Five Live Music Moments That Speak to my Soul

The thing I dislike most about books is the inability to create real sound. Sure, you can write about how something sounds, maybe even use onomatopoeia to capture a “bang” or a “crash.” But music, especially live music, is a massive part of my life. I wish there were a way to embed a performance video into a manuscript, allowing readers to feel what I feel when I’m there, experiencing it in person. So here’s a blog post that attempts to capture that feeling.

Here are five live performances that create an indescribable feeling in my bones. A mix of elation, sadness, love—and something else that can only be described as feeling alive.

1) “Stairway to Heaven” – Performed by Heart at the Kennedy Center, a Tribute to Led Zeppelin (2012)

On October 12, 2012, the Kennedy Center honored Led Zeppelin with a tribute attended by a crowd full of celebrities. This performance, arguably of their most well-known song, captures the essence of the band. Heart, led by singer Ann Wilson, performed “Stairway to Heaven,” accompanied by Jason Bonham, son of Zeppelin’s late drummer, John Bonham. The most magical moment comes at 4:20 in the video, when the back curtain rises to reveal a choir singing the song’s outro. Tears fill Robert Plant’s eyes, and he allegedly told Ann Wilson afterward: “Your performance made me fall in love with that song again.”

2) “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” – Performed by Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynn, and Dhani Harrison at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2004)

When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Prince and Beatles guitarist and songwriter George Harrison, a tribute performance was put together with some of the greatest guitarists of the time. Though George Harrison had passed away eleven years earlier, his son, Dhani, joined to honor his legacy. The biggest name on stage was Prince, but he famously skipped rehearsal the night before, telling the others, “Don’t worry about it. Just give me three minutes at the end to solo, and everything will work out.” At the 3:30 mark in the video, Prince launches into one of the most famous guitar solos of all time, leaving Petty, Harrison, Winwood, and the rest in awe.

3) “Jungleland” – Performed by Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, live in New York City (1999)

Most performances of “Jungleland” bring me to tears, but especially this one in New York City, where Bruce and the band pour themselves into a song dedicated to the streets of New York and New Jersey. Stevie Van Zandt’s guitar solo is iconic, but the true magic happens at 4:15, as saxophonist Clarence Clemons can be seen quietly praying to himself, before he steps forward for a powerful, soulful solo. Halfway through, you see Bruce shouting, “Yeah!”—and at the end, he and Clarence share a quiet, beautiful moment as the piano takes over.

4) “505” – Performed by Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane, at Glastonbury (2013)

Before their final song at Glastonbury in 2013, Alex Turner gives a shoutout to his mother, who was in the crowd on her birthday. After the crowd joins in singing “Happy Birthday” to her, he welcomes Miles Kane, guitarist of The Last Shadow Puppets and his best friend, to close the show with “505.” At 4:25, the song crescendos, and the lights illuminate the sea of fans, singing, dancing, and waving their flags. As Kane plays the final notes, Turner salutes the crowd like a rock god.

5) “All Along the Watchtower” – Performed by Dave Matthews Band, at Central Park (2003)

Just two years after 9/11, Dave Matthews Band played a benefit show outdoors at Central Park, packed with guest appearances, covers of popular songs, and unforgettable musical moments. My personal favorite is their performance of Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower.” The video opens with a captivating bass solo that builds tension, leading into Matthews’ acoustic guitar. At 5:52, Matthews sings, “No reason to get excited,” and the band bursts in, lighting up the crowd. As the chorus approaches, Matthews holds the final note of “The hour is getting late,” and the band explodes in sound. The entire performance is spectacular. This was the last live song I shared with my late friend, Jason Cornaglia, making it especially meaningful to me.

So that’s my list. Did I miss anything? I could have included Queen at Live Aid or Metallica in Moscow, but these are the ones that speak to me most. Feel free to drop your favorite live performances in the comments—I’d love to check them out.

Whalers explores the power of music on the human soul. Make sure to check it out when it releases in early 2025.