Late Night Performances
Foo Fighters Debut “Shame Shame”, Dust Off “Times Like These” on SNL: Watch
Foo Fighters kicked off the promotional cycle behind their new album Medicine at Midnight by serving as the musical guest on this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live. Dave Grohl and co. performed their newly released lead single, “Shame Shame”, live for the first time. They later returned to the stage and dusted off “Times Like These’ in celebration of today’s election results. Replay both performances below. This weekend’s episode of SNL marked Foo Fighters’ ninth time serving as musical guest. Prior to last night, they most recently appeared on the show’s 2017 Christmas episode in support of their ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold. Foo Fights’ tenth album, Medicine at Midnight, is due out on February 5th, 2021. [embedded content] [embedded content] Related You Deserve to Make Mo...
Christine and the Queens Performs “People, I’ve been sad” on Corden: Watch
The original Queen of the Quarantine Performance returned on Thursday night, as Christine and the Queens beamed into Corden to sing “People, I’ve been sad”. Throughout 2020, Chris has delivered some of the most stunning lockdown performances around. Whether covering Springsteen on Instagram, dancing through an empty venue on Fallon, or singing from a window ledge on Colbert, the French pop star has consistently found ways to make each of her appearances uniquely beautiful. For last night’s rendition of her La Vita Nuova EP lead single, Christine and the Queens took over Paris’ Musée des Beaux-Arts (the Museum of Fine Arts). And it may have been her most gorgeous late night spot yet. Asked in a pre-performance interview why she chose the location, Chris explained, “Around this EP, I’ve...
James Blake Covers Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed” on Fallon: Watch
Back in September, James Blake released his official studio cover of Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed”. On Thursday, the UK crooner brought his acclaimed rendition to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Broadcasting outside from a wooded area, Blake performed the Blonde cut on his trusty piano (and still with his blonde-dyed hair). The whole thing was wonderfully serene, especially with the sunlight peeking through the canopy of trees around him. Blake, of course, is intimately acquainted with “Godspeed”, as he provided both production and arrangement on Ocean’s original version. Watch the video replay below. Blake has been on a bit of a covers streak since the pandemic began. In recent months, he’s also tackled Nirvana’s “Come as You Are”, Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You”, Radiohead’s ...
Common Performs “Say Peace” on Fallon with Black Thought: Watch
Common linked up with Black Thought and PJ for a new performance of “Say Peace” on Wednesday’s episode of The Tonight Show. The song is off Common’s jazzy new album A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1, which came out last Friday, October 30th. Like so many pandemic performances, “Say Peace” was a combination late-night concert, livestream, and music video. Common and Black Thought rapped in a sound stage together, while a projection of PJ floated behind. The song also included imagery of peaceful protests and young people holding up a single fist representing Black power. Watch it below. Over the summer, Common and John Legend paid tribute to late congressman John Lewis with a DNC rendition of the Oscar-winner “Glory”. Last month, Black Thought released his own excellent solo album Strea...
The Kills Perform “Raise Me” on Corden: Watch
James Corden is well aware that not many people are tuning into The Late Late Show this week, what with everyone on pins and needles about the election results. He even said as much during his “Honest Headlines” segment last night. Yet ever the consummate host, Corden soldiered on with his late-night program, welcoming The Kills for a quick chat and performance. The rock duo were there to promote their Little Bastards rarities compilation by playing the lead single, “Raise Me”. Admittedly, it’s a bit odd seeing two such powerful performers as Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince locked into a small home studio space instead of tearing into a stage. That said, the sound was pretty impeccable, with Mosshart’s voice as sharp as ever and Hince simultaneously playing a keyboard and hammering on...
Arcade Fire Debut New Song “Generation A” on Colbert’s Election Night Special: Watch
Arcade Fire on Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand: Building Back America Great Again Better 2020 Arcade Fire debuted a brand new song called “Generation A” as part of their appearance on Stephen Colbert’s election night special on Showtime. In introducing the performance, Colbert described the song as “inspired by the current climate of the country with a hopeful message to the youths.” Musically, “Generation A” hears Arcade Fire continue to embrace the wilder synth sounds heard on their previous two records, albeit with a driving thud of bass that gives the song a punk oomph. “They say wait until you’re ready,” sings frontman Win Butler. “Wait until your number’s called/ They say wait, all we need is love/ But darling, California’s burning, New ...
Big Boi, Sleepy Brown, and Killer Mike Perform “We the Ones (Remix)” on Fallon: Watch
It was Atlanta night in New York City on Monday as Big Boi and Sleepy Brown brought their new remix of “We the Ones” to The Tonight Show. They were joined by fellow Dungeon Family alums Killer Mike and Big Rube. In its original form, “We the Ones” appeared on the self-titled 2017 EP from production trio Organized Noize, of which Brown is a member. Bigs Boi and Rube were already present, but it took last month’s remix to add Killer Mike of Run the Jewels. The track has always been a protest song, but since it came out Killer Mike has become one of the most notable voices of the resistance. His verse added a new perspective centered around aspiration and faith. After an introduction from Jimmy Fallon, the song opened with Big Rube at a podium labelled with the official “Seal o...
Tracy Chapman Makes Rare TV Appearance to Perform “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” on Seth Meyers: Watch
Tracy Chapman very rarely makes TV appearances, but she did so Monday night to remind viewers to vote on Election Day. The 56-year-old songwriter delivered her urgent message via a stirring performance of “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” on Seth Meyers. Watch below. “This is the most important election of our lifetime. It is imperative that everyone vote to restore our democracy,” Chapman remarked prior to the televised broadcast, her first since 2015. In his own statement about Chapman’s performance, Meyers said, “I’ve always thought Tracy Chapman’s music skips your ears and goes straight to your heart. I’m so honored and excited to have her on the show. She’s living proof you can be a great artist while also speaking out for what you believe in.” Editors’ Picks Although Chap...
Perfume Genius Performs “Jason”, “Nothing at All” from Joshua Tree on Kimmel: Watch
Half a year may feel like a lifetime ago, but in that time, Perfume Genius’ Set My Heart on Fire Immediately has remained easily one of the best efforts of 2020. On Thursday night, Mike Hadreas’ project reminded us of this with a performance of “Jason” and “Nothing at All” on Kimmel. Hadreas and his band set up remotely at Joshua Tree for the performance, caked in dirt like they’d actually dragged their gear all the way from Los Angeles. But though the appearance was soiled, the magic hour “Jason” performance was as delicate and gorgeous as you’d expect from Perfume Genius. The band also played “Nothing at All” for an online exclusive, with the more dynamic song allowing Handreas to let himself go in energetic fashion. Watch both clips below. Editors’ Picks Perfume Genius recently an...
The Strokes Bring The New Abnormal to Saturday Night Live: Watch
The Strokes made their long overdue return to Saturday Night Live, serving as the musical guest for an episode hosted by comedian John Mulaney. It marked the band’s fourth time playing the late-night program, but their first appearance in nine years. Coming in support of their latest album, The New Abnormal, The Strokes performed “The Adults Are Talking” and “Bad Decisions” which interpolates Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself”. If you missed it, catch the replay below. The New Abnormal, The Strokes’ sixth album to date was released back in April. In his review of the album for Consequence of Sound, Tyler Clark called the Rick Rubin-produced LP “easily the freshest, most interesting album that The Strokes have released in more than a decade.” In other news, The Strokes frontman Julian Casab...
Busta Rhymes Performs “YUUUU” with Anderson .Paak on Fallon: Watch
Busta Rhymes dropped his star-studded comeback album Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God on Friday. The New York rapper celebrated his big release by stopping by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon later that evening to perform “YUUUU” — and he received some on-stage assistance from none other than Anderson .Paak. Backed by a live band and standing atop a proper stage, the gym rat and veteran rapper led his crew through a synchronized dance in time with the staccato rap song. He, Spliff Star, and .Paak all took turns spitting out their lines while dancing side to side, rolling their arms in the air, and staying light on their toes. Their chemistry was undeniable, and for performing to an empty room, they sure knew how to keep the mood high. Don’t miss the moment where B...
Elvis Costello Performs “Hey Clockface / How Can You Face Me” with Jon Batiste on Colbert: Watch
After months of anticipation, Elvis Costello will finally release his 31st studio album, Hey Clockface, tomorrow (October 30th). To promote the effort, the legendary musician appeared on Colbert Wednesday night to perform “Hey Clockface / How Can You Face Me” alongside A Late Show bandleader Jon Batiste. Holding his spring suspension microphone perhaps a little too close to his computer camera, Costello delivered what felt like a very old-timey performance despite all the technology involved. Batiste, as he always does, gamely played along at his piano, smiling the whole time. The pair also dusted off “Party Girl”, from Costello’s 1979 album Armed Forces, for a Play at Home online exclusive. Check out both performances below. Editors’ Picks Prior to playing his songs, Costello Z...
