OK, I just posted in General Music, asking what's your favorite rock soundtrack? Now I'm posting here about your favorite concert film. I know this could be in documentaries, but in truth, this is a good spot for it, since many concert films aren't straight documentaries. The Last Waltz, all of Spalding Gray's concert films, Robyn Hitchcock/Jonathan Demme's Storefront Hitchcock, Rattle and Hum, The Song Remains the Same (I saw it in a theatre, yuk) are all not documentaries, but then again as has been discussed on other threads, neither is Bowling For Columbine. Well this a long-winded way for me to get to my fave, Stop Making Sense. Now, I saw The Talking Heads during Stop Making Sense, in concert, as I mentioned in the Live Show section, and it has a special place in my heart. It was the last, best experience that I had with my mother who was in the onset of Alzheimer's, but she enjoyed herself immensely and we shaked our booty all night. When I saw the film at a primo theatre in 1984, it brought back memories, especially of David Byrne dancing with the lamp and wearing the "Big Suit", two images that seem to blow away most of what's come since. True, I don't get to as many concerts as I used to, but anybody want to turn anybody on to something else?

I agree, _The Last Waltz_ is pretty much the gold standard, mark as is _Stop Making Sense_. That's a great story you have to tell. I've been taking my Mom to see Springsteen ever since she discovered his music (and ass) through the "Glory Days" video. Those are good times.

One of my favorite (and largely forgotten owing to being unavailable for years) concert films is 1981's _Urgh! a Music War_. That was the year I was starting to seriously get into music and seeing 30 different performances from the likes of The Cramps, X, XTC and such made a huge impact on me.

Now Playing: Seattle's KEXP's live stream.

I admit when I started this, I was thinking of music concerts, but I realize that I omitted the most entertaining concert film ever, "Richard Pryor Live in Concert." Pryor had lots of films made of his concerts, but I'm referring to the first one with that EXACT title. In it, Pryor appears to be the wisest, most-talented and funniest performer on the planet, sharing personal stories and playing an assortment of human, animal and body-part characters. My wife and I have to watch it once or twice a year just to remember how good it is, and of course, to have a good laugh. It goes without saying that there's tons of swearing, but it's not for swearing's sake, but to make real points.

Dazed & Confused (Led Zeppelin)... I came home every day from high school and watched the whole thing (literally). My parents thought I was retarded...

My favorite concert movie has surprisingly not been mentioned by anyone..."Gimme Shelter."

I was blown away by it the first time I saw it. I must admit though that it lost some of its impact for me the next couple of times I saw it.

I don't know if it's my favorite, and it's not really much of a concert film (though it does include two shows), but Pavement's "Slow Century" is a really nifty set. A very fascinating look at one of my favorite bands. Plus, you get cool commentaries by rock stars Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon.

I don't really think Pryor counts as a "concert" but if you like him you should check out Dave Chappelle's one-hour HBO special. a lot of the best sketchs on the show come from that material. High-larious. $15 new on DVD

I'll throw mine in there for Stop Making Sense too. Awesome film, and the live version of Psycho Killer is superior to the album cut in my opinion. The Ween Live in Chicago DVD I picked up a while ago was a great purchase, perfect for Ween fans and newbies alike.

Stop Making Sense is one of my favorites. You can't discount last year's Led Zeppelin DVD (if it counts), either. And even though it's not music, David Cross' Let America Laugh is excellent, too.

Nothing like joining a thread two years late, but I've just seen Portishead's live at Roseland Concert. It's quite brilliant; original and cool.

In addition, I can't agree with the general consensus over The Last Waltz. I enjoyed the gig footage and music but the chat inbetween comes over as indulgent and contrived.

stop making sense cheered me up at a really crap time in my life,

also really like The Pixies club date in Boston, they band actually talked between songs and it was an over all warm and great performance.

Last waltz was great! but Hendrix at Monterey...of course. He played wild thing too well. the sounds and lighting was perfect i thought.

If you do one thing today, belive this. I am totaly blown away by Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble, Live At Montreux DVD. Stevie is a living guitar God, and clearly an incredible virtuoso. The footage is amazing! Check it out.