Listening to live music is almost always a guaranteed good time. Whether you find yourself at a pop-up concert or a large music festival, live music has a unique feel to it, which recorded music simply cannot create. The Amherst Wire Staff has created a playlist of their favorite songs heard live, so keep reading to find some great tunes. You can access the tracklist on our Spotify.

Zach Steward

“Late to Da Party” by Lil Nas X

Late to Da Party is Lil Nas X’s newest song, and it serves as a diss track to BET for him being snubbed at the awards show. In true fashion and form, he declares that he doesn’t necessarily need what the award would give him because he’s HIM, but that it would be nice to have that recognition for his hard work. Yet because he’s got major popularity, clout, and the willingness to back it up and support people it’s what makes him a badass in my opinion.

Other Picks: “Break My Soul” by Beyonce, “That’s What I Want” by Lil Nas X, “Paranoid” by Kanye West, “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey

Maddie Fabian

“Hallowed Be Thy Name” by Iron Maiden

I can’t say I’m an Iron Maiden superfan, but seeing Iron Maiden with my dad in concert was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. To paint a quick picture: we were completely surrounded by 50 to 60-year-old dudes, all wearing T-shirts with the sleeves cut off and standing in the same “rock-on” stance with their pinkies index fingers pointed toward the sky… quite a sight. The performance itself was incredibly theatrical — complete with props, characters, costumes, lights and all– but Hallowed be Thy Name was definitely the most dramatic. I kid you not, there was a gigantic devil figure with beaming red eyes moving across the stage while the gray-haired band members fought with swords during instrumental breaks. Honestly, I’m not sure another live experience will have quite the same effect.

Other Picks: “Banks of the Deep End” by Gov’t Mule, “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” by Billy Joel, “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young, “Orpheus” by Sara Bareilles

Sean Dunham

“Vienna” by Billy Joel

When Billy Joel announced his tour scheduled for summer 2021, I bought tickets with my brothers in an instant. “Vienna” is a great song to sing along to with friends, especially at a sold-out Fenway Park. I remember everyone turning on their phone flashlights and waving them throughout the crowd during the song. Joel, even at 73 years old, puts on an incredible show and I’ll always remember this concert. 

Other Picks: “Graceland Too” by Phoebe Bridgers, “Eventually” by Tame Impala, “Stayaway” by MUNA

Cass Salot

“505” by Arctic Monkeys

I remember when I first heard “505” it came up in my recommendations playlist on Spotify in middle school. I had heard of Arctic Monkeys before this but never gave them a listen. But that day my entire music taste changed. “505” just immediately became my song. I always listened to it (and still do), granted it is one of the band’s most popular songs; it will still never get old and never be skipped. It’s one of those songs that if you are in a crowd and it plays you have to immediately start to jump around and get into it once the chorus hits. I imagine people singing along and jumping and just living and being in the moment, nothing would beat hearing a song played lived. From start to finish the song is just magical.

Other Picks: “Pyro” by Kings of Leon, “Close Your Eyes” by The Backseat Lovers, “From Eden” by Hozier, “Hard Times” by Paramore

Isabel Guilmette

“Band on the Run” by Wings

This summer I had the privilege of checking a big thing off my bucket list- seeing a Beatle live! Not only is it incredible that Paul McCartney is 80 years old and still doing 3-hour shows, but that they’re so unbelievably entertaining. If I could, I’d put his whole set list in here, but Band on the Run, from the Wings catalog, was an easy favorite. There’s just something about seeing  40,000 people scream “Baaaaaaaand on the run” along with a living legend that you have to see for yourself.

Other Picks: “I Know The End” by Phoebe Bridgers, “Do I Wanna Know?” by Arctic Monkeys

Patrick Shea

“The Suburbs” by Arcade Fire

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire was one of my favorite songs as a high schooler. I was petrified of growing up to become an adult with responsibilities. This song spoke to that fear. Near the end of high school my childhood friend and I saw them live. Hearing this song with someone I had watched grow up somehow made the future seem not so scary.

Other Picks: “Mr. Rager” by Kid Cudi, “Hard to Explain” by The Strokes, “Constant Headache” by Joyce Manor

Taylor Lee

“White Ferrari” by Frank Ocean

This is going to make me sound like a masochist but I want to feel exactly what Frank was feeling with the whole crowd at the same time.

Other Picks: “Self Control” by Frank Ocean, “Gravity” by EDEN, “FWM2” by Tom the Mail Man, “Trap Queen” by Fetty Wap

Follow the Amherst Wire on Twitter @AmherstWire.