EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING(WELL, NOT QUITE)

10 OF THE BEST CONCERTS AVAILABLE ON CD, DVD OR LEGAL DOWNLOAD

Nothing beats going to see your favourite band live and actually being there. Nevertheless there are a host of brilliant concert films, live albums and legal bootlegs now available. Whilst never as good as being there yourself, many of these capture brilliant live versions of classic songs in better sound quality than ever before. Here is a round up of ten of the best currently on the market - and the cheapest place to get them.

Oasis - There and Then (DVD)

With concert footage from the legendary sell out gigs in Main Road and Earls court in 1995 and 1996 respectively, this DVD captures Oasis at their best. The DVD also features interviews with all five band members, including Liam at his arrogant best and dense dumped rejects 'Bonehead' and 'Guigsy'. Liam may enter the frey wearing a dirty Umbro top looking like an A grade Mancunian mink - but he puts in an epic vocal performance. Featuring all the classics including The Masterplan, Live Forever, Cast no Shadow and Champagne Supernova, this DVD is a must have for any Oasis fan.

There and then can be snapped up for just £5.99 at Cd Wow.

Pink Floyd - Live at Pompeii (DVD)

A concert like no other. In 1972 Pink Floyd travelled to Pompeii to perform in the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheatre even more deserted than Rugby Park. Both the sound quality and visuals on this DVD are outstanding. Pink Floyd stopped at nothing to reproduce the sound of their original recordings, even to the point of having a live Wolf on stage to provide sound effects.

Pink Floyd - Live at Pompeii can be purchased from e-directory for just over Seven quid.

The Rolling Stones - The Stones in the park (DVD)

This concert is a far cry from the multimedia frenzy that accompanies the Stones current 'Bigger Bang' tour. The DVD is produced by Granada, and documents the Rolling Stones free concert in Hyde Park London, May 1969. The gig took on extra significance after the tragic death of ex-stones guitarist Bryan Jones only two days before. Stones in the park offers a perfect insight into 1960's culture, with all kinds of weird drugged up hippies on show alongside the Hells Angels. As well as classic concert footage, Stones in the park includes in depth interviews with Mick Jagger stoned out of his bollocks. In one such interview Mick stated the Stones didn't make any money from their concerts so they might as well do one for free. How times have changed …

Grab Stones in the park for under £8 at Foxy.co.uk

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Live in New York City (DVD & CD)

Bruce 'the Boss' Springsteen and the E Street band at their very best. If you ever doubted that Springsteen is one of the greatest guitarists ever seen, watch this DVD. His performance in this concert is simply outstanding. The E Street band also play their part and to be honest, it's just not the same without them. I am eagerly waiting for the next time the two get together for a big tour. Available on both CD and DVD, Live in New York City includes vintage performances of classics like The River, Badlands, Murder Incorporated and Born too Run.

DVD available for a tenner at CD Wow; CD is 14.99 at amazon

R.E.M - A Perfect Square (DVD)

How I wish I was at this gig! Set in the picturesque German Square of Weisbaden, I would have been have been in my element watching R.E.M with a pint of cold Erdinger next the fountain. With the gig taking place in 2003, the setlist is a mix of eighties classics alongside more modern hits from Monster, Up and Reveal. Stipe is on form, and the crowd help with atmosphere to make this one of R.E.M's better DVD's.

Under £7.50 at Shop-com.co.uk

Led Zeppelin - DVD

This DVD has all the Led Zeppelin you could possibly want on two discs. Seventies performances at the Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Gardens and Knebworth are the main features. Expect to see a lot of epic drum and guitar solos. This is simply one of the best Rock n Roll bands ever, captured in their element. I need say no more.

£16.75 at CdWow

Depeche Mode - 101 (DVD @ CD)

Probably the most important concert in Depeche Mode's history, 101 was filmed in June 1998 during the 'Music for the Masses' tour. 101 captured what was a momentous moment in music history. Over 60,000 people attended the gig at the Pasadena Rose bowl in California - never before had an alternative music act sold out such a large venue. Both the band and the crowd knew it too, which made for both a dramatic and emotional concert. Compared to today the band's outfits do look incredibly ludicrous, but don't let that put you off. This concert film encapsulates the 1980's in a nutshell.

U2 - Go Home: Live From Slane Castle (DVD)

When thinking about U2 and momentous concerts, most would point to the bands Red Rocks gig of 1983 which featured on the album 'Under a Blood Red Sky'. This gig did put the Irishmen on the map, nevertheless I've gone for the bands more recent concert at Slane Castle. The sound quality of the DVD is amongst the best I've ever heard, and U2's sound setup on the day was a lot more 'rockier' than normal. Bono had buried his father earlier on in what was clearly an emotional day, and this is evident in his performance - probably his best since the ZOOTV tour. A few of the bands newer (and weaker) efforts in the middle of the setlist are the only flaws on an otherwise perfect DVD.

£12.95 delivered at filmnight.com

Pearl Jam Live in Madrid: 7th September 2006 (Mp3 Download)

Pearl Jam have long been leading the way in terms of bootlegs, with cd's of their all gigs being made available. Now all the bands gigs are available for legal download at their own official bootleg site. One of the best live bands around, Pearl Jam never stick to the same setlist, and often surprise with 3 hour long shows including b-sides and covers. The bands show in Madrid last year was no different. Pearl Jam's setlist spawned tracks from their debut record through to their more recent self titled album. It was the first time in almost a decade that Pearl Jam had returned to Spain, and the crowd made the most of it, singing almost every word. This concert is worth downloading for the epic version of Yellow Ledbetter alone, probably one of the best b-sides ever produced.

This gig can be purchased and legally downloaded from Pearl Jam's site: https://bootlegs2.pearljam.com/

Moby - Hotel Tour Live (DVD)

I don't think I've ever seen a concert from one act with such different songs contained in one setlist. From electronic, to rock n roll, to out and out dance music, this DVD has it all. Some of Moby's songs seem like they simply couldn't be reproduced properly live. However, a great backing band and some top notch equipment make it possible. Laura Dawn is highly impressive on vocals alongside Moby, singing a quite dazzling version of 'Honey' mixed with Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love'. Even some of Moby's dance tracks that I would normally skip without even thinking seem so much improved on this live DVD. The only low point is a rather boring rendition of Lou Reed's 'Walk on the Wild Side' towards the end. By that time however, those at the gig where probably too stoned to care.

Under £8 at selectcheaper.com

Written by Greg