The best gigs live streaming online featuring Metallica, Neil Young and more

(Image credit: NurPhoto / Getty)

Musicians may be locked down but they're still up for playing shows - and live streaming allows some incredible opportunities for them to connect with audiences right now. Live streaming services are in such demand right now we could see a longer sea change in the way we watch live acts, but for now, here's some of the best gigs coming soon, or available to watch immediately.

And don't forget to check back as we'll be updating it regularly. 

Ben Gibbard - Live From Home 

The Death Cab For Cutie man was one for the first to join the Live From Home livestream movement started by Chris Thile and he treated fans to a few – including Death Cab and Postal Service songs alongside some well-chosen covers.

This one was covers-only and saw the following played:

Half A World Away – REM
Just Like Heaven – The Cure
Everyday Is Like Sunday – Morrissey
Out of Touch – Hall & Oates
Strange Powers – The Magnetic Fields
Harvest Moon – Neil Young
Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends – Kris Kristofferson
The Only Living Boy in New York – Simon & Garfunkel
Hold On – Spiritualized


Lamb Of God - 7pm Friday 27 March 

(Image credit: Travis Shinn)

After their Spring tour with Kreator was postponed, Lamb Of God have announced  they will broadcast their live set from the Resurrection Festival last year on Knotfest.com today, from 7pm UK time. During the broadcast, guitarist Mark Morton will chat live to fans in the chatroom. 


James Bay guitar lessons – ongoing

Bay has already started teaching fans how to play his songs on Instagram Live and plans to continue with guitar lessons. Hold Back The River (above) and Let It Go are already available to watch. 


Calvin Harris - Love Regenerator 

Above is the second of Harris's Quarantine mixes   – set starts at 11:44  – proving geography can't keep one of the world's highest paid DJs down. 


Elton John with Billie Eilish, Dave Grohl and more - now

Elton John hosted an all-star benefit special this Sunday (29 March)  from his living room, featuring Dave Grohl, Alicia Keys, Backstreet Boys, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Camila Cabello, H.E.R., Mariah Carey, Sam Smith, and Tim McGraw, from their own living rooms.

It's raised $8 million so far for FeedingAmerica and First Responders Children’s Foundation.


Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart and Vince Gill - now 

The country superstar and Tele addict joined fellow country guitar icons Marty Stuart and Vince Gill for a  Grand Ole Opry set on Saturday (March 28). Unsurprisingly, this is showcase of incredible guitar playing a song craft. 


Samantha Fish - every Friday 

Samantha Fish rarely takes time off from the road so she's staying busy by performing songs on Facebook every Friday above and here .  

This uncertain time is bringing out the best in many artists right now as they find ways of connecting with their fans and each other. We love the fact technology allows Fish to jam with fellow blues artist Jonathan Long via an iPad. 


Third Man Records – daily livestream 

Jack White's label has started Third Man Public Access to offer daily performances. The first was a performance by Nashville pedal steel player Luke Schneider. His debut Altar of Harmony is released on 15 May via Third Man. 

“I sincerely hope this music can bring folks some calm and inspiration during this uneasy time,” says Schneider. 


Passenger - Isolation Sunday

The acoustic songwriter has been playing live from home for the last two Sundays. Check out the cover of Chris Isaak's Wicked Game 15 minutes in. 


Code Orange - now 

When the Pittsburgh metallers' hometown launch show for album Underneath was postponed responded they simply carried on and played the empty venue anyway, inviting fans to watch in real-time via Twitch. 

More than 13,000 did and it's a unique, somewhat surreal performance - showcasing Code Orange vocalist Jami Morgan stepping out from the drumkit onstage for the first time. 


Mick Gordon - Doom Eternal live music demo

A rare livestream opportunity to see how the acclaimed Doom soundtrack composer Mick Gordon works – a must for anyone interested in video game soundtracks or Doom in general. 


Seasick Steve – every Sunday 

(Image credit: Seasick Steve)

 

Seasick Steve’s new album Love & Peace has been moved back back to 24 July with many of his shows rearranged too, but every Sunday at 8pm (UK time) he'll live- stream a performance of a different song via his Facebook page.


Diplo - ongoing 

“While we’re all in self imposed quarantine and I’m grounded from playing shows I am going to get creative and make up random sets and shows live from my house,” Diplo said as he introduced his first virtual DJ set on Instagram. You'll also get a peak at his interesting looking room filled with giant plants and bizarre props. 


Metallica - every Monday

Not a live gig in the true sense but Metallica Monday's will see a different past gig added to Hetfield & Co's YouTube channel. Starting with Slane Castle from last year   


The White Buffalo - 5 April 

(Image credit: White Buffalo)

The White Buffalo (aka Jake Smith) has new record On The Widow’s Walk coming out on 17 April but for a songwriter who relies on touring, the pandemic is going to hit hard. So for fans missing out the Americana musician has decided to preview the release with a special concert stream and fan chat.

It's happening on new platform Cadenza.tv and promises a 'premium quality' event that will see The White Buffalo play new material from the forthcoming album as well as fan favourites. There will be a live Q&A session after the set.
 
Access costs $10 USD and the show will start on 5 April at 12pm PST (8pm). More info here.  
 


Jimmy Eat World - now and every Friday 

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World  live-streamed a great five-song acoustic set in the band's Arizona rehearsal studio surrounded by amps. 

The band are planning on making live stream performances a regular thing every Friday and will encourage fans to 'tip' a different small business every week that has supported the band over the years. 


Neil Young - Fireside Sessions

(Image credit: NurPhoto / Getty)

Neil Young playing deep cuts out in the snow, at the piano and by the fire. What's not to like here? The second session can be watch over at neilyoungarchives.com


Chris Martin – now

The Coldplay man played a 20-minute set as part of the Live From Home series, playing songs including Yellow and David Bowie's Life On Mars. 

Rob Laing
Reviews Editor, GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars

Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.