Access have a chance to check out the country superstar during his memorable show at the University of Notre Dame. It's certainly one of the more notable venues Brooks has played and the first such concert at the same stadium where the likes of the Four Horseman and Knute Rockne roamed. Despite poor weather, Brooks and his band delivered above and beyond. 

Fans of these indie/alt rockers are likely no stranger to this show that can be found on YouTube. However, for those who might have a little more time on their hands at the moment, and are looking for a creative and all-encompassing rock band to adopt, should give The National a try. This is a good starting point and one of the group's best performances, especially on "Graceless" from 2013's "Trouble Will Find Me."

Another tough loss for the entertainment world to COVID-19 was legendary country/folk singer-songwriter John Prine. There have been plenty of tributes out there to the multiple Grammy Award winner, who had fans from Johnny Cash all the way to Pink Floyd. There's plenty of live footage of Prine available, but this intimate, 45-minute set from Toronto (with fellow songwriting great Gordon Lightfoot in the crowd) is a must-see. "When I Get To Heaven" is a fitting closer to a show that can be found on YouTube.

Another offering for subscribers of Netflix, Swift's uber-successful 2018 tour takes us to Arlington, Texas. It comes with the star in all her glory, with the massive production for a memorable New Year's Eve Show. Swift's set includes guest appearances from Camilla Cabello and Charli XCX. Fans can also catch Swift as part of the "One World: Together at Home" stream (April 18) on Yahoo! Entertainment.

One can't have a list like this without the presence of Beyonce. We go back to England's Glastonbury Festival (which is canceled this year) for one of her most memorable performances on the famed Pyramid Stage. Kicking off with "Crazy in Love" then going into "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," the show is high energy, high octane and a must for any fan of the pop star — or even those who view her as a guilty pleasure. If that's the case, head to YouTube for a number of the performances.  

One of the first bands to stream a live show during the coronavirus pandemic was the Murphys, whose St. Patrick's Day shows have become a rite of passage among their dedicated fans. With public gatherings eliminated due to the health crisis, the band did not let its fans down and put on a stellar show within an empty studio. The gig, which features such staples as "The Boys Are Back," "Workers Song" and "The State of Massachusetts," can be seen on YouTube.

The famed Italian opera singer drew more than 20 million viewers to his Easter performance from Milan. During a time of crisis, especially in Italy which was hit especially hard by COVID-19, it's an inspiring performance that all music fans should be able to appreciate — perhaps, more so now than ever. Check it out free on YouTube. Like Taylor Swift, Bocelli will be part of the "One World: Together at Home" stream.

Springsteen on Broadway has been a massive live hit, and now fans of The Boss can check out his intimate stage show on Netflix. The legendary storyteller takes audiences, and now viewers, through the ups and downs of his life, interweaving classics such as "Growin' Up," "Thunder Road" and "Born to Run." Those unable to see the show in person will not be disappointed with this streaming version on Netflix.