Concert Movies: Why Do People Love Them?

Within recent years, movie theaters have seen a spike in interest in a particular genre: concert films. Audiences are willing to take the trip to the theater and immerse themselves in the environment just to watch these films, and for that there is a good reason. Concert movies are a high-quality, cinematic recording of a live musical performance. They are created with the goal of bringing the experience of a live concert to a wider audience. Typically these films offer multiple close-up angles of the performance, which creates an intimate experience between both the viewer and the artist.

In 2023, the film industry witnessed this genre skyrocket and garner a lot of positive attention. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, released that year, has become one of the highest-grossing concert films of all time, with $261.6 million in global revenue. That same year, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé opened in theaters a few months later, and kept concert films on an upward momentum.

There are many reasons as to why people love them so much. A big one is the affordability. People don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on tickets and even more on travel and accommodations, instead they can spend considerably less yet still receive an excellent experience. These films also provide what is often referred to as the “best seat in the house” because of the quality videography and the editing done in post before the film is released. They also are a way for fans to come together and create their own little community in a small theater for a few hours, enjoying music from some of their favorite artists.

Although these films are recently making a strong comeback, they actually first emerged in the 1970s. Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii was released in 1972 and marked a turning point for the genre. The band filmed an hour and a half-long set in an empty amphitheater, and created something that had really been seen yet in the industry.

Some other concert films from the later half of the 20th century include AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (1980) and Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991). These live performances were all so iconic that they were filmed and turned into something that anybody could watch, regardless of if they attended the live show or not. And, they provided a way for those who did attend the event to relive it, because the energy of the concerts wasn’t able to be dampened even through the screen.

Newer concert films have more of a cinematic value to them. They include costume changes and intricate dance routines, supply looks into the artist's emotions before a show, and even give insight into the creative direction and production. They are versions of live performances that capture their spectacle and intimacy, and are a way for fans to be transported into the sold-out arenas. Movie theaters are also more accessible than big stadiums, making it easier for those who aren’t able-bodied or those that have young children to attend these events.

Since their emergence, concert films have had a fast rise in popularity, especially following The Eras Tour and Renaissance. Fans are able to get intimate access to a live show that they might not be able to get otherwise, and interact with their favorite artists. They are able to react in a vast amount of ways including singing, dancing, and staring at the screen in awe. Concert movies allow people to experience many emotions and feelings, and they are a way that live performances can be preserved and enjoyed for a long time to come.

What is your favorite concert film? Leave a comment below.